Live Report: Picture This own their biggest show yet at Electric Picnic

Picture This didn't let the rain dampen their spirits during their headline set at Electric Picnic last night. In fact, the Kildare natives appeared to be having the time of their lives - and so were the audience, who were treated to nearly two hours of non-stop infectious energy from the band.

Appearing in front of a record crowd on Saturday night, frontman Ryan Hennessy donned an outfit that would give Harry Styles a run for his money. Head-to-toe in black leather, complete with an extravagant fur-collared blazer, he worked the crowd like a well-seasoned rockstar. Of course, the band are still in their formative years, having gone viral with their first release 'Take My Hand' only five years ago. The trajectory of their career since then, however, has been nothing short of incredible.

Opening the show with 'Things Are Different' from their most recent album, Life in Colour, the crowd was behind the band from the get go. The remainder of their set included a hearty collection of both love and anti-love songs (with some highlights including 'Never Change,' 'Addicted to You,' and 'Unconditional'), but the mood was far from mellow. A guitar was flung in the air, a mic stand was smashed, and a brief strip tease by Hennessy revealed an Irish soccer jersey underneath his eccentric ensemble.

Picture This at Electric Picnic 2022. Photos: Liam Murphy

If there's one thing that their performance proved, it's that Picture This are capable of much more than soppy love songs. They showcased their versatility with upbeat pop songs like 'LA House Party' and 'Winona Ryder,' and their talent for working a crowd is unrivalled. Hennessy's vocals remained flawless throughout his non-stop enviable dance moves, and the entire band gave everything to a performance that ended with each member lying on the stage floor.

With the crowd's "Olé Olé" chants ringing in their ears, it was clear that the band's remarkably fast rise to fame is not something they take for granted. Hennessy appeared awe-struck as he thanked the crowd for their unwavering support several times throughout the night, and it was clear he was savouring every second of being in the spotlight.

The highlight of the night was an exclusive performance of their brand new song, 'Get On My Love,' which featured a hair-raising special appearance from the Dublin Gospel Choir. By the second verse, the entire audience was singing along to the never-before-heard track, which oozed with soul while staying true to the catchy pop sound that the band is known for.

Saving 'Take My Hand' until the very end, the crowd began chanting its lyrics before Hennessy even started singing it. In his own words, "this is the song that made the band," and it's easy to see why. The crowd reaction was one of the biggest of the weekend so far, and the band didn't take it for granted.

Even if their music isn't your cup of tea, it's difficult not to be impressed by the Kildare outfit as they reminisce about the surreality of becoming online sensations overnight. Since then, Picture This have truly honed their own brand of cinematic pop rock. They've accumulated hundreds of thousands of digital streams, sold out arenas and stadiums around the world, and released three chart-topping albums.

Their performance at Electric Picnic last night proved that they're only getting bigger.