By Ava Farrelly
Electric Picnic (or, as 2026 mud survivors call it, ‘EP’) went ahead in full swing this August.
Although the festival quite literally took place in the trenches, the musical acts and headliners
saved the fun from the horrendous weather.
I had the incredible opportunity to be at the festival this year. It was my first time going, and
it will definitely not be my last. Although I came home reminiscing about the weekend, I do
wonder if, had the lineup not been as incredible as it was, I would have enjoyed myself as
much as I did. Regardless, tickets for next year are already sold out, and I have made it my
mission to get my hands on a ticket somehow.
My big question – or should I say concern – is who will be headlining the infamous Irish
festival?
My personal contenders (in no specific order) are as follows:
Tate McRae has just released the new single “Housewife”, and it is already on constant replay
in my house. She is expected to drop a new album within a few months, and if it is anything
like this first song, we are in for a treat. Tate’s music is not her only strength. She captivates
attention as she performs on stage and brings an unmatched level of confidence to her show.
Her energy and songs bring that ‘Hot Girl Summer’ vibe that everyone craves. This is what is
needed at Electric Picnic when you are sleep-deprived and have not showered in days. Her
level of commitment to an extraordinary performance brings a whole new level of what is
expected of music artists on stage.
Another incredible performer is Troye Sivan, who just released his new album “She’s the
Best”. I saw him in the 3Arena the last time he came to Dublin. Since I was only a partial fan
at the time, I bought the tickets on an impulse buy, not expecting much. To this day, when
people ask me what my favourite concert is, I name Troye Sivan. As an avid concert addict,
that is the highest compliment I can give. If Troye Sivan gets the opportunity to headline EP, I
guarantee you, he will not disappoint. His rave and synth-pop songs envelop you into a state
of pure bliss. You will dance the night away as he takes you into a realm of ethereal
happiness. Troye as a headliner will make you leave all your worries at the mucky campsite,
where all you have is a sleeping bag and a dream. If he headlined, his performance would be
memorable in the best way possible.
My final proposal for a headliner is the ‘sad girl of the summer’, Olivia Rodrigo. Her latest
album, “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love”, has been in the Billboard Top Five since its
release in June. Electric Picnic is quite a musically diverse festival, so I feel Olivia’s piano
ballads would be a nice change of pace after following Troye Sivan’s rave atmosphere. My
main reason for wanting her to perform is that her music brings people together. Olivia’s
concerts are encompassed by an overwhelming sense of girlhood and community. Her songs
are so emotional and honest that they make you confront yourself in a multitude of ways you
did not expect. If you’re at a festival with friends, dancing and/or crying your heart out to these songs would be a perfect bonding moment. Olivia’s music perfectly captures the pain
and beauty of being alive and in love. Considering she is not coming to Ireland on her tour,
the least she can do is stop by the biggest festival in the country to give us an unforgettable,
cathartic experience!
I really do hope Electric Picnic pulls through with a great lineup for 2027; I honestly feel that
even if one of the artists I mentioned got to perform, it would be an incredible addition to the
festival. Each of them brings something unique to their performances, but most importantly,
they bring people together. Specifically at festivals, is that not the main goal? Let’s hope
Electric Picnic thinks so.