Two Midlands Bands Added To Electric Picnic Line Up

70,000 people are expected to descend on Laois this weekend.

Stage times have been announced for this weekend's Electric Picnic Festival.

70,000 people are expected at the three day event in Stradbally in Laois.

Mullingar's The Academic and Offaly's Chasing Abbey were added to the festival's line up today.

The Academic say it's a dream come true:

They're on the main stage on Saturday and say they look forward to getting back from touring abroad for the Stradbally festival:

Electric Picnic organisers say they would have more female artists in the line-up if they were available.

Billie Eilish is the only female headliner at this year's festival, which has led to criticism.

Organiser Melvin Benn says they would book more women for the festival if they could:

Disposable vapes are banned at this year's Electric Picnic.

They've been added to the list of banned items - however, festival organisers say they won't be policing it.

Mr. Benn from the organisers Festival Republic says they know people will find a way to bring them in, but they won't be available to buy at the festival:

Meditation, belly-dancing classes, and sound baths are among the wellness options at this year's event. 

A new area called Croí, which replaces Mind and Body, features various ways to relax.

Production director Sarah King says people at festivals should take the time to switch off:

A new addition this year will be 11 AIR Hubs around the campsites over the weekend.

AIR is an acronym for ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION and RESPONSE.

They will be open 24/7 from Thursday through to Monday 2pm.

Local groups involved in running the hubs are: NCBI, ISPCA, SOSAD Ireland, Turn2Me, Portarlington Women’s Shed, Teac Tom, Portlaoise AFC and Laois Cricket Club.

Headliners include Billie Eilish, Fred Again.., Paolo Nutini, The Killers, The Script and special guest Mullingar's Niall Horan.

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