Cream of Laois sparkles at Electric Picnic

Conor Ganly
By Conor Ganly

News & Deputy Editor

Published 1st Sep 2025, 19:33 GMT
Laois acts shine at Electric Picnic in Stradbally. Pics: Alf Harveyplaceholder image
Laois acts shine at Electric Picnic in Stradbally. Pics: Alf Harvey

Laois musicians and singers shine in Stradbally

Every year, the Electric Picnic has provided a platform for Laois talent to entertain and attract a bigger following, and 2025 was no different.

Timahoe Male Choir got most attention for their energetically entertaining Main Stage concert, others were also pleasing Picnicers with music and song.

Among the Laois artists entertaining were the Stradbally Community Choir who took to the Hazelwood Stage on Sunday afternoon.

Set up just a year ago, the Community group performed a range of hits that had their audience singing and dancing in the rain. MORE BELOW PHOTO.placeholder image
Set up just a year ago, the Community group performed a range of hits that had their audience singing and dancing in the rain. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Stradbally Community Choir. Pic: Alf Harvey

Another group that went down a treat on Sunday was the Laois Music Generation-backed Laois Harp Ensemble.

The collective is made of local players who were as professional as any other who took the main stage in the Croí. A highlight of their set were songs in English and Irish by Fleadh Cheoil champion and Camross Comhaltas member Laura Scott. The Ensemble included two Laois tundes in their performance. MORE BELOW PHOTO.placeholder image
The collective is made of local players who were as professional as any other who took the main stage in the Croí. A highlight of their set were songs in English and Irish by Fleadh Cheoil champion and Camross Comhaltas member Laura Scott. The Ensemble included two Laois tundes in their performance. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Members also took to the stage of the first-ever Electric Picnic Harp stage late on Sunday in Croí.

Laois talent also graced the enchanting Hazelwood stage through the weekend.

Among them were dancers from the Dance On Stage School in Mountmellick who competed in the annual Electric Youth competition run by Youth Work Laois in advance of the Electric Picnic. MORE BELOW PHOTO.placeholder image
Among them were dancers from the Dance On Stage School in Mountmellick who competed in the annual Electric Youth competition run by Youth Work Laois in advance of the Electric Picnic. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Dance On Stage at the Picnic. Pic Alf Harvey

A total of eight Mountmellick teenagers, all of whom attend Mountmellick Community School, were lucky enough to win a chance to perform on both Saturday and Sunday at Electric Picnic. They are the first dance group to ever win a place in this competition.

Ruth Rawlinson, Roisin Rawlinson, Sarah O'Baro, Olivia Falade, Amber Owens, Lily Donohoe, Lacey Dent, Amerah Bennett, Katie Dunne and Alexis Kelly make up Dance on Stage.

Also on Sunday, Portlaoise band The Controversy performed at The Hazelwood Stage after winning a chance to play at the Picnic at the Electric Youth final in the Dunamaise Arts Centre in August. MORE BELOW PHOTO.placeholder image
Also on Sunday, Portlaoise band The Controversy performed at The Hazelwood Stage after winning a chance to play at the Picnic at the Electric Youth final in the Dunamaise Arts Centre in August. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

The Controversy on stage. Pic: Alf Harvey

A big local following turn out early on Sunday to enjoy The Controversy gig. The group members are Erin Byrne, Adam Reilly, Aidan Dermody and Neive Lealth.

Another Laois band to entertain at the Picnic were Laois band Byro – formerly known as Coolboy – a four-piece indie rock band.

READ ALSO: The Laois Harp Ensemble on stage WATCH

The Laois band comprises of Tadgh O’Dwyer (lead vocals and guitar), Fionn Devoy (lead guitar), Ruairi Phelan (drums) and Alex Power (bass). They also performed on the Hazelwood Stage. Stradbally's very own Alice Laffan, Just Alice, also wowed crowds on Friday.

Lots of photos from the PICNIC HERE

Related topics:Electric PicnicStradballylaois festivals
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