The Wolfe Tones have provided evidence of their enduring popularity and depressed a few it seems, judging by social media at any rate, by performing for the biggest crowd in Electric Picnic’s 19-year history.
The band, formed way back in 1964 have seemingly tapped into a youthful zeal for rebel songs which were written and released years and years before festival goers were even born.
Fans soaked up the sunshine in glorious weather with temperatures reaching 26C in the Stradbally sun before piling into a roasting tent to see the ‘Tones satisfy their adoring fans.
An Electric Picnic spokesperson said: “The Wolfe Tones drew the biggest crowd ever in the Electric Arena, with fans enjoying the music inside and outside the tent, singing along to every song.”
Last month, the band’s infamous and hugely popular track Celtic Symphony stirred controversy at the Belfast Féile, with TUV leader Jim Allister saying the lyrics insulted victims of IRA violence.
Singer/songwriter Brian Warfield has stated that the song was written in 1987, and was penned for the centenary of Celtic Football Club, a year later.
One fan took to social media to praise the band’s performance on X, formerly Twitter: “The popularity of the Wolfe Tones and for Irish rebel songs continues unabated. Long may it continue.”
Others said: “This tent is too small for the Wolfe Tones” and “The Wolfe Tones pushed into a tiny tent at the Electric Picnic.”
Another added: “Wolfe Tones packing out a 10,000 capacity tent at Electric Picnic, full of young heads shouldn’t be overlooked… One to watch folks.”
On the third and final day of the festival, 70,000 revellers watched The Killers, Rick Astley, Glória LGBT+ Choir and The Saw Doctors.
https://twitter.com/wolfetones/status/1698480736372662310
