Believe it or not, this year about 65 music festivals are taking place in Ireland. There's only room for one at the top of such a lengthy list, and for most people (me included) that's the Electric Picnic, kicking off this Friday until Sunday in Stradbally, Co Laois. Just four years old, it might be the baby of the festival circuit, but it's already shown its older, jaded rivals how it's done.

Initially people sniggered at the 'boutique festival' tag and it was accused of attracting SUV drivers and posh girls in designer wellies. Then people actually went and the derisory scoffing dried up. Why? Because it's not like any other festival -- everything about it is different.

From the unpredictable acts to the array of genres on offer, you can stick with the big names on the main stage, wander over to the uber indie Foggy Notions stage or leap around in the Bodytonic dance tent. People are older (the demographic boasts more over 30s among its number than Oxegen) and friendlier.

You can down cocktails instead of warm beer, organic curry instead of batter burgers. And the performance side of things is not just about music.

Want to see scantily clad Burlesque ladies? Right this way. Fancy a few belly laughs from some of Ireland's top comedians? Over here. You can catch topical debates, have a massage, get "married" in an inflatable church (honest, but be careful if you agree to this after several mojitos), visit Fossett's circus, bounce around at a silent disco or even catch a film.

Even if you're not the biggest muso in the world, you won't be stuck for something to do.

So what about preparation? One friend, who has never darkened the door of a tent sent me a panic-stricken email during the week. "What do I bring and will the campsite be hell?" All valid points, and spoken like a true festival virgin.

First and foremost, gather the right provisions. Ugg boots and sparkly bikini tops are all well and good, but you can't shelter in/drink them.

A tent is an obvious one, unless you're planning to cosy up to your favourite band and crash in their tour bus/hotel room. Air out your sleeping bag now; no one likes snuggling down to last year's musty beer aroma.

Something I can't recommend highly enough -- and not just for the over 30s like myself -- is a blow up mattress. After a long day on your feet, it'll feel like crawling back into a bed at The Ritz for a bit of shuteye. Trust me.

It's also at this point in the week that people frantically and fruitlessly stalk shoe shops looking for wellies -- a tip if you're a dainty-footed girl is to try the children's department -- they'll most likely have them and they're cheaper.

And finally, top of the festival 'must have' list are baby wipes. Not only will you be in the loos patting yourself on the back with a hygienically sound hand, they'll keep you clean if you don't like the look of the showers.

When you get to the campsite, remember where you pitch your tent. If you're likely to forget, and you may do after some festival carousing, mark your tent with something (friends of mine flew a Jolly Roger flag on a 10ft pole).

The regular campsite can get hectic and if you don't fancy getting stuck listening to the gang beside you belting out 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' repeatedly at 7am, you might consider checking out the 'Quiet Campsite'.

Obviously it won't be like the set of a silent movie, but people do try to keep it respectfully low key. If you're too lazy to lug your own booze with you, the organisers have helpfully set up the Electric Picnic off licence, where you can order crates of beer online in advance to be collected down there. Alcohol can be brought into the arena, but only in cans or plastic bottles.

And so to the most important thing: the music. There are over 200 musical acts playing over the weekend so it's worth deciding in advance who you want to see.

On Friday night every man, woman and child will be going to see the Queen of eclecticism, Bjork. Also on Friday's bill are LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip and The Manic Street Preachers. Saturday has a bit of a retro vibe with sets from The Jesus & Mary Chain, Erasure and The Beastie Boys, while Sunday plays host to Primal Scream, Iggy & The Stooges and The Go! Team. Irish acts are well represented by Duke Special, Delorentos, Damien Dempsey, Kila and Simple Kid. Some less obvious stuff to check out? I'll be at MIA, Final Fantasy, Ratatat and Bat For Lashes (my tip for next Tuesday's Mercury Music Prize).

One last piece of advice: fully charge your phone and type up a draft text message -- "where are you?" -- your fingers will thank you. That, plus sunglasses, an optimistic purchase of sun cream and you're all set.

- Sinead Gleeson