Smirnoff Sound Nation and Electric Picnic have launched The Residency – a nationwide DJ competition open to Irish artists, with the winner earning a headline slot on the Smirnoff Stage at Electric Picnic this August.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is The Residency?
A nationwide DJ competition open to up-and-coming Irish DJs, with the prize being a headline slot on the Smirnoff Stage at Electric Picnic 2026. Previous acts on the stage include The Blessed Madonna and Gorgon City.
DJs from all backgrounds and genres are encouraged to enter – electronic, house, hip-hop and everything between.
What is the Smirnoff Stage?
One of the more interesting spaces at Electric Picnic – a Boiler Room-style setup where fans come on stage alongside DJs, with a strong focus on accessibility including wheelchair-accessible platforms, haptic suits for deaf attendees, sign language interpreters and braille menus.
Who can enter?
The competition is open to residents of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland aged 25 or over.
Entrants must be up-and-coming, non-professional DJs based in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
How does it work?
An independent panel of experts will review valid entries and shortlist six DJs.
Shortlisted entrants will be contacted during the week commencing June 29th 2026.
The six shortlisted DJs will be asked to submit an original DJ mix. From these submissions, three finalists will be selected.
The three finalists will go through a public vote on Smirnoff.com.
The finalist with the highest number of votes by August 3rd 2026 at 23:59 will be named the winner.
How do I enter Smirnoff’s Sound Nation The Residency?
Head to smirnoff.com/en-ie/theresidency and enter your details.
What are the key dates for entry?
Entries open now and close on June 28th 2026 at 23:59. Only one entry per person is allowed.
Full details, terms and conditions and entry at smirnoff.com/en-ie/theresidency.
Over 18s only.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
