The Top Day Festivals In Ireland This Summer

MAY

Bruce Springsteen
Where: Croke Park
When: May 19
What: Out of action for six months as a result of a peptic ulcer, The Boss and his famous E Street Band are back in the frame now, launching a tour that’ll take in a whopping 17 countries. Following a memorable string of RDS shows last year, Bruce is upping the ante this time round, with a single, massive Irish show in one of Europe’s biggest stadiums. Is he up to it? Well, what do you think!
Make sure to: Get those hip flexors working on ‘Dancing In The Dark’

Rod Stewart
Where: Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin
When: May 26
What: At the youthful age of 79, Rod Stewart returns to Ireland for a “very special show” in the picturesque gardens of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. With his American Songbook phase on ice for now, fans can expect a proper greatest hits set, with covers of songs by the Isley Brothers, Tom Waits, Van Morrison, The Pointer Sisters and Etta James lining up alongside the likes of ‘Maggie May’ and ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?’
Make sure to: Keep shouting for ‘Sailing’ (he’ll play it eventually)...

Live at the Marquee
Where: The Marquee, Cork
When: May 23 – June 22
Who: Sugababes, The Coronas, Gavin James, Van Morrison & more
What: The Rebel City will host an impressively varied line-up of domestic heroes and international superstars at this year’s Live at The Marquee series. The shows kick off with noughties pop queens Sugababes on 23 May, followed by native heroes The Coronas (24), Gavin James (25), and the iconic Van Morrison (3 June).
Make sure to: Check out the full list of Marquee artists – there’s also Bicep (2 June), John Bishop (6 June), blk. (7), Damien Dempsey (8), Bryan Adams (11), Ne-yo (12), Jenny Greene (14), Christy Moore (15), Lyra (16), Mick Flannery & Susan O’Neill (21), Biggest Disco (22).

JUNE

Belsonic
Where: Ormeau Park, Belfast
When: June 7-29
Who: Farmers Bash (7 June), Picture This (8), Limp Bizkit (12), Belters Only (14), Becky Hill (15), Sting (19), Take That (22), Shania Twain (27), Scooter/Ben Nicky (29)
What: Music fans in Belfast will be spoiled for choice in June, when a genre-spanning collection of artists descends on Ormeau Park for the Belsonic Festival series. Kicking off with the Farmer’s Bash (featuring Derek Ryan, The Whistlin’ Donkeys, The Tumbling Paddies and more) on June 7, the series notably features a resurgent Take That, as well as  the only Irish show this year from nu-metal gods Limp Bizkit.
Make sure to: Go completely mental when Fred Durst starts singing the band’s 1999 platinum single, ‘Break Stuff’...

Tom Jones and Nile Rodgers & Chic
Where:  St. Anne’s Park, Dublin
When: June 9
What: Two legendary pop acts will come together for what’s set to be a special evening of musical celebration in Clontarf. As energetic as ever at 83, the legendary Tom Jones has sold over 100 million records and counting. Rodgers, meanwhile, with the aid of his iconic ‘Hitmaker’ guitar, has six-Grammy awards and a countless array of disco-tinged chart toppers to his name, working with everyone from David Bowie to Pharrell Williams during his illustrious career.
Make sure to: Check out the other St. Annes Park shows this month – Picture This (1 June), ‘Rewind’ festival feat. Squeeze, Heather Small and Go West (2), Cian Ducrot (7), and The Two Johnnies (8).

Pearl Jam
Where: Marlay Park, Dublin
When: June 22
What: They don’t come much bigger than this. For the first time in 14 years, Pearl Jam return to Dublin, looking to deliver the grunge goodness of their Dark Matter world tour to eager-eared Irish admirers. They’re joined by some heavyweights too, with fellow ’90s star Richard Ashcroft and local post-punk favourites The Murder Capital playing support to Eddie Vedder and the boys.
Make sure to: Familiarise yourself with the Seattle legends’ new Dark Matters LP.

Credit: Danny Clinch

Rammstein
Where: RDS Arena, Dublin
When: June 23
What: Berlin metal icons Rammstein bring their 2024 stadium tour to the RDS this summer. The fact that the area closest to the stage at their gigs is known officially as the Feuerzone (translating to ‘firing line’) tells you everything you need to know about these German hard rock machines. The veterans have a fearsome reputation for impressive stage designs and awesome pyrotechnics, making for an unforgettable live experience.
Make sure to: Download Duolingo and get your Deutsch up to speed.

