Esmeralda Road look ahead to Electric Picnic: "Being in a band at our level, you have a real chance to win people over"

Charlie Magill
ESMERALDA ROAD
Electric Arena / Sunday, August 31 / 2.15pm

"I’ve never actually been to Electric Picnic, but what’s drawn me to it is the sheer size – it’s the biggest in Ireland. Then there’s the diversity of acts. There’s so many different people playing that there’s something for everyone.

"It’s the buzz you look forward to, isn’t it? You meet interesting people, especially at a festival that big – and being in a band at our level, you have a real chance to win people over.

"That’s why we’ve been in our studio, going flat out basically, the last couple of months. We’re working on a way to elevate our live-set above just getting up and playing songs and leaving. We’re really trying to turn the half-an-hour into a spectacle.

"I like the rewarding feeling you get after the set. People have no idea who you are, and by the end, they’re dancing with you – you’ve taken them on that kind of journey. That’s probably the best bit, if you can pull it off.

"From the line-up, I’m most looking forward to seeing Chappell Roan, because – duh!"

Electric Picnic returns to Stradbally Hall in Co. Laois from August 29–31.

Read the full Electric Picnic Special in the current issue of Hot Press: