Electric Picnic 2023 day one in pictures: first the rain, then a magnificent burst of sunshine

Campers arrive for three days of music and madness as the festival kicks into action in Stradbally, Co Laois

Lilly O’Gara and Elaine O’Brien arriving at the Electric Picnic festival, Stradbally, Co Laois, on Friday. Photograph: Alan Betson

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Fri Sep 1 2023 - 17:15

More than 70,000 people are expected at this year’s Electric Picnic festival. Early arrivals had to battle through rain and wet conditions, before the weather obliged with some glorious September sunshine.

Connor Reddan and Dominic Sheridan from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, all set for camping at the Electric Picnic festival, at Stradbally, Co Laois. Photograph: Alan Betson

James Sweeney, Grace McCarthy and Sophie McCarthy from Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, at Electric Picnic 2023. Photograph: Alan Betson

David Kelly and Oisín Maher from Athy and Portarlington respectively on the first day of Electric Picnic 2023. Photograph: Alan Betson

A group of friends getting in the festival mood on day one of Electric Picnic 2023. Photograph: Alan Betson

Sarah Twomey and Georgina Dennehy from Cork arriving at Electric Picnic 2023. Photograph: Alan Betson

Patrons enjoy a carnival ride on the first day of Electric Picnic 2023. Photograph: Alan Betson

Keela Corcoran, Holly Mcweeney and Ellen Jane Oates from Leitrim, Roscommon and Mayo respectively at Electric Picnic 2023. Photograph: Alan Betson

Campers laden down with gear arriving at Electric Picnic 2023. Photograph: Alan Betson

Campers arriving at Electric Picnic 2023. Photograph: Alan Betson

Sophie Hyland, Libby Simons, Sorcha Coyne and Luíse Stanley from Dublin at Electric Picnic on Friday. Photograph: Alan Betson

Happy campers in good mood arriving at Electric Picnic 2023 in Stradbally, Co Laois. Photograph: Alan Betson

Orla Shelly, Rian McDonald and Aoife O’Gorman from Louth and Clare respectively arriving on the first day of Electric Picnic 2023. Photograph: Alan Betson

Hester Chambers and Rhian Teasdale of Wet Leg on the Electric Arena stage on Friday evening. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Fans of Wet Leg fans sing along to te band as they performed on Saturday evening. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Niall Horan performing on the Main stage at Electric Picnic on Friday night. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Niall Horan performing on the Main Stage on Friday. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Ava Moran from Wexford during the Niall Horan concert at Electric Picnic on Friday night. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Niall Horan fans go wild as he performs on the Electric Picnic Main Stage on Friday. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Niall Horan fans at Electric Picnic. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Niall Horan fans at Electric Picnic. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Billie Eilish during her headline performance at Electric Picnic on Friday night. Photograph: Alan Betson/ he Irish Times

Billie Eilish during performing on the Main Stage at Electric Picnic. Photograph: Alan Betson/ he Irish Times

Billie Eilish during performing on the Main Stage at Electric Picnic. Photograph: Alan Betson/ he Irish Times

Electric Picnic Laois