A Belfast band will perform at the Electric Picnic festival in County Laoise this weekend. The Shan Vans, formed in 2023, will play on the Global Green stage in the Elements of Change Tent on Saturday at 7pm.

The four-piece comprises Brendan McGlone, Colm Gillen, Caolan Fitzsimons and Jake Óg Mac Siacais. Jake Óg said Féile an Phobail, Belfast's community arts festival, was a major inspiration for forming the band. He grew up around arts organisations as his mother worked for the festival.

He cited local acts Kneecap, The Whistlin' Donkeys and Jun Tzu as influences. A Fontaines DC concert at the Ulster Hall in December 2022 prompted the members to start making their own music.

The band spent 2023 and 2024 recording songs and 2025 working on a music video and a collaboration with 100 other artists. They handle much of their own recording and mixing, giving them full control over their music.

Their sound blends decolonising and identity themes, with lyrics mostly in Irish and some English to make the music accessible to a wider audience. They have completed an untitled EP, expected to be released at the end of the year.