5 Acts Not To Miss At Electric Picnic 2013

As we approach the years biggest and best Irish festival, let's take a look at the acts you should be sure to catch at EP13.

Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys may be an obvious choice, but it's for a reason- the Yorkshiremen are known for their energetic live shows and with the upcoming release of their 5th studio album AM, the British foursome are as experienced a touring outfit as any international act. Expect plenty of classics from the likes of Favourite Worst Nightmare and Whatever People I Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, still the fastest selling debut album in British history and already a classic record.

The Knife
Swedish electronic masters The Knife will be performing for the first time at EP this year following the release of their 4th studio album this year, Shaking The Habitual. While the sibling duo are known to shy away from touring and general media coverage, their live shows have gained a strong reputation, and following a 7 year hiatus before the release of STH, this is set to be a truly special set.

My Bloody Valentine
Pick of the weekend for many and with extremely good reason, My Bloody Valentine returned in January with the highly anticipated mbv, just their third album, and it didn't disappoint. The shoegaze legends, founded in Dublin in the early 80's, have consistently amazed audiences with their incomparable unique wall of sound style that translates much the same way in concert as ethereal beauty of last year's headliners Sigur Ros- an almost alien sound that cannot be recreated by a single other act on the planet. Fans will be eager to witness the return of a band that created one of the finest albums of it's generation in Loveless, and if Shields and co. are on form, as surely they will be, this will be the true highlight of the weekend.

Robert Plant
Having made the successful transition from rock legend to solo folk act, Robert Plant brings his new project, The Sensational Space Shifters, to Stradbally. The Brit has consistently been voted the greatest frontman/lead singer of all time for his role in creating the iconic Led Zeppelin, and for many the chance to hear the likes of ''Black Dog'' and ''Whole Lotta Love'' will be irresistible, but don't dismiss Plant's solo ventures either- since the end of Zep, Plant's solo work and side projects have received considerable acclaim and this should be a wonderful show on it's own merit.

Wu Tang Clan
Arguably the greatest hip-hop collective of all time, Wu Tang Clan come to Stradbally at full strength, boasting the likes of The RZA, The GZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon,each of whom hold their own place in rap music history. The 9 man strong outfit are set to bring the house down at Picnic with their blend of classic old school rap and raw beats, so if you're in the mood for some outrageously fine hip-hop on the weekend, look no further than the Wu.