Electric Picnic 2023: Sinéad O’Connor tributes, Kanye West sightings and glorious sunshine

The weather

2022 was a complete washout, but this year more than made up for that and delivered an unbelievably sunny weekend we won’t forget in a hurry. 

Billie Eilish sings through sickness

Despite not feeling her best, Billie Eilish certainly delivered on her Friday night performance and put on a show that left fans in awe of her ability to pull through. “You know me and you know that I wouldn’t cancel a show even if I was like literally dying… (this does feel pretty close tho lol) but the show must go on,” she posted on Instagram, just hours prior. “I will see you tonight! But please keep in mind that I am trying my best and I’m gonna need your help tonight. Go hard for me.” Eilish’s second time playing in Stradbally, she last performed at EP in 2019… four years later and she’s only gotten better. 

Record numbers at The Wolfe Tones

Their first time performing at the festival, The Wolfe Tones drew one of the biggest crowds ever to the Electric Arena where thousands of fans gathered to hear the group. Crowds of up to 50 people deep gathered outside an already overfull marquee, with many lamenting the fact that they weren’t given a main stage slot instead… their spirits were far from dampened though as this clip can attest. 

Irish Women in Harmony’s tribute to Sinéad O’Connor

On Sunday afternoon, Irish Women in Harmony, a collective of over 30 Irish creatives born during lockdown, took to the main stage, drawing a huge crowd as they performed a special tribute to Sinéad O’Connor. Dedicating their rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U” to the late singer, the group described her as their “biggest inspiration” and “one of the most influential women of our time”.

A Kanye West cameo

Kanye West & Steve Lacy today in Ireland ?

Ye played unreleased music for Steve Lacy today pic.twitter.com/8cE02eZOgb

— DailyRapFacts (@DailyRapFacts) September 2, 2023

This sounds like fake news but apparently, Grammy-winner Kanye West was also in attendance at EP this weekend… not as a performer but as a spectator. According to MailOnline, the rapper boarded a private plane to Dublin before heading to Stradbally so he could watch his pal Steve Lacy perform on Friday night. West and Lacy have been friends for some time, even getting matching tattoos last year. A photo of the two hugging was later posted online, with many fans speculating that Lacy will feature on the upcoming album West is reportedly working on.

Niall Horan flying the flag  

Playing to his biggest audience to date since going solo, the Mullingar native was overcome with love during his set. “I wish I could put into words how this felt. From Patrick Street, Mullingar to this…. This is a country with less than five million people – and the noise that we make worldwide is insane. And as long as you would like me to, I’m happy to fly the flag for our little country all over the planet,” an emotional Niall told the cheering crowd. “I love our little country, I love being here tonight. I love you all. Thank you so much for coming out to see me. And then I hope you all get lost in the woods somewhere there later on!” Grooming god and sensitive soul… there’s a reason we love him so. 

The Script’s emotional goodbye 

The band’s first major gig since the tragic passing of guitarist Mark Sheehan, The Script’s Sunday night slot was understandably emotional for Danny O’Donoghue and Glen Power. “Earlier on this year we lost our brother,” frontman O’Donoghue said of their loss. “You never realise what you have until it’s gone.” Fighting back tears, they dedicated a beautiful stripped-back version of “If You Could See Me Now” to their late bandmate with O’Donoghue saying that he would take the memory of that moment with him to the grave. 

Feature image via @epfestival