Dexys added to Electric Picnic bill

Dexys, the present day incarnation of Dexys Midnight Runners, have been added to the Electric Picnic bill along with several …

Dexys, the present day incarnation of Dexys Midnight Runners, have been added to the Electric Picnic bill along with several other acts.

The band fronted by Kevin Rowland released One Day I'm Going to Soar last month, the band's first album since 1985.

The album is being played in full on the present tour along with versions of many of the band's greatest hits, most notably Come On Eileen, which hit top spot in the charts in 1982.

Dexys were one of 16 acts announced for the festival today. American ambient rockers Explosions in the Sky,  former Blue Nile singer Paul Buchanan and British acts The Vaccines, Bombay Bicycle Club and Ben Howard were also confirmed.

Trad music stalwarts Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Liam O'Flynn and Paddy Glackin bolster the Irish contingent along with festival favourites Villagers and singer-songwriter Wallis Bird.

The Canadian music renaissance is reflected in the presence on the bill of Vancouver band Patrick Watson and dance act Grimes.

Already confirmed for the festival will be The Killers, The Cure, Sigur Rós and Christy Moore among others.

Electric Picnic takes place from Friday, August 31st to Sunday, September 2nd in Stradbally, Co Laois.

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Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times