Electric Picnic 2025: Friday round up!

Kicking off the weekend's festivities at Electric Picnic, DUG descended on the Salty Dog stage for an unforgettable set that spanned bluegrass and trad sensibilities. As they gear up for the release of their debut album, Have At It!, the duo's set comprised mainly songs from their upcoming record, with some treats for the real trad heads. Standouts included the Americana-infused 'Have At It!' and the resplendent 'Jubilee'.

Meanwhile, Sweets sauntered on the Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow stage for a rollicking set. From the first note, Sweets delivered a heavy metal assault laced with unexpected twists, melancholic vocals drifting into grunge-tinged refrains, before plunging headlong into relentless, distorted riffage. There was little space to breathe, as each track bled seamlessly into the next, held firmly together by bassist Bertie Kelly’s sticky, groove-driven bass lines.

Alessi Rose next took over the 3 Music Stage for a set that captured the singer's unending stage charisma and crystal-clear vocals. The last time Rose played in Ireland was earlier this summer, for an opening slot for Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism tour. This time, though, she took charge of the stage all by herself, the picture of a church altar projected on the screen behind her.

Alessi Rose at Electric Picnic. 29 August 2025. Copyright Liam Murphy.

On the ArtLot stage, Meath native Calum Agnew delivered a set that is able to balance the energy of a full band with the intimacy of a true singer-songwriter. Backed by a stellar seven-piece outfit, he commands the stage with style, flair, and an infectious confidence that quickly gets the crowd moving and grooving.

Meanwhile on the main sage, Conan Gray offered an emotional journey of a set on the Electric Picnic main stage, pulling songs everywhere from his early YouTuber days to his COVID-era TikTok virality to his latest indie folk pop record released earlier this month. At Electric Picnic, Gray was our 'Heather'. He has done it all. From making YouTube vlogs in the early 2010s from his home in Texas to having international crowds scream out his lyrics at festivals in 2025, he has truly made it -- and his EP set serves to prove this in spades.

Conan Gray at Electric Picnic. 29 Aug 2025. Photo: Abigail Ring/hotpress.com

Over at Coke Studio, the Dublin rapsmith Curtisy got off to a flying start. Strutting across the stage in a I Love Tallaght t-shirt, the Jobstown rapper was both playful and proud, dragging fans up from the crowd and high-fiving them mid-bar. Tracks from his Choice Prize–nominated What Was The Question? and 2025 recent mixtape Beauty In The Beast formed the spine of the set. ‘Tree Sap’ drew in the crowd with its sly wit, while the explosive ‘Landmine’ shook them awake with rapid-fire flows that proved he’s one of the finest bar-spitting technicians we’ve got.

Indie-pop heavyweight meanwhile took to the 3 Music Stage for a killer set. During her 45 minute set, Suki Waterhouse explored a wide array of sounds, alternating between powerful rock-tinged numbers and more straight forward pop songs. On the track ‘OMG’, she offered sulfurous and fun soundscapes that set the crowd into a dancing frenzy, while ‘Blackout Drunk’, a tongue-in-cheek but more stripped back number, elicits tent-wide clapping and singing.

The arena was electric in both name and spirit for The Academic. As they sauntered out to War’s 1975 classic ‘Why Can’t we be Friends?’ it’s to nobody's surprise of disappointment that they kicked off the gig with their song of the same name. Based on the crowd’s enthusiasm alone, there’s no denying their musical ability- as they ripped into their set, an element of loudness that’s usually lost in headphones or over the radio was suddenly present.

The Academic at Electric Picnic 2025. Credit: Cat Gundry-Beck

On the main stage, Friday co-headliner Chappell Roan swaggered on stage to deafening applause and cheers. The last time the queer pop sensation came to these shores was last September, where she played an unforgettable set at 3Olympia before hundreds of adoring, lucky fans. Chappell's set covered the bulk of her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, the self-assured masterstroke that shot the singer to stratospheric heights of celebrity stardom with such hits as 'Pink Pony Club' and 'HOT TO GO!'.

Chappell Roan at Electric Picnic on August 29th, 2025. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

A startling cover of Heart's 'Barracuda' offered a standout with its faithful guitar riffage and rollicking vocals from the Ann Wilson-incarnate. The liberating anthem 'Pink Pony Club' took things to an even higher level, making Chappell's set a frontrunner for the best set of the weekend, delivering and endless stream of sonic and dance-worthy resplendence.

Over at the Electric Arena, The Saw Doctors brought their rousing, plugged-in rock tunes to the stage. Tunes like ‘I Useta Love Her’ saw the band lending the chorus to their fans, who eagerly jump at thee opportunity to get involved. The stage was an apparently busy one- a great mixture of saxophone, guitars, accordions and backing vocalists created a fantastic carnival of sound, one that has become synonymous with the band.

Co-headliner Hozier brought the Friday EP festivities to a startling close. Most of the Wicklow singer's setlist tackled themes of love, especially of the doomed variety, and loss. Such romantic tracks as the mid-set belters 'Like Real People Do',  'Would That I' and 'Cherry Wine' prove this in spades. Such punch-drunk romanticism runs the gamut of the singer's essence.

Hozier at Electric Picnic. 29 Aug 2025. Copyright Liam Murphy

Closing out the set, it would be remiss of Hozier if he didn't end with 'Take Me To Church', the queer anthem and the hit song that started it all for the Irish songsmith. The staunch piano rock ballad makes for hair-raising finale, with each and every punter draining what remains of their vocal chords to join Hozier on the chorus. As the final notes ring out, a massive fireworks display brightens the night sky with a colourful fantasia. An incredible start to Electric Picnic, Saturday is gearing up to be just as electrifying!