Laois County Council Approves Electric Picnic Festival 2025 Plans

Laois County Council has officially approved the organization of the Electric Picnic festival for 2025, marking the largest edition of the event to date. Scheduled to take place from August 28 to August 31, 2025, at Stradbally Hall, the festival is expected to host approximately 80,000 attendees daily, featuring performances from prominent artists such as Hozier, Chappell Roan, and Becky Hill. The council's decision comes after EP Republic Ltd submitted a comprehensive license application in March, which was subject to rigorous review and public consultation.

The anticipated cost of hosting the festival in 2025 is projected to be between €25 million and €30 million, reflecting a significant increase in scale compared to previous years. The 2024 event hosted 75,000 attendees, indicating a growth of 5,000 participants for the upcoming festival. Melvin Benn, CEO of Electric Picnic, emphasized the economic impact of the festival on the local community, noting that it provides substantial opportunities for local businesses and traders. “Every year, Electric Picnic has an awful lot of local businesses and local traders that sell at the festival,” Benn remarked during a recent interview.

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the festival, the council received numerous calls for the event organizers to prioritize local suppliers, particularly from stakeholders like David Walsh Kemmis of Ballykilcavan Brewing Company. Kemmis urged the council to enforce conditions that would ensure local food and beverage vendors have access to the festival grounds, even if their products compete with those of the event's sponsors. However, the council's planning report clarified that such matters fell outside its jurisdiction, as the decision to include specific vendors rests solely with the festival promoters.

According to the council’s 29-page planner’s report, while many submissions highlighted the importance of supporting local produce, they reiterated that any trading decisions made by EP Republic Ltd are commercial in nature and not governed by local authority regulations. Benn responded to these concerns by affirming the festival's commitment to collaborating with local traders, stating, “It is not up to the local authority to say who we work with. We have the freedom to choose who we work with, and we exercise that freedom.”

The first Electric Picnic was held in 2004, attracting around 10,000 attendees. Over the years, it has evolved into one of Ireland's premier music and arts festivals, showcasing a diverse lineup of international and local talent. Tickets for the 2025 festival went on sale on August 21, 2024, and sold out rapidly, even before the announcement of the full lineup. As the event approaches, anticipation continues to build among fans and local businesses alike, with hopes that the festival will further enhance the economic landscape of Laois County.

In conclusion, the approval from Laois County Council not only signifies a major cultural event for the region but also raises important discussions about local economic engagement and the sustainability of community support in the context of large-scale festivals. As the planning process unfolds, it will be crucial for both the council and EP Republic Ltd to strike a balance that fosters local business growth while delivering a memorable experience for festival-goers.