As the main stage was being reset, crowds flocked to the the front barriers, awaiting the alternative pop queen, Billie Eilish. Her second time performing at the Stradbally festival is apres-pandemic this time - giving the singer time to mature as an artist an elevate her stage show - which *spoiler alert* she definitely achieved. Despite her young age, the artist is not one to underestimate, drawing by far the largest crowd of the festival thus far - and bringing an insane stage presence.

With the expectation of an incredible opening from the starlet, fans were certainly not let down with the strobe-sensation that was the beginning of opening track 'Bury a Friend'.

Dressed in head to toe Nike, the singer was accompanied by her brother, the renowned singer-songwriter Finneas. Delighted with the crowd's reaction, the singer launched quickly into her second track, 'I Didn't Change My Number', closely followed by 'NDA'.

Billie Eilish on Electric Picnic's Main Stage 2023. Photo: Miguel Ruiz

The singer has an exceptional amount of devoted fans, with a huge amount of people singing every word to even some of her lesser known songs. However, there was no question every single person could sing along to her TikTok viral track 'Therefore I Am'. 'Strange Addiction' came next with incredible red strobe lights hypnotising onlookers.

'I don't wanna be you' was melded in a mashup with 'Lovely', an unnecessary emotional attack on the crowd - as teenage girls all around me cried into bucket hats and pints of Orchard Thieves.'My Future' only added fuel to the fire, with the singer's incredible vocals filling the stage in the way only Billie can.

In an Instagram story earlier today, the singer told fans she was suffering with a fever, and feeling really unwell - but that wasn't going to stop her performing an excellent show. She repeated this message, adding that she was going to need fans to give her as much as they could to make up for her lack of energy.

To be honest, there was no lack of energy in sight from the artist, who, despite being under the weather, performed some of the most vocally challenging music of her repertoire.

The artist asked fans to prove themselves - bursting into 'You Should See Me In A Crown', a moody, production filled anthem, from the singer's first album.

After a small break, strobe lights filled the stage for 'GOLDWING'.

As the opening chords of 'What Was I Made For' echoed around the main arena, fans gasped and screamed, preparing to sing as loud as they possibly could. The singer beckoned fans to sing along to the Barbie hit track, saying "I know you know this bit" as fans sang the iconic lines... "When did it end? All the enjoyment/I'm sad again, don't tell my boyfriend/It's not what he's made for/What was I made for?"

Electric Picnic 2023 - Friday 1st September 2023 - ©Glen Bollard / Festival Republic

'Oxytocin' and 'COPYCAT' were mixed next, with the singer dragging herself down the stage towards the crowd.

We got to the acoustic part of the set, much to the girl behind me's dismay, as she was already bawling just being in Billie's presence. The singer took to a stool while her brother came down to join her with a guitar in tow. The two performed acoustic versions of 'i love you' and 'Your Power' before another guitar was brought out for Billie, who strummed along while singing 'TV'.

Next, the singer mixed 'Bellyache' and 'ocean eyes' in an attempt to fit as many tracks into her set as possible. The singer took a really beautiful moment to encourage the crowd to hug the person they came with and tell them how much they love them, before she took us through a meditative breathing session.

'Lost Cause' preceeded one of the singer's most popular tracks 'when the party's over'. Unfortunately, I lost a bet that MUNA might come out and join the singer Boygenius had done in London a few days previously.

Billie Eilish on Electric Picnic's Main Stage 2023. Photo: Miguel Ruiz

A shortened version of 'all the good girls go to hell' got an exceptional reaction from the crowd, before 'everything i wanted', which the crowd very nearly deafened me for.

Picking up the pace once again, the singer blasted out her iconic 'bad guy', which had the main arena shaking. Confetti exploded over the stage as the singer moved into 'Happier Than Ever'. The crowd screamed their heads off as the singer belted the ending notes. As the singer reached a crescendo, fireworks exploded over the main stage, signifying the end of an exceptional day.

Having seen Eilish at the 2019 edition of the festival, I wasn't surprised at the sheer power of her performance, but I was taken aback at the growth she's show over the last few years.

A concert I didn't want to end, I trekked back to my tent with a massive smile on my face. What a talent - that's how it's done.