The Comedy Arena Line-Up is here – and it’s No Laughing Matter! 🎭🎪

“Go big or go home,” they said and not wanting to leave the Electric Picnic site too early, the organisers of the Comedy Stage took the advice quite literally and have only gone and booked some of the biggest names in the business to delight your mind, tickle your ribs and leave you smiling from ear to ear over the festival weekend.

Expect the unexpected, but one thing is for sure, all of the comedians have your happiness as their number one priority, and they will be bringing their A-game to the rolling fields of Stradbally.

Headlining on Saturday is the peerless Russell Howard, one of the world’s top comedians with over 9 million followers on social media, he is the undoubted, uplifting comedy king. Apparently ageless, hugely physical, his relentlessly funny performances have been a mainstay of TV schedules for more than 15 years, with his infectious humor, genuine personality and ability to connect with audiences on a deep level, he has become one of the most beloved and respected comedians in the world.

And if that wasn’t enough, your headliner on Sunday is none other than the effortlessly sublime Katherine Ryan, known for her sharp wit, self-deprecating humor and fearless opinions, Katherine tackles topics such as feminism, motherhood, dating and celebrity culture. She is without doubt one of the most influential and hilarious women in comedy today.

BAFTA-winning comic, Iain Stirling, is best known as the brilliantly funny voice of the hit reality show ‘Love Island’. At his best the Edinburgh native is an unhinged free-form anecdotal fest. Along with his life partner Laura Whitmore, their award-winning podcast ‘Partners in Crime’ chronicles the most infamous and bizarre cases in true crime history. Unmissable!

Completing the overseas invasion is Maisie Adam, who is fast on her way from being one of the brightest stars of the UK comedy scene to becoming a household name. Whether it’s her effervescence onstage, finding jokes in the minutiae of life, she’ll be compared to a young female Peter Kay, except the jokes and performance are more eccentric.

Leading the very strong home charge is one of the world’s best-loved stand-up comedians, Ardal O’Hanlon. Despite all his TV and acting credits (which are too numerous to mention), he continues to tour with his punchy but absurd life – enhancing comedy worldwide, whilst trying to preserve his dignity by avoiding panel shows and reality TV shows!

Ireland’s sweetheart Deirdre O’Kane has a huge list of acting credits, but she has never strayed too far from her live stand-up roots and is an instantly charismatic stage presence who dazzles the audience from start to finish.

Creator and host of the multi award winning Irishman Abroad Podcast, Jarlath Regan, is an unstoppable, relentless, never-ending flow of fantastic tales and over-the-top mind-blowing observations that make the audience laugh so much that trying to stop is as impossible as dealing with the hiccups.

Arguably the hardest-working and most prolific comedian in the country right now, Emma Doran, has had huge success with her online comedy sketches and her nonstop gigging in some of the country’s biggest venues, including the 3 Arena, Vicar Street.

Expect strong sets from the likes of Mayo man Garron Noone, a prime example of how social media can transform your life overnight, having gone from a few thousand followers posting music tutorial videos to over 1 million followers on Tik Tok and Instagram. Enya Martin rose to fame with her Giz A Laugh sketches on social media and has transitioned seamlessly to live stand-up comedy, appearing at major festivals all over Ireland and the UK.

Two of Northern Ireland’s biggest comics make the cross-border trek, Diona O’Doherty, the only female permanent panelist on BBC NI’s The Blame Game and taxi driver turned comedian Paddy McDonnell will amaze and enthrall in equal measure!

Comedy fans the length and breadth of the country will be well up-to-speed on the bona fides of stalwarts like Eric Lalor, Bernard Casey, Kevin McGahern, Patrick McDonnell, Fred Cooke, Shane Clifford, John Colleary, Paul Marsh, Fred Cooke, Damian Clark, Anna Clifford and the outrageous Joe Dowlin.

The Comedy Stage at Electric Picnic has a long and storied tradition of breaking new and exciting talent from the circuit and those making their EP debut after careful and considered curation are… Sofia Wren, Michael Sable, Stephen Ryan, Sharon Mannion, Aoife Dunne, John Doran, Ali Fox and social media sensation Peter McGann.

Of course, a comedy circus like this needs a ringmaster par excellence and who better to act as MC and host for the weekend than the loveable rogue that is Karl Spain.

The Comedy Stage opens at 1.30pm on Saturday August 17th and Sunday August 18th and runs until 9pm each day.