London dream-pop trio The XX will join the likes of Duran Duran, Pete Tong and hip-hop ensemble A Tribe Called Quest in headlining this year’s Electric Picnic.
Legendary funk Queen Chaka Khan rounds out the main headliners.
The event sold out in minutes this morning - before the announcement of any acts or performers.
Full lineup @TodayFMNews #EP2017 pic.twitter.com/t5n6Fl0FSm
— Juliette Gash (@JulietteGash) March 23, 2017
The XX will headline Friday night with A Tribe called quest on Saturday and Duran Duran finishing out the main stage on Sunday.
Pete Tong will be performing Ibiza classics with the 60-piece Heritage Orchestra.
There are a number of interesting performers on the “undercard” to whet the appetite, with acts like Interpol, Father John Misty, London Grammar, Floating Points, Michael Kiwanuka and Run the Jewels catering to an eclectic range.
The Divine Comedy and Annie Mac are among the Irish artists on show.
The organisers of the event confirmed that the tickets were gone at 11am this morning – however music fans have been tweeting their disappointment since just after the tickets went on sale at 9am.
Visitors to Ticketmaster's website were told there were no tickets left at approximately 9:05am.
It is the first time in the festival’s 13 year history that tickets were sold-out before the acts were announced and at the launch this morning, festival director Melvin Benn was asked how it could happen:
“I think just because The Picnic is The Picnic,” he said. “It is an institution in Ireland; it is the festival of Ireland.”
“There is no question in mind that it is the most extraordinary weekend that you can have in Ireland.
“It is just a different world and it is an incredible, special place to be with friends and meet friends.
“You camp, you have a great weekend; what goes on at The Picnic stays at The Picnic type of thing really; it is pretty remarkable.”
All tickets for #EP2017 are now sold out, apart from a limited number of tickets available to Three customers at a later date. pic.twitter.com/NDS6tfmxao
— Electric Picnic (@EPfestival) March 23, 2017
The 55,000 capacity event will take place in Stradbally, County Laois from Friday, September 1st to Sunday, September 3rd 2017.
#ElectricPicnic has sold out. Before the line-up has been announced. There's a startling level of follow the flock going there.
— David Hollywood (@DavidHollywood_) March 23, 2017
The speed of the sell-out is likely to pour fuel on the argument for greater controls on the secondary resale market - with tickets already available on certain sites for between €377 and €500.
Tickets are currently on sale through Ticketmaster’s “official resale partner” website for €495 - nearly double the cost-price of €240.
