A Major Change Is Coming To The Electric Picnic Festival Next Year

For the first time ever, early arrivers at Elecrtric Picnic will be provided with entertainment on the Thursday night as the festival has announced an all-female comedy line-up to kick the 2018 festivities off. 

On Thursday August 30, the Hazel Wood stage will play host to some of Ireland’s funniest gals before the festival officially opens its gates on Friday August 31. 

The idea is the joint brainchild of festival Director Melvin Benn and Emily O’Callaghan, a sometime stand-up performer. A chance meeting between the pair at this year’s festival saw them both point out that there was a lack of female talent among the comedy line-up. 

Melvin noted how the idea developed from a UK Festival earlier this year, saying:

‘We launched a first initiative in the UK in August this year: ReBalance, which will enable future and current female musicians within the industry, to have the support they need to be recognised.  In Ireland our first step is to introduce an all-female comedy line up which will perform on Thursday night on the Hazel Wood stage. I must say I’m incredibly pleased Emily prompted me at this year’s picnic. The Thursday night will have incredible meaning as well as incredible comedians’