CMAT
Where:  Fairview Park, Dublin
When: June 13
What: Ciara Mary Alice Thompson, aka CMAT, has proved a captivating flag bearer for Irish pop music in recent years. Her critically acclaimed sophomore album Crazymad, For Me saw the country-pop artist garner praise overseas too, earning her a BRIT nomination. Her live shows brilliantly showcase her charisma and flair, with this homecoming date sure to go down a treat.
Make sure to:  Catch the other Fairview Park shows, including Fatboy Slim (14 June), The Coronas (15), Sum 41 (19), Zara Larsson (21), Two Door Cinema Club (29) and Loyle Carner (30).

Take That
Where: Virgin Media Park, Cork
When: June 20
What: Iconic British hit-makers Take That are set to perform on the outskirts of Cork City this summer, in support of their ninth album This Life. Their recent burst of activity marks the end of a five-year hiatus for the band, who now consist of trio Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald.
Make sure to: Catch Take That’s other Irish dates in Dublin (June 21) and Belfast (June 22).

Johnny Marr
Where: King John’s Castle, Limerick
When: June 24
What: The Smiths’ six-string wizard last played the Treaty City in 1984 with a gig at the old Savoy, back when he was still hanging around with Morrissey, Rourke and Joyce. Marr’s overdue return sees him take over an iconic local landmark, with King John’s Castle providing a fitting backdrop for a true musical blue blood.
Make sure to: Do your homework and listen to his recently released Spirit Power: The Best Of Johnny Marr compilation.

Green Day
Where: Marlay Park, Dublin
When: June 27
What:  Pop-punk power trio Green Day’s upcoming tour is set to be a larger-than-life, career-spanning celebration of one of the biggest acts of their generation. 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the diamond-certified Dookie, and the 20th anniversary of the noughties classic American Idiot. With new music in the form of their 14th LP Saviours, there’s plenty for fans to get excited about.
Make sure to: Have ample space before headbanging to ‘American Idiot’.

Malahide Castle Gigs
Where: Malahide Castle, Dublin
When: June 21 – July 7
Who: Take That, LCD Soundsystem, Shania Twain, SZA, Nicki Minaj, Arcade Fire
What: It’s hard to know where to begin with this year’s set of Malahide Castle shows. There’s New York legends LCD Soundsystem’s first Irish gig in six years; SZA’s biggest ever Irish headliner; and The Barbz bringing her Pink Friday 2 World Tour to the capital. From indie anthems to chart-topping bops, all tastes are catered to in north Dublin this summer.
Make sure to: Dust off your pink cowboy hat when Shania Twain comes to town.

The Eras Tour
Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
When: June 28-30
Who: Taylor Swift
What: A bona-fide cultural phenomenon, the Eras extravaganza has grossed over one billion dollars so far, and now, at last, the biggest tour of all time lands upon Irish shores. Those lucky enough to get their hands on tickets to Taylor Swift’s Aviva Stadium shows are the envy of music fans everywhere, as the capital prepares to be in its Eras-era for three momentous evenings.
Make sure to: Watch The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) concert film on Disney+ and get gig ready.

Credit: Paolo Villanueva

Trinity Summer Series
Where: Trinity College, Dublin
When: 26 June – July 4
Who: Tom Odell, Air, Elbow, Jane’s Addiction, Villagers, Gavin James, Paul Weller, Manic Street Preachers and Suede.
What: First taking place in 2017, the Trinity Series is set to host a brilliant selection of world-renowned acts this summer, as the annual gig series makes a welcome return. There’s a retro flavour to proceedings this time around, with Manic Street Preachers and Suede providing a tasty double bill; Jane’s Addiction kicking out the jams; and Modfather Paul Weller also getting in on the Trinity action.
Make sure to: Give it loads during Suede anthems like ‘Animal Nitrate’ and ‘Beautiful Ones’.

JULY

Hozier
Where: Marlay Park, Dublin
When: July 5
What: Off the back of scoring his first UK number 1 album with his epic third LP Unreal Unearth last year, Wicklow’s favourite songwriting son announced the biggest UK and Irish headline shows of his career (including mega gigs at Glasgow Green and Finsbury Park). His special guests for the Marlay Park date, Brittany Howard and Lord Heron, are no slouches either, with the former’s What Now already being pegged as one of the records of the year.
Make sure to: Read Dante’s Inferno and get up to speed with the inspiration for Hozier’s latest blockbuster album.

Kings Of Leon
Where: Marlay Park
When: July 6
What: Capping off another summer of high-class action in Rathfarnam are Tennessee rock royalty Kings Of Leon. Since bursting onto the scene in the early noughties, the boys have shown no signs of slowing down, as they embark on another world tour in support of their ninth studio LP, Can We Please Have Fun. Cult-heroes The War On Drugs will offer a helping hand, for what’s set to be an evening of rip-roaring rock and roll.
Make sure to: Warm up your vocal cords for the ‘Sex On Fire’ chorus.

