One winner. One headline slot at Ireland’s biggest music festival, Electric Picnic. One stage built on the belief that the party is better when everyone’s invited — and this year, Ireland’s most iconic festival and the world’s No.1 vodka are joining forces again to make it happen. Honestly? It’s going to be unreal.
Festival season is back, and to celebrate, Smirnoff Sound Nation is launching an exciting new DJ competition specifically for up-and-coming Irish artists — with the prize being a slot on one of the most energetic stages at Electric Picnic: the Smirnoff Stage.
The Smirnoff Stage at Electric Picnic is a place where everyone is welcome and where equality for artists and fans takes centre stage. This isn’t just another branded space. It’s a full-on dance floor, a community, and a statement — all in one.
Both Smirnoff and Electric Picnic are committed to opening up the world of live music and this year, the pair are joining forces to turn everything up a notch to do just that. For 2026, Smirnoff Sound Nation is opening a new opportunity to rising DJ talent across Ireland through an exciting competition called “The Residency.”
The Residency is a nationwide competition, giving one local DJ the chance to earn a highly sought after spot on the Smirnoff Stage at Electric Picnic — the same stage that has become one of the most talked-about experiences on the Irish festival circuit. The winner of this incredible competition will join the Smirnoff Stage lineup alongside previous headline names such as The Blessed Madonna and Gorgon City.
Smirnoff’s music platform, Smirnoff Sound Nation, is built on the belief that the party is better when more people can access the music they love. The Residency marks the next chapter in Smirnoff’s long-standing commitment to music in Ireland and its belief that the best parties happen when different sounds, perspectives, and flavours come together. DJs from all backgrounds and genres are encouraged to enter, from electronic and house to hip-hop and everything in between.
A stage that belongs to everyone
The Smirnoff Stage has built a reputation as one of the most immersive and inclusive spaces in Ireland’s festival scene. In recent years at Electric Picnic, it has hosted landmark activations centred around diversity and belonging — featuring wheelchair-accessible platforms, haptic suits, sign language interpreters, and braille menus — helping to break down barriers that too often make live music an exclusive experience.
What truly sets it apart, however, is the connection between artists and the crowd. Fans are invited on stage to join DJs and performers in a Boiler Room-style setup — turning the boundary between artist and audience into something far more fluid. The Residency is a direct extension of that spirit: the stage has always belonged to everyone, and now one local hero has the chance to make it their own.
“Ireland has always had an incredible musical heartbeat, and The Residency is our way of turning up the volume — giving DJs from different backgrounds the chance to be discovered and celebrated. We believe the best parties — and the best stages — happen when you bring together different sounds, stories, and people. That’s what Smirnoff Sound Nation is all about, and that’s exactly what The Residency will be. We cannot wait to hear what Ireland’s up-and-coming DJs bring to the table — and we can’t wait to give one of them the stage they deserve at Electric Picnic.”
– David Heaney, Head of Marketing Spirits Ireland, Smirnoff
Melvin Benn, Electric Picnic Festival Director adds, “It’s really important to me to make sure Electric Picnic always delivers the best experience for our audience, and this local initiative powered by Smirnoff Sound Nation is the perfect addition to our already action-packed festival weekend. Giving a platform to the next generation of incredible artists ensures that we can support local communities and individuals, while continuing to raise the bar for Irish artistry. Wishing a massive good luck to all those that enter and hopefully we’ll be seeing you take centre Smirnoff Stage on a sunny bank holiday in August!”.
How to enter
Check out https://www.smirnoff.com/en-ie/theresidency where you can enter your details for a chance to win this incredible opportunity. The competition is open to DJs based in Ireland aged 25 and over. Entry is free and no purchase is necessary. Voting opens on Friday, 5th June 2026 and closes on Sunday, 21st June 2026 at 23:59pm.
How it works
Four Four, the leading platform for club culture and DJ talent in Ireland, will select three finalists to go head-to-head for the chance to win a coveted slot on the Smirnoff Stage at Electric Picnic. Each of the three finalists will curate a playlist representing their unique sound and vision, hosted on Smirnoff’s Spotify profile.
How to get involved
Once the finalists have been chosen, it’s down to public vote where you can head to Smirnoff’s Spotify profile and check out the finalists bespoke playlists and vote for them to win. Voting for this will close on August 3rd 23:59.
About Smirnoff
Smirnoff is the world’s number one vodka brand1 and Diageo’s most popular spirit brand by volume2. Smirnoff is a brand for everyone and has been enjoyed for more than 150 years. In Ireland and globally, Smirnoff champions music, inclusivity and self-expression, creating shared cultural moments that bring people together. Smirnoff returns to Electric Picnic as part of Smirnoff Sound Nation, its music platform dedicated to building immersive, accessible spaces where every music lover feels welcome, seen and part of the moment.
