What You Need To Know About… Surviving At Electric Picnic

It's finally here! Electric Picnic has arrived and while you should have your ticket in hand and your bag packed, there are still a few things that might help your Electric Picnic weekend go a little smoother. Here are our top tips... 1) Download the app. The Electric Picnic app is available to download at http://bandapp.com/electricpicnic and allows you to add timetables, reminders, find out about all the artists performing and chat to others at the festival. VERY Handy. 2) Keep your phone charged As amazing as smartphones are, the battery life leaves a lot to be desired and that 2% symbol can leave us a little like this. Luckily, the folks at Electric Picnic know this and have made provisions for you to charge up that bad boy. Nobody wants to be hanging around without their mobile while they wait for it to power up so Volt will be on site providing portable chargers to festivalgoers in return for a small charge. Now there's no excuse for losing all your mates! 3) Know where you're going While it's not on the scale of Glastonbury, the Electric Picnic site can be a bit confusing to navigate when you've had a drink or two. Print off this map and you'll avoid missing your favourite acts while you go on a wild goose chase through the woods. 4) Realise that eating is not cheating This is an important one. Electric Picnic is a three-day event and there is no way that you will be in a fit state to enjoy the Sunday if you live on the nutrition provided by a six-pack of cider. Also, the selection of amazing food on offer is one of the best thing about the festival so get stuck in. Try to remember to drink a bottle of water here and there too - it will help the morning hangover and stop you from getting dehydrated. 5) Live a little Sure, there are names you recognise on the line-up but some of the ones you don't could belong to your new favourite band. Try to check out some of less well-known Irish acts and the smaller stages and your intrepid exploring will be rewarded. We have a few tips here and here. 6) Mind your valuables The first rule of packing for any festival is to leave your valuables at home but if you want to bring a camera or some extra cash, consider booking a locker to make sure they don't disappear from your tent. You can book a locker or a storage box from about €15 and all the info is here. Otherwise, you may end up looking a little like this... 7) Cheat your way to festival chic While some may relish the idea of hiding their crowning glory under a hat for the weekend, we realise that others don't so if you would enjoy your experience a bit more with a bouncy blow-dry, make a beeline for the Pamper Parlour in the Jimi Hendrix campsite. Here's what you need to know. 8) Have fun and be sound Going to a festival is one of the best experiences ever so let your hair down and enjoy yourself. Make friends with the person beside you in the queue for the loo, don't skip when others have been waiting longer at a food truck and forgive that messy drunk who is talking jibberish to you at 1am... we all have our moment. FINALLY.... For the love of holy Bruce Springsteen, DO NOT spend the entire time videoing performances. You'll never watch the footage and you'll annoy everyone in a two-metre radius. Enjoy the moment and take a cheeky selfie for posterity. See you all there!