‘Get your dancing shoes on’ Electric Picnic Banter reveal party plans

Thursday night will be an epic one at Electric Picnic for Early Access ticketholders, thanks to another great party planned by the Electric Picnic Banter Facebook group.

The fun loving Facebook group that shares laughs and advice throughout the year, is now a firm player in what makes Electric Picnic great.

One of their boldest and best fun members is Theodore Baracas, otherwise known as Dubliner Ruaidhrí O’Hannigan.

He spilled all the plans to Laois Live / The Leinster Express, speaking at the media preview day on site in Stradbally.

“On Thursday night we have a five hour party in Terminus, we are going to do a giant singsong. We have Blessed the band playing with us for an hour. Then we’re doing Karaoke, then we’re doing dance tunes, probably till the early hours, hopefully.

“We have been raising money for My Lovely Ranch for the last few months. We are hoping to present them with a cheque as well. We are just doing the final figures, so hopefully we’ll get them a nice few bob,” Ruaidhrí said.

The Banter group has been holding Thursday parties in recent years, kicking it off with an incredible Rock the Boat world record.

“I think this is our third year, we broke the Guinness record for Rock the Boat that time, I don’t think Guinness recognised it, they wanted big bucks and we were doing it for charity so we didn’t go down that route.

“We did Wigfield Saturday Night last year and broke the record for that too.

“There’ll be a few surprises thrown in this year as well. Someone has to sing in the Karaoke but I won’t be telling you any songs I’m singing,” he said.

The Thursday Night Early Access passes allowed for up to 40,000 early entrants.

“They’re like gold dust,” said Ruaidhrí.

“I’d say it’s up around that amount who buy them now. All our Banter crew come in on Thursdays. Wednesdays some of them, with the camper vans.

“We are expecting 7,000 to 8,000 in the Terminus tent, it’s the biggest thing happening on Thursday night,” he said.

He has advice for campers ready for the first party of Electric Picnic 2026.

“Get down early, get your dancing shoes on. We’re open at 7pm, and we run straight through till 12. Bring your glo sticks, and your party attitude. And we want dancers.

“Anyone that wants to go on Theodore Baracas’s team, keep an eye out for him in the crowd. He’s looking for dancers and there’s whopper prizes to be won.”

The main arena will not open until Friday morning.

The 21st Electric Picnic takes place in the Cosby Estate in Stradbally, county Laois, from August 28 to 30, and is sold out.