Electric Picnic, Elephants, and a New TV Show Set To Be a Hit – Laura Whitmore’s Week

A few weeks ago I flew to Dublin to film a pilot for VIP Productions backed by RTE and Warner Bros US called 'The Hit'.

It's an exciting new format looking at the music industry from the songwriter's perceptive. It's just a one off special but something that I was happy to get involved with because it's a concept that the TV world hasn't really seen. 

Personally, I'm intrigued by the whole process of songwriting. I've met a lot of musicians through MTV and have discussed in depth with some of them what inspires them and how they write. I also live with a songwriter... So I know what its like to hear the same song over and over and over again...  

But, watching musicians and songwriters from the outside is very different to experiencing the music industry AS a songwriter. (Although I definitely wrote a few dodgy songs in my padlocked diary when I was listening to Alanis' "Jagged Little Pill" back in my teenage angst years!).

We were honoured to have producer extraordinaire Steve Lillywhite (who has worked with The Rolling Stones and Snow Patrol to name a few) oversee the project and for the pilot, very successful Irish artists Royseven and Brian McFadden were also involved.

Laura presenting new TV show 'The Hit', airing on RTE 2 tonight

The show is being aired on RTE 2 tonight (Thursday) at 9.30pm and will be repeated on Friday at 11pm. So please check it out!

Speaking of good songwriting, new singer/songwriter Róisín O performed at Electric Picnic over the weekend. Her debut album, "The Secret Life of Blue," is being launched with a gig at Whelan's on Friday 21st. I highly recommend it!

Róisín O - Laura recommends catching her gig at Whelan's on Friday the 21st September

Other highlights from Electric Picnic at the weekend were SBTRKT, the musical alias of Aaron Jerome. The tent was packed during his set and Wild Beasts on the main stage were amazing as always. 

Other personal highlights were dancing with a shoeless hippy at 'body and soul' and eating a large portion of curry chips (that's just a given at any festival though… right?)

 

Lx