The Murder Capital

The Murder Capital are Dublin’s much buzzed about post-punk group, who’ve been making waves with their ferociously energetic tunes. Singer James McGovern’s manic, confrontational stage presence perfectly complements the band’s thumping material, which has echoes of Gang Of Four, Killing Joke and Fugazi. For a frantic blast of relentless alt-rock, The Murder Capital won’t be bettered at the Picnic.

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It’s already been a hell of a year for this talented outfit, and we’ve a feeling there are plenty more highlights on the horizon. The atmosphere should be at fever pitch for their hotly anticipated Picnic slot, which is another landmark moment. Buoyed by the absolutely stellar success of their self-titled debut album, the Kildare pop-rockers have taken another huge stride forward – and the likes of ‘Never Change’ and ‘Addicted To You’ already feel like much-loved festival anthems.

WALKING ON CARS

In an era of cynicism and social media-endorsed snobbery, this Dingle-based group’s tale is one to warm the cockles. Forming during one of our bleakest winters (which, in fairness, could be any year at all really), these five school-friends caught lightning in a bottle when they decided to write music together. Their debut Everything This Way dented the top end of charts across Europe and they’ve notched up tens of millions of streams from fans eager to sink their teeth into their brand of impassioned indie-pop. A much-loved staple of Irish festival season, make sure you get down the front nice and early for their set as it’ll be absolutely rammed.

GAVIN JAMES

Blessed with a voice that could charm the stars from the sky, this golden larynxed Dubliner’s march towards greatness is seemingly unstoppable. After sharing stages with friends and fans like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift and performing on prime time TV shows including Dancing With The Stars and The Late Show With James Corden, he’s firmly established himself as an arena-filling headliner. The singer has achieved this courtesy of his soulful debut Bitter Pill and a string of critically acclaimed standalone singles. Electric Picnic may very well be his biggest triumph yet.

WYVERN LINGO

A huge favourite here at Hot Press towers, this Bray-based trio delivered on their huge potential and then some with their self-titled debut. An opus which effortlessly confirmed they’re one of the best around when it comes to lush harmonies and subtle-yet-seductive hooks, if it’s super-slick slices of R&B and electronic-flavoured goodness you’re searching for, then look no further. Wyvern Lingo are no slouches in the live department either, and the hard-touring three-piece have notched up rave reviews for their show. Miss their appearance at the Picnic at your peril.

HUDSON TAYLOR

It’s been a vintage year for this much-loved Dublin duo. Back in January, the folk-rockers sold out their UK and European tour and then the brothers went on to complete their first lap of America in the spring, and made their TV debut there on Fox’s Good Day New York. They also found time to unveil a new EP, Feel It Again, which graced the Top 5 in the Irish album charts. This summer they add to their highlight reel with a show at Stradbally and if they drop ‘Run With Me’ into their set, it’ll doubtless prompt one of the biggest singalongs of the weekend.

Versatile

With a major Olympia Theatre show just announced, now is the time to catch satirical Ringsend duo Versatile on their journey to becoming Irish rap legends. Casper Walsh and Eskino Supreme, aka Casey Walsh and Alex Sheehan, have been making waves in recent times with self-made videos ‘She Goes Out With A Redhot’, ‘Perfume’ and the the absolutely outrageous 'Ketamine'. Versatile’s lyrics are funny, provocative, self-effacing and beautifully apt. They're rarely seen at a festival slot without a crowd of rabid fans behind them.

David Keenan

Inspired by the classical literature of Wilde, Yeats and the boys, the Dublin singer-songwriter fuses plaintive piano chords with a distinctive, wholly unique vocal style. The Dundalk native has gained further exposure with high-profile support slots for the likes of The Hothouse Flowers, Damian Dempsey and Glen Hansard. You can expect an evening of evocative lyricism and hypnotic arrangements, as Keenan seduces you with a whisper, then blows your mind with his awesome, soaring voice.

Kojaque

Dublin MC Kevin Smith, as Kojaque, is set to introduce Stradbally to his distinct style of avant hip-hop. The rapper underpins his tales of working class life with inventive beats, atmospheric soundscapes and even jazz saxophone flourishes. Kojaque takes an imaginative approach to rap – even releasing a concept album themed around a deli-counter. For a delightfully skewed, musically sophisticated angle on contemporary Irish hip-hop, Kojaque is your man.

Soak

SOAK’s star has been in the ascendant since signing with the Rough Trade record label, with her claiming of the Choice award for her brilliant 2015 LP, Before We Forgot How To Dream, just one of many highlights to date. Subtle and sweet, SOAK’s wise, melancholic material is mature and reflective, much belying her youth. If you’re searching for some tuneful respite away from the more hedonistic delights of The Picnic, take shelter in the company of SOAK.