Live at the Iveagh Gardens
Where: Iveagh Gardens, Dublin
When: July 4-21
Who: Van Morrison, Sugababes, Pillow Queens, Glen Hansard, Dropkick Murphys, Christy Moore, Passenger, Phoenix, Damien Dempsey, Paloma Faith.
What: Known as Dublin’s ‘Secret Gardens’, this snug city-centre park will play host to a slew of famous faces this summer. There’s a strong singer-songwriter theme this year, best exemplified by the legendary Van the Man – who kicks off the Iveagh Gardens action on July 4.
Make sure to: Catch Pillow Queens perform their largest ever show as part of their Name Your Sorrow tour.

Pillow Queens by Miguel Ruiz

Snow Patrol
Where: Thomond Park, Limerick
When: July 12
What: The home of Munster rugby will be the setting for a remarkably rich evening of music, as Northern Irish stars Snow Patrol play their only Irish date in 2024. Sonic appetisers come in the form of local lads Kingfishr’s atmospheric folk-pop, as well as the emotionally charged indie melodies of Dublin outfit Pillow Queens.
Make sure to: Read Gary Lightbody discuss his band’s extraordinary rise in his 2023 interview with Stuart Clark on hotpress.com

AUGUST

Galway Airport Summer Sessions
Where: Galway Airport, Galway
When: August 9-28
Who: Fatboy Slim, Belters Only, The Waterboys, The Wolfe Tones, The Coronas, The 2 Johnnies,  Pixies, Two Door Cinema Club, James Arthur.
What: The west coast will have plenty to shout about this August, with heroes old and new rocking the foundations of Galway’s (currently) out-of-action airport. Fans of The Wolfe Tones should be looking to secure their tickets with a particular sense of urgency, as the storied songsters will be hanging up their instruments in 2024, concluding a 70-year career.
Make sure to: Place your liquids in a tray before going through security.

Belfast Vital
Where: Boucher Playing Fields, Belfast
When: August 16-17
Who: Liam Gallagher and Noah Kahan
What: Two massive names descend on Northern Ireland’s capital for a couple of open-air spectacles. First up is Mancunian maverick Liam Gallagher, who’s  celebrating the 30th anniversary of Oasis’ Definitely Maybe. The following evening sees platinum-certified Vermont folkster Noah Kahan take centre-stage, as he follows up his memorable February show at 3Arena.
Make sure to: Pogo furiously when Liam kicks into ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’.

AC/DC
Where: Croke Park
When: August 17
What: Since their first show in Sydney in 1979, AC/DC have etched their Gibson-strumming, devil-horned selves into rock ‘n’ roll folklore. With their most recent album topping the charts in 21 counties, it’s evident they’ve still got it. They’re sure to offer up just as much distorted fervour as ever, as the icons cap off their first European tour in eight years at Ireland’s most famous stadium.
Make sure to: Get practising the air guitar if you want to keep up with Angus Young.

Wider Than Pictures
Where: National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin
When: August 23-27
Who: The The, Gossip, James Blunt and Deacon Blue
What: The last week in August is already shaping up to be a legendary one in Dublin gig lore – as an eclectic selection of genre-crossing heavy-hitters gear headline a series of nights in a special setting steeped in Irish history and culture.
Make sure to: Catch A Lazarus Soul supporting The The, following the release of the Dublin band’s new album, No Flowers Grow In Cement Gardens.

Blink 182
Where: Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin
When: August 27
What: Along with Green Day, Blink-182 are considered the quintessential pop-punk act of the noughties, celebrated for their addictive hooks. Back in their original lineup, the band’s gig in Dublin is set to be special for a number of reasons. Not only is it the rescheduled show after last year’s cancelled 3Arena date, there’s also the small matter of bassist Mark Hoppus recently being declared cancer-free.
Make sure to: Check out Blink’s newest LP One More Time.

Coldplay
Where: Croke Park
When: August 29 – September 2
What: Having received stellar reviews from fans and critics alike, Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres world tour is being heralded as one of the most mesmerising live shows around. The spectacle is uniquely split into four segments – Planets, Moons, Stars and Home – all meant to represent different stages of an epic journey.
The English band have shown a conscious side too, with a report by MIT revealing that the current tour has so far produced 47% less CO2 emissions than their previous stadium tour, with five million trees being planted around the world (one for each concert goer so far).
Make sure to: Try your best to hold back the tears during ‘Fix You’.

Read the full Festival Special in the current issue of Hot Press: