Founder of Electric Picnic has passed away suddenly aged fifty-two

John Reynolds passed away suddenly last night.

The concert promoter died suddenly in his Dublin home. John Reynolds was the founder of the hugely successful festival, Electric Picnic. RTÉ journalist and presenter, Fran McNulty took to Twitter to post the family's statement:

Statement issued by the Reynolds family confirms the sudden death of music promoter John Reynolds pic.twitter.com/WnX39h4BKy

— Fran McNulty (@franmcnulty) October 25, 2018

Throughout his life, Reynolds demonstrated an entrepreneurial flair and transformed Ireland's festival scene. In recent years he stepped away from EP, but worked on Forbidden Fruit, Vinyl and All Together Now. Before his segway into concert promotion, he worked in the nightclub scene running the POD and Red Box clubs on Dublin's Harcourt Street. Reynolds was a native of Co. Longford and a nephew of the former Fianna Fáil Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds. He also co-managed Boyzone during the nascent stages of their career. This year was the first of new festival, All Together Now at Curraghmore House, Co Waterford which Reynolds launched through his promotions company POD. Tributes for the former business mogul have been pouring in on Twitter:

Hard to take in the news tonight of the passing of John Reynolds. A true giant of Irish Music, he shaped many of our best loved festivals and music venues and raised the bar for live music. Deepest sympathies to all his family and friends.

— Whelan's (@whelanslive) October 25, 2018

Just heard about John Reynolds, my condolences 2 his family & friends. U may not have heard of John before, but if u've been 2 Electric Picnic, Forbidden Fruit, shows at Pod Venues in dublin, then u know John's work. He gave me a lot of shows when i was starting out. So sad. RIP

— JamesVincentMcMorrow (@jamesvmcmorrow) October 25, 2018

Very sad to hear about John Reynolds. He changed the game for festivals here. I did my first gigs in Dublin in the Pod for him & Martin Thomas (RIP), and he asked me to play a huge show with Destinys Child and later the EP & more recently All together now. May he Rest In Peace

— Stevie G (@StevieGrainger) October 25, 2018

Our thoughts are with John's family at this time. May he rest in peace.