Big names revealed as 'Comedy Tent' headliners at this year's Electric Picnic
The leafy plains of Stradbally Estate are set to reverberate with the sounds of laughter as the Comedy Tent makes a welcome return along with the multitude of music, arts and culture stages at this year’s Electric Picnic. Set in a new location, the very best of top-class comics from Ireland and far beyond will gather to provide mirth and merriment, sure to bring a smile to even the most committed of curmudgeons.
Headlining on Saturday night is the amazing Dylan Moran, a comedian, actor, writer who co-wrote and starred in the hit Channel 4 sitcom Black Books (that won him two BAFTA awards) as well as starring alongside Simon Pegg in Shaun Of The Dead, in Good Vibrations and Pixie. Currently in scintillating form, it’s hard to beat the brilliant wit of Moran in full flow!
The biggest selling comedian ever at the Edinburgh Fringe Jason Byrne’s inspired original brand of high-energy ensures he is one of the most exciting live comedy performers in the world – unmatched for his ebullient energy and regulated chaos! No comedy weekend in Laois would be complete without the maestro.
Neil Delamere is a permanent panellist on BBC NI’s Blame Game; however, no TV camera could accurately measure the lightning speed of his wit, he is a banter bomb, primed to make you explode with laughter. Simply put he is a master that will light the fuse of the Comedy Tent when he takes to the stage.
Hardly ever off the telly these days, comedy’s darling Deirdre O’Kane is a sure-fire hit, an instantly charismatic stage presence and her brand of day-to-day anarchism dazzles any audience from start to finish. And using his trademark blend of audience interaction and razor-sharp improvisation, Abandoman will take you on a magical journey, transforming the audiences likes, loathes and daydreams into hit songs and captivating tales.
Recent years have seen the emergence of a much-maligned genre of comedy, the so-called ‘internet comics’, however, Electric Picnic will play host to four of the best of these, with proof positive that they do possess the comedy skills to cut it and are already huge on the live circuit. Killian Sundermann is a sketch and stand-up comedian whose comedy videos went viral during 2020 and his humorous take on Irish culture has become a staple on social media.
There’s plenty of circuit stalwarts for your delectation with experienced comics like John Colleary (possibly Ireland’s most underrated comedian), Barry Murphy (the Godfather of Irish Comedy), Irish Man Abroad Podcaster Jarlath Regan, Ireland’s hardest working comedian Danny O’Brien and presenter of RTÉ2’s Clear History Kevin McGahern, heartthrob John Lynn, Cork’s finest Chris Kent and the creator of You’re Grounded podcast Emma Doran all set to tickle your funny bones over the weekend.
Expect strong sets from Zig and Zag Show roving reporter Sinéad Quinlan, Egyptian American comedian Dalia Malek, adopted Australian Damian Clarke, King of the one-liners Paul Marsh and ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ runner-up Shane Daniel Byrne. Part of Electric Picnic’s Comedy Tent’s ethos is to encourage and present new talent and to that end we are delighted to welcome Anna Clifford, Mike Morgan, Justine Stafford, Ian Burke, Andrew Ryan, Martin Angolo, Michael Fry and Ryan Cullen.
Your MC for the weekend is Bingo Loco frontman, the human dynamo that is Adam Burke. The Comedy Tent awaits you on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th of September.