From Stradbally with Sound: The Irish Artists Owning Electric Picnic

Electric Picnic has a way of reminding you why Stradbally is the beating heart of Ireland’s music calendar. The international headliners may grab the glossy headlines, but this year the real magic came from closer to home. Irish acts didn’t just show up — they stole the weekend. From quiet moments of harmony to chaotic, crowd-surfing madness, here’s how homegrown talent lit up Electric Picnic.

Hozier

Of course, no recap of the Irish acts at EP would be complete without Hozier. His headline set was a masterclass in how to hold a crowd of tens of thousands. With songs that have travelled the globe, he still made Stradbally feel like home. Under the festival lights, it wasn’t just a headline slot — it was a victory lap for one of Ireland’s greatest musical exports.

Amble

On Saturday evening, 50,000 people turned up for Amble. Let that sink in. For a group built on intimacy and quiet harmonies, seeing them hold a crowd of that size was breathtaking. Their set was the kind of pause-button moment Electric Picnic is famous for — stripped back, heartfelt, and powerful enough to hush a field that big.

Khakikid

Khakikid brought absolute chaos — and it was glorious. His whole set felt like a party teetering on the edge of collapse, but somehow always in control. My personal highlight? Datenight. It was sweaty, unpolished, and absolutely electric. The kind of track that has you grinning like you’re in on the best-kept secret.

photo: Hot Press

Kneecap

Few acts pull a crowd like Kneecap. People packed in early, long before they hit the stage, and the anticipation paid off. Their performance wasn’t just music — it was cultural firepower. They brought the Irish language to the forefront with the same swagger as any global hip-hop act, and the crowd roared it back. It was rowdy, political, iconic — a set that’ll be talked about for years.

Photo: Hot Press

Inhaler

Inhaler showed up to the main stage like they’d been born there. Their set was proof that they’ve outgrown the “next big thing” tag — they are the big thing. Watching the field erupt during their anthems, you could feel the collective pride in how far they’ve come. More than any slick moment, what stood out was how they brought everyone together in one massive singalong.

Kingfishr

If there was one set that summed up the magic of a festival field, it was Kingfishr. Eddie didn’t just sing to the crowd — he became part of it, climbing onto an audience member’s shoulders to belt out Shot in the Dark right in the middle of the sea of fans. It was goosebump-inducing, a reminder that sometimes the best festival moments are the most unpredictable.

Photo: Hot Press

Other Irish Highlights

Beyond the acts I managed to catch, Electric Picnic was stacked with Irish brilliance this year. The Cranberries delivered one of the weekend’s most emotional moments, bringing out Dermot Kennedy in a surprise that had social media exploding before the set even finished. Barry Can’t Swim blended electronic textures with a distinctly Irish edge, while festival favourites The Coronas proved once again why they’re such a reliable live force. The Academic kept the indie kids happy with their punchy set, and The Saw Doctors showed why they remain a beloved part of the Irish live landscape.

Electric Picnic 2025 wasn’t just a showcase of music — it was a showcase of Ireland itself. From stadium-ready anthems to intimate harmonies, from political fire to unexpected collaborations, the sheer range of talent on display was staggering. The world-class international acts may have filled the top of the poster, but it was the Irish artists who gave the weekend its soul.