Melvin Benn on Electric Picnic 2026: “Astral Weeks was a massive record for me growing up, so I’m delighted that Van is finally playing the Picnic"

Just when you thought that the Electric Picnic lineup couldn’t be any tastier, in pings an email announcing the addition of Celtic soul legend Van Morrison, folk sensations Amble and pop superstar-in-the-making Aaron Rowe to the Stradbally extravaganza.

No one is more chuffed about these last minute signings than EP gaffer Melvin Benn.

“Astral Weeks was a massive record for me growing up, so I’m delighted that Van is finally playing the Picnic,” Melvin enthuses, taking time out from another frenetic festival-organising day. “Everybody who’s seen him recently tells me he’s in top, top form.”

Having been side-of-stage for his Hot Press History In The Making appearance in January, I can confirm that The Man has been ripping it up goodo recently.

Van Morrison at History in the Making - The Concert at 3Arena on February 6th, 2026. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

It was also love at first sight for Melvin in 2024, when he witnessed Amble making their Picnic debut in Electric Arena.

“I was blown away,” he resumes. “I remember texting Denis Desmond afterwards and saying, ‘These guys are unbelievable!’ It was such a joyous, communal experience, with the crowd singing every word of every song back to them. It’s no surprise that they’ve gone from strength to strength since.”

Also very much on the up – and EP-bound – are Gurriers, Madra Salach and The Mary Wallopers, all of whom joined Kneecap in June for their Festival Republic-promoted show in Crystal Palace.

“It was a fantastic day,” Melvin beams. “My team described it as the easiest of all the gigs we’ve had at Crystal Palace. The atmosphere was so celebratory. From an audience point of view, Madra Salach really stole the show. They do a version of Sinéad O’Connor’s ‘Black Boys On Mopeds’, not an easy song to cover, which is spine-tingling.”

Madra Salach

The Wallopers, meanwhile, will be treating Picnickers to a sneak preview of their Paddywhackery album, out on September 18 and a veritable agitfolk classic.

“I’m pleased that bands continue to make political statements where it’s appropriate for them,” Melvin notes.

Also arriving at EP in fine festival form is Lewis Capaldi.

“He headlined Latitude for us in July, and it was an amazing performance. The warmth of the audience towards Lewis was incredible. They recognised the difficulties he’s been through and were rooting for him – and he delivered.”

I love the fact that Aaron Rowe’s career took off after Lewis and Ed Sheeran spotted him singing in a Dublin pub.

“There’s a normalness about both Lewis and Ed which I love,” Melvin reflects. “They still go to the pub for a pint and want to help young artists follow in their footsteps.”

AMAZING MUSICIANSHIP

Benn reveals that another of EP’s headliners, Zara Larsson, has “been on our wish-list for a very long time. She’s a superstar and seems to be growing by the minute. For that section of the Picnic audience, it’s going to be a hell of a show. She’s really on fire.”

As well as Stockholm Zara, we’ve also got Dunboyne Diana to look forward to.

“CMAT’s an extraordinary artist,” Melvin reflects. “Straight from the word go, she had a standout quality about her. She was willing to be different and hasn’t just done it through TikTok and Instagram. She’s gigged and gigged and gigged, perfecting her stagecraft and making every show a real occasion.”

CMAT at Electric Picnic 2024 by Jason Doherty

The same can be said of Geese (“They’ve played in the UK a lot this year and have always been incredibly well received; it’s a moment for them”) and Gorillaz (“Damon Albarn’s creativity is boundless; I think they’ll be one of my festival highlights”) – who are both at their best with a seething mass of bodies in front of them.

The Picnic will be an emotional affair for Fontaines D.C. whose manager and close friend Trevor Dietz tragically passed away in June.

“He touched everybody and was always a joy to work with,” Melvin says. “I spoke with the Fontaines’ UK tour promoter, Dan Roberts, just a couple of weeks ago. He said he’s lost his left shoulder, because Trevor always stood on his left when they were side-of-stage watching Grian and the guys.”

Also expect lots of Picnic love to be shown to Glen Hansard who, in various guises, was a Stradbally regular.

“He was just a normal human being – a warm person who’d talk to the cleaners, the promoters, the roadies, everyone. There was no superstardom – Glen was at home in everybody’s company. And that’s not even beginning to talk about his music… He was lovely.”

Melvin is delighted with the way Picnic-goers have taken to Croí, the “harmonious hub of music, movement and meditative activities” which is back for its third year in a row.

“In keeping with its name, it really has become the beating heart of the festival,” Melvin states. “The Serenity Garden area within it will be bigger this year, and I’m putting the Harp Ireland stage there. It was a joy last year to have more than eighty harpists bringing their amazing musicianship to the Picnic.

“I’ve also completely enlarged the Survivor Stage area where Trenchtown was. There’ll be more seating, food, wellness and shade – we’re having to think a bit more about the weather now – down there. I’ve asked Trenchtown to concentrate on the Treasure Beach stage, which will still be a key part of the festival!

“Also new this year is a Barefoot Walk, so you can literally take your shoes and socks off and have a little walk in the grass to get some calmness. There are lots of little things happening in the woods and more art here and there.”

A FANTASTIC SCHEME

A must-catch this year in Croí is Mairéad, an Irish singer exiled in Los Angeles who’s opened for Dylan; also toured with the likes of Van Morrison, Elvis Costello and Tracey Chapman; and blends folk, jazz and Celtic soul to glorious effect on her new triple album, Love Is Everything.

“Mairéad has a warm soul and will be a delight,” Melvin says. “She and her husband, Liam Lynch, followed the American Green Card dream in the early ‘90s and it’s really worked out for them. Liam, who was our promoting partner all those years ago when we did the Guinness Fleadh in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Boston, is a fascinating character and is doing a talk in MindField.”

Picnic fans, meanwhile, are gently reminded to deposit all of their cans and plastic bottles in the distinctive Re-turn bins dotted around the festival site. Melvin’s praise for the Re-turn model is unstinting.

“It’s such a fantastic scheme,” he asserts. “I can’t get my head around why the UK isn’t following suit. They’ve come on board with us as a full partner this year. It’s lovely that Re-turn recognise what we do sustainability-wise and how important it is to the overall festival.”

This year’s Picnic comes just a week after the return of the English Premier League. As both a footie man and a promoter, what did Melvin make of the World Cup halftime show?

“I’m 100% with Wayne Rooney,” he chuckles, “complete crap!”