‘I got drenched at Electric Picnic one year now I always pack little-known item’

The Irish musical extravaganza returns next week in Co Laois, so one Electric Picnic festival superfan has curated the ultimate survival guide for anyone going there

Summer may be on its way out, but that doesn’t mean the music stops. The Electric Picnic (EP) festival rolls back into town next weekend, and this year’s event at Stradbally Hall, Co Laois, promises to be an extraordinary affair. Now in its 21st year, the festival is set to dazzle with headliners Hozier, Sam Fender and Kings of Leon, while Chappell Roan, Fatboy Slim and Becky Hill are also among the acts to take the stage.

However, attendees are being warned to brace themselves for strong winds as the remnants of Hurricane Erin are forecasted to hit parts of Ireland next weekend (August 29-31), potentially clashing with the festival. This raises concerns for those hoping for perfect weather, with the possibility that EP 2025 could turn into a total washout looming large.

But fear not as a lifestyle vlogger has come to the rescue with her indispensable EP survival guide. Wellness coach Amie Wiley, originally from Co Clare but now living in New York City, is a self-proclaimed festival fan.

She posted a video on her TikTok profile detailing her top tips, which she claims have “absolutely saved my festival experience every time I’ve gone”. Her suggestions, which range from the glaringly obvious to the refreshingly unique, are sure to resonate with EP fans eager to avoid both a soaking and aching limbs.

1. Waterproof spray

The first item on Amie’s survival checklist is a waterproof spray for your tent. If you’re considering camping out with Storm Erin on the horizon, a few spritzes of this could keep your tent dry.

Amie shared: “The first year I went to EP, we were absolutely rained out of it, and I didn’t get a drop of rain on me all weekend. Sprayed the outside of my tent day one, the rain just, trickled off the tent. Not wet once.”

2. Plenty of plastic bags

Amie’s second tip involves bringing three types of plastic bags – standard ones for dirty clothes in your rucksack, and freezer bags to keep your feet dry.

She emphasised the importance of the freezer bags, urging festival-goers to stay “warm and dry”, adding: “If you were neither of those things, you’re going to have the most miserable time ever. One thing that I always do is I put my socks on.

“I bring freezer plastic bags, put them over my socks, tie it with a bobbin and if the ground is wet, your feet will be so dry for the whole weekend. Make sure to take those freezer plastic bags off before you go to sleep, though.”

3. Hot water bottle

It’s one thing to be cool at EP, but it’s another to be really cold. To avoid chilly nights, Amie suggested bringing a hot water bottle to “keep you lovely, toasty and warm at night time when the temperature does drop a bit – because we’re in Ireland, after all”.

4. Bring your own cup

Number four on Amie’s list is bringing your own cup or shaker for your drinks. For anyone conscious about littering the festival fields, having your own reusable bottle or protein shaker will provide a guilt-free alternative to your drinks.

5. Stock up on medicine

Say goodbye to hangover headaches and dehydration with two medicines. Amie suggested bringing Panadol and Dioralyte, but did caution: “Please don’t take Panadol on an empty tummy, but Dioralyte absolutely saves my life. One before bed and then one after I eat in the morning, and then Panadol if I really really need it.”

6. Flip flops

If the very thought of walking on wet grass or messy shower floors makes your skin crawl, Amie recommended bringing your own flip flops or sliders.

She said: “So if you’re going for showers and you’re using the communal showers, the floors are a bit manky, so flip flops or sliders. Definitely throw them in your camping bag.”

7. Extra toiletries

If you want to look your best with less fuss, Amie urged people to bring face wipes and dry shampoo. The former to help clear your face of makeup and glitter after a long day of partying, the latter to get your hair looking great for the next day.

8. Power banks

There’s nothing more frustrating than heading to a festival only to have your phone battery die just as you’re trying to capture those precious memories with photos and videos. However, Amie has the perfect remedy – power banks.

She advised: “Make sure you have as many with you as possible and [make sure they’re] charged so your phone stays charged all the time.”

9. Camping chair

All that dancing and wandering about at festivals can be exhausting, so Amie recommended packing a portable camping chair to give your feet a well-deserved break. She had compelling reasoning behind this suggestion: “Every year that I have not brought a camping chair, I have regretted it so much.”

10. Bin bags

An unexpected recommendation, but an incredibly practical one. Amie stressed the importance of bringing several black bin bags, whether for disposing of soiled clothing or waterproofing your accommodation.

She explained: “I lay down my bin bags on the base of my tent just to give it that extra bit of waterproofness. And you can also use the bin bags for your dirty clothes and also for your rubbish as well.”