Time for the Electric Youth Laois to plug into Electric Picnic!

Electric Picnic is offering young Laois bands and singers the experience of a lifetime and the chance to get a big break at this year's event in Stradbally.  

Youth Work Ireland Laois in association with Electric Picnic and Laois Offaly Education and Training Board are thrilled to announce the return of the Electric Youth Music and Arts initiative for its fifth year.

Electric Picnic says it has special connection with the people of Laois and has always had a keen interest in fostering the creativity of young people in the county and giving them a unique platform.

The Electric Youth Music and Arts initiative has brought huge excitement and opportunities to the talented young people of Laois. The organisers add that that Electric Youth competition not only offers a chance to perform at such a prestigious level, but also gives young people the experience-of-a-lifetime of performing at the Electric Picnic.

Clive Davis is the Regional Director of Youth Work Ireland Laois. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Electric Youth winners “Two Hours Later” representing Youth Work Ireland Laois and performing at Electric Picnic 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.

“Since being established in 2018, the Electric Youth Music and Arts initiative has been eagerly anticipated annually by the young people of County Laois, and we’re thrilled to present the fifth edition of Electric Youth for 2024.

"Once again, we are enormously grateful to Melvin Benn, Flora MacKeddie, Anton Cullen, and the entire Electric Picnic team, along with Laois Offaly Education Training Board Local Creative Youth Partnership & the Youth Work Ireland Laois team, who enable and empower our young people through Electric Youth annually, a phenomenal project which has caught the imagination of a generation of young creative minds, and promotes a valuable sense of self-belief,” he said.

Elaine Boyle is the Electric Youth Programme Co-Ordinator. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Friends and family with Electric Youth winners “Two Hours Later” representing Youth Work Ireland Laois and performing at Electric PIcnic 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.

“We are absolutely delighted to be working with Electric Picnic again this summer for the fifth year of this fabulous initiative, which gives our young people an amazing and unique opportunity, and one which will create lifelong memories. The young people who took part in Electric Youth in previous years have been thrilled by the excitement and buzz generated by the programme, and as an organisation we are very grateful for the ongoing encouragement, support, and resources,” she said.

So, if you spend your time singing into your hairbrush in front of the bathroom mirror or dancing like a dervish across the kitchen floor, the organisers want to hear from you!

Applications are open to young people from ages 14 to 24 years old, and the application form can be accessed by emailing ey@ywilaois.com 

Meet & Greet sessions are in-person only, and take place on Saturday, June 22 at Youth Work Ireland Laois, where selection heats will also take place on Wednesday, June 26 from 6.30pm-8pm for 14-17 year olds, and on Thursday, June 27 from 6:30pm -8pm for those aged 17 to 24. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The shortlisted winners from both nights will be picked to go forward to the Grand Final which will take place on Friday 9th August from 7pm-10pm at the new venue of the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise.

The winners of the Electric Youth competition will have the unique opportunity to perform on the Hazelwood Stage at Electric Picnic 2024 showcasing the very best of Laois’s young and emerging talent!