RT fm and Oxfam Call Out for Acts to Play at Electric Picnic

RT 2fm and Oxfam Call Out for Acts to Play at Electric Picnic

RT 2fm is joining forces once again with Oxfam Ireland to launch the second annual 2fm's Play the Picnic with Oxfam; a major, nationwide competition that will see 10 of Ireland's best up-and-coming acts win a coveted live set at the country's biggest music festival, Electric Picnic.

Today, Thursday 18th June, at 11am, The Nicky Byrne Show with Jenny Greene will launch 2fm's Play the Picnic with Oxfam during a broadcast from the 2fm Roadcaster with live music from last year's winner, Matt McGinn, and finalists, Hare Squead and White Chalk.

Bands, solo artists, singer-songwriters, DJs, rappers, hip-hop artists, you name it acts of all musical persuasions will be invited to submit a track that they think will bag them a spot on the Oxjam Stage line-up at Electric Picnic 2015.

After being whittled down to a longlist of 30 by an expert judging panel, the public will be invited to vote for their favourites. The highest-ranking acts, as voted for by the judges and the public, will then be added to the line-up for Oxfam's Oxjam Stage at Electric Picnic, and will get to stay on after their performance and soak up the atmosphere with weekend camping tickets for all band members.

But that's not all

In addition, one lucky act will be chosen to play at one of Electric Picnic's larger stages, granting them even more exposure. They will also win a masterclass with Festival Republic MD Melvin Benn on how to get festival bookings for your band; a masterclass with 2fm Director of Music and Sound, Mark McCabe, on how to go about approaching radio stations and obtaining airplay; a studio session with some of Ireland's top sound engineers at 2fm's state-of-the-art studios; and have their song broadcast to the nation on 2fm.

Head of 2fm, Dan Healy, says: Last year's Play the Picnic was an enormous success and we're very proud of our partnership with Oxfam; a partnership which we are thrilled to continue with in 2015. Giving talented bands the opportunity to make their mark on our musical landscape is something that 2fm is strongly committed to. Teaming up with the country's biggest festival, Electric Picnic, is a very tangible way of supporting artists here in Ireland.

Oxfam Ireland's Laura O'Leary, who coordinates Oxjam, says: After the success of last year's competition, we're delighted to team up with 2fm once more and showcase the rising stars of tomorrow. This is what Oxjam is all about celebrating local talent while making a global impact. The Oxjam stage has previously played host to Kodaline, Lisa Hannigan and Damien Rice, among others, as well as last year's Play the Picnic winner, singer-songwriter Matt McGinn. By supporting home-grown talent, the public will also be raising vital funds for Oxfam s work worldwide, such as our emergency response in Nepal, with each text vote helping to change someone s life for the better.

Melvin Benn, Electric Picnic Festival Director, says: Ireland is known worldwide for its musical talent. It is a privilege to team up with Oxfam and add some of these up and coming acts to this year's stellar line up. In years to come we hope to see some of these acts returning further up the bill, possibly even headlining Electric Picnic.

To enter and to find out more about 2fm's Play the Picnic with Oxfam visit www.rte.ie/2fm

Tweet @RTE2fm @OxfamIreland @EPFestival using #PlayThePicnic

ENDS

For more:

Sheena Madden

Press Officer, RT Radio

+353 (0) 1 208 2452

+353 (0) 87 245 8046

sheena.madden@rte.ie

LINK:	http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2015/0618/70900...
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