The Irish festival-going public has long been divided on which of the country’s two great musical extravaganzas reigns supreme. Here are some key differences.
By Robert Carry
You know it’s Oxygen when… Festival goers cheer at the sight of casual violence.
You know it’s Electric Picnic when… Festival goers hold hands and weep their way through a rendition of Give Peace a Chance at the sight of casual violence.
You know it’s Oxygen when… Smoke is coming from your tent because someone set fire to it.
You know it’s Electric Picnic when… Smoke is coming from your tent because hippie squatters are getting stoned in it.
You know it’s Oxygen when… The campsite resembles a Darfur refugee camp.
You know it’s Electric Picnic when… When the festival goers look like they were born to live in tents.
You know it’s Oxygen when… People smell terrible on their way home.
You know it’s Electric Picnic when… People smell terrible on their way in.
You know it’s Electric Picnic when… You wish you could have been at Woodstock.
You know it’s Oxygen when… You wish you could have been at Lisa Lashes in the Temple Theatre in 2003.
You know it’s Oxygen when… People keep using over-flowing port-a-loos.
You know it’s Electric Picnic when… People opt to commune with nature – by going in the woods.
You know it’s Oxygen when… Every dish contains reconstituted mystery meat.
You know it’s Electric Picnic when… Every dish contains involves tofu, couscous and lentils.
You know it’s Oxygen when… You like the featured bands.
You know it’s Electric Picnic when… You like the ‘vibe’. You’ve never heard of the bands.
You know it’s Oxygen when… You had to take two days off work to go along.
You know it’s Electric Picnic when… You had to take two days off from your anti-war campaign activities.
You know it’s Oxygen when… You’ve run out of toilet paper.
You know it’s Electric Picnic when…You don’t believe in toilet paper.
You know it’s Electric Picnic when… Someone has brought their dog in case it gets lonely.
You know it’s Oxygen when… Someone has brought their knife in case there’s a row.
You know it’s Oxygen when… Your next trip will be a week in Fuerteventura.
You know it’s Electric Picnic when… Your next trip will be aboard the next Gaza aid flotilla.
Please note that JOE is just joking, and loves both Oxygen and Electric Picnic-goers equally. Feel free to add your own Oxygen v Electric Picnic observations in the comment section below. Best one wins a prize. The prize of our approval.
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