Live Report: The Fynches breathe new life into classics at Electric Picnic

As the sun sets on the Sunday of Electric Picnic 2025, an eager crowd flock to Hazelwood's Survivor stage for a very unique set from The Fynches.

It's the first of two performances from them this evening- rather than do the same show twice, they have instead decided to cover the entirety of The Band's classic 1969 'Brown' album.

They explain that it didn’t take long for them to choose this album- as they launch into it, it’s clear why. These songs are obviously very fun to play, as their infectious joy seeps into the audience.

Keyboardist Oisin Walsh-Peelo can barely contain this enthusiasm, evidently struggling to remain seated for the chorus of 'Up On Cripple Creek.'

The Fynches at Electric Picnic 2025. Credit: Patrik Meier

Though they remain faithful to the original versions, the creativity and talent of the musicians onstage can be seen when they sprinkle a bit of themselves in.

Adding in mini solos between verses, or extended intros, the grins they share when they succeed in finding a groove shows how their creativity has a snowballing effect on one another.

Walsh-Peelo, evidently feeling the result of his animated playing, takes a minute to remove a jacket. A few minutes later his shoes come off, shortly followed by his socks

His bandmates implore him to stop there, ending the worlds longest striptease before it really gets going.

The set never misses a beat- rapid requests are fired to the sound engineer to increase or decrease volumes depending on the tune, but never at the expense of the fluidity of the show.

This tweaking pays off the most with 'Rocking Chair', which sees the cello and violin prioritised for a song dedicated by the group to grandparents, both living and dead.

Getting through the whole album in a burst of funky, retro jamming, they decide to close out the set with 'The Weight'. Though it doesn't appear on this album, the audience's cheer at the announcement indicates they don't really mind.