- Music
- 22 Mar 06
In what is one of the most sensational developments of the summer festival season, Damien Rice has been added to the line-up for Electric Picnic. However, Hot Press can reveal that, in addition to performing, the Kildare troubadour has committed to an even more ambitious role in the event.
In what is a first for an Irish festival, Rice will be hosting a special stage – a factor that is bound to add even greater riches to an already impressive line-up. Electric Picnic takes place over three days, starting Friday September 1 in Stradbally, County Laois.
While full details have yet to be revealed, it seems certain that the imprimatur of an artist who has won the respect of the business internationally for his independent stance, both as a songwriter and in his approach to the business, will be a key factor in attracting additional names.
Rice’s debut album O – which has been a total of a staggering 215 weeks in the Irish Top 75 – has sold close to two million copies worldwide and its songs have been featured in a number of movies, including the critically acclaimed Closer, which starred Julie Roberts.
Among the acts already revealed in Hot Press as being Stradbally-bound are Massive Attack, Basement Jaxx, Gary Numan and Groove Armada. The full line-up is set to be announced later this week, stay tuned to hotpress.com for details.
Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday March 24 priced €175 for the three days, including camping.