Electric dreams...and picnics

Long after the last sodden drops have been wrung from the ineffective raincoats...the memory lingers on.   And a good one at that.

Considering I only caught the last third of the weekend, as unexpected tickets were belatedly bestowed, I am now enamoured with the first weekend of September. From the fairy lit forest trail to follow at the entrance, to the feast of entertainment that awaits you on the other side of the security folk; carousels, giant tulips, disco balls and tribal flags, the effort that goes in to this knees-up is not to be snuffed at.

Hot Chip on Saturday night drew a great crowd and palpable anticipation, flooring the audience with hits from the off. Not ones to reside motionless behind their instruments, the ferocity of their performance was as much of a joy to watch (if you're vertically gifted) as it was to listen to (vertically challenged). The Frames celebrated their 20th anniversary on the main stage with a feeling of mutual delight from both band and audience. That, combined with Damien Dempsey's surprise appearance for 'The Auld Triangle' led to many suffering vocal chords come Sunday morning.

Pantibar's ThisIsPopBaby stage saw some psychedelic cailini in full Irish dancing dress, wrap a willing crowd around their collective fingers, with everything from Lady Gaga to doo-wop Underworld covers, with wild fiddles to boot.

Those of you who forayed in to the forest after dark, while dodging others foraying to the jacks - au naturel, were rewarded with the bountiful treasure that was the Salty Dog Saloon. A pirate's boat-cum-stage with a beach shack bar complete with barrels and tables,that felt like a secret shindig that everybody was in on. Aboard the boat the tightest funk band ever, with a dirty brass section, kept revelers (kids included) doing the jungle boogie until 5am on Sunday morning.

 

Regardless of all the high jinx at the festival-goer's disposal, the picnic still has it's naysayers. Even I must admit some of the clueless stewards encountered and the poor lighting to aid the navigation of campsites and car parks did detract somewhat when all you want to know is where a stage, a toilet or your car is...

But claims that it's try-hard or tragically hip overlooks how the little details like coloured fish hanging from trees, white flags billowing with people's personal wishes attached or even ostrich burgers, make a difference. People don't want to feel that they've bought in to some templated festival product, but rather that someone has tailored the little discoveries to be made across the site, to add to their experience.

It doesn't come across as gimmicky or painfully quirky, just a break from the usual festival machine, and who doesn't want a final fling before Summer's end? 

If it's not your cup of jasmine infused green tea, you know what you can do.