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KNEECAP ARE THE main act on the Electric Picnic’s primary stage this weekend, but their influence will also be felt on the two Irish-language stages throughout the festival, which kicks off today at the estate in the Village, County Laois.
The bold lads from Belfast are inspiring a new generation of Irish-language bands and singers who are challenging audiences with Irish-language material, and a handful of these rising stars will have the opportunity to perform in front of the crowds at the Picnic.
You might not have heard of Lisa Murray, Earthmover, Éire and Chulainn, Jessie and The Veil, and Little Kings yet, but you’re likely to become more familiar with them if you find yourself at An Chollchoill.
They are all singers and groups participating in Glór Ár Linne, an initiative by the contemporary music station Radio Rí Rá, supported by Dublin City Council and Éire Ildánach, aimed at encouraging a new generation of musicians to produce Irish-language material across a wide range of musical genres.
Aisling Ní Dhonnabháin, marketing manager at Radio Rí Rá, told The Journal: “There’s definitely a surge in this because of Kneecap’s influence, but it’s also part of an international movement in the sense that many groups are performing in languages other than English — like Spanish and Korean — and are finding success.”
Lisa Murray, a singer and songwriter from County Meath, and Earthmover, a post-rock band inspired by the works of Radiohead and Black Country, New Road, will perform in the Woodland tonight, alongside sets from John Spillane and Lost West.
On Saturday, Jessie and the Veil, a group led by lead singer Jessie Dingle, will be heard at An Collchoill along with Blathnaid Nic Cana and Piaras Ó Lorcáin, traditional singers from Armagh, IMLÉ, and Dysania.
Little Kings and Éire agus Chulainn will take the stage on Sunday night, as will Fianna Bána and DJ Ferdicious.
Don’t worry about missing out (#IOCA – #FOMO), as TG4 will broadcast live from the two Irish-speaking locations, the Collchoill and the Irish Tent, with a special 90-minute program on Sunday night starting at 9.30pm.
Síomha Ní Ruairc and John Sharpson will present Live from Electric Picnic. Over at the Irish Tent, located in the Mindfield, a wide variety of events are planned including dramas, workshops, and a panel discussion featuring Catherine Connolly, the only official candidate so far in the presidential race.
Ráidió na Life 106.2FM has organised the schedule of events for the Tent, and among the highlights will be a panel discussion on Irish-language filmmaking featuring Colm Bairéad, director of The Quiet Girl, alongside Deirbhile Ní Churraighín from TG4 and other expert guests discussing the future of Irish-language cinema.
There may also be some spaces left in the Gaeltacht camping area at Electric Picnic again this year, despite overwhelming demand for spots there. Various events will take place throughout the weekend, with Irish as the language of the site. Tickets must be reserved through Ticketmaster, and there will be a dedicated wristband.
The Journal’s Gaeltacht initiative is supported by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
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