Live Report: The Scratch deliver an explosive set to a packed Rankin's Wood

Rankin’s wood is surely at capacity. No matter where you stand in the tent, the crowd is as dense as it is front and centre.

Wedged together, it feels like half of the festival’s population has caught wind of the hype that surrounds The Scratch, and the band wastes no time in proving the praise is deserved.

Exploding into their set, the rumbling sound of lead singer Dan Lang’s unique drum setup echoes around the tent like a shockwave.

Wielding two L-shaped, tape encased drumsticks, Lang’s percussion sounds similar to that of bodhrán, which contributes heavily to the band’s distinctly Irish sound.

The Scratch at Electric Picnic. Credit: Maya Solanki

This sound, combined with the bands rapid, harmonised lyrics makes them sound sort of like Horslips on crack.

Guitarists Jordan O’Leary and Conor Dockery display their incredible talent, but it’s a hard watch- anyone who’s ever tried to play a guitar will flinch at the way they effortlessly play an acoustic guitar like an electric one.

As Lang rips his shirt off (to an ear-splitting cheer), he commands his fans to “get those garments up”. Gleefully obliging, shirts, handbags and even a pair of jorts are swung like flags above the sea of heads.

The Scratch at Electric Picnic. Credit: Maya Solanki

The energy radiating off the crowd is so intense that it’s a physical experience- one that Lang effortlessly controls, using his drumsticks like conductor’s batons to illicit cheers at his command.

One of the best moments from a set that could really be described as one big highlight comes with their cover of The Pogues’ Sally MacLennane. The Scratch’s version is an unsurprisingly metal-tinged version, but one that still stays true to the original.

In a way, this cover sums up The Scratch’s whole show- there’s trad elements that can be heard throughout, but it’s the entirely original aspects of the band’s sound that results in a jubilant crowd.