Electric Picnic 2014 | 15 | Portishead

The haunting vocals of Beth Gibbons and dynamic musical palette of Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley make their Stradbally debut in 2014.

A little surprising considering they’ve been active since 2008 following a lengthy hiatus. A trip-hop heritage act who are still relevant, a by now classic band who could very well make their best work in the future. Perfect for PicnicLive, video footage and written appraisals suggest Portishead conjure the musicality and sense of atmosphere only rivaled by 90’s peers Radiohead and Bristol neighbours Massive Attack.

Expect a slow-moving and captivating assault on your emotional senses as they take the Main Stage; a platform which traditionally sounds better at nightfall; think Jesus and Mary Chain in ’07 and My Bloody Valentine last year. More importantly expect no flab, in their intermittent 20 year career, they’ve released just three-high quality records, including the Mercury-winning debut Dummy.

The most recently released ‘Third’ has moments of intensity which will no doubt translate very well in Laois, no matter the weather. Check out ‘The Rip’ and ‘Machine Gun’ and imagine yourself up to your ears in mud.

 Impassioned, innovative and interesting, light up a fat one and kick back. Unmissable.

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