The modern-day King of Pop Harry Styles kicked off a titillating summer of live music in Ireland recently.
But there's so much more to come - the cream of the crop of global music talent are flocking to Irish shores this summer and we’re truly spoiled for choice with what lies ahead.
Audrey Donohue takes a look at ten scorching hot summer gigs across the country over June, July, and August. Plus a sneaky September addition…
Blur
Excitement among Blur fans is huge ahead of their gig at Malahide Castle on 24 June. This will be their first headline show in Ireland since 2015 – yes, that long ago.
The band have promised to play their big hits and you get ready for the trip down memory lane with Alan Corr's A to Z of Blur.
Don’t miss the support act on the night – the unique Self Esteem has proven to be one of the most exciting and freshest breakout artists of recent years and is sure not to disappoint.
Iron Maiden
24 June marks a bumper day for music fans as it also sees metal legends Iron Maiden take to Dublin's 3Arena as part of their Future Past Tour.
By the time this huge run of dates is over, the band will have performed live to over three million people on this tour alone.
As well as the group's biggest songs, the setlist will feature songs from two albums – their most recent studio album, Senjutsu and 1986’s iconic Somewhere In Time record, at fans’ behest.
Needless to say, it's gonna be rowdy.
The Kooks
We challenge anyone to go to a Kooks gig and not enjoy it.
With earworms like Naïve and She Moves In Her Own Way, combined with their nostalgic sound that screams "summer", the group are armed with all the tools needed to create the ultimate breezy and laidback summer gig.
They play Dublin's Fairview Park on 28 June and at time of publication, limited tickets are still available.
The band have been on the go for almost two decades, and while their most recent record 10 Tracks to Echo in the Dark deals with themes like marriage and parenthood, they've also gained a legion of new, younger fans from a surge in popularity of their music on TikTok.
The Prodigy
Irish fans of electronic rave pioneers The Prodigy are spoiled for choice this summer, with the group playing gigs in Cork, Dublin and Belfast on 28, 29 and 30 June respectively.
These much-anticipated dates are part of the first tour that the group have done since talisman Keith Flint died in 2019.
Dermot Kennedy
Fans of music sensation Dermot Kennedy can catch the Outnumbered singer during his three-night run at Limerick's Thomond Park on 7-9 July, marking the end of his major UK and Ireland tour.
A powerful live performer, he also has two Dublin dates on 23 and 24 June at Marlay Park.
Live at Trinity Summer Series
This now-annual staple of the Dublin summer music scene, established in 2016, is back for another year and the line-up does not disappoint.
Scottish pop/rock group Texas will kickstart proceedings, followed by The War on Drugs, Bastille, Kraftwerk, Interpol, and Madness and wrapping it up will be one of our coolest exports, Róisín Murphy.
All will perform on the grounds of Trinity College between 26 June and 2 July.
The Saw Doctors
After a five-year break from touring, The Saw Doctors are very much back and have a busy summer ahead, including two nights at the Heineken Big Top at the Galway Arts Festival, taking place on 21 and 29 July.
Naturally, both gigs are long sold out but never fear – there are still tickets left for a plethora of top acts who'll play various venues during the festival, which runs from 17-30 July.
These include Susan O’Neill, All Tvvins, Jenny Greene, Sorcha Richardson and even The Kaiser Chiefs!
All Together Now
August sees festival season really kick into gear, with the relatively-new festival All Together Now taking place on 4-6 August at Curraghmore Estate, Co Waterford.
With a line-up to suit all tastes, attendees are spoilt for choice as headliners including Iggy Pop, Caribou, Jamie xx, Lankum, Villagers and Jessie Ware.
Irish acts include Le Boom, Junior Brother, Biig Piig, Lisa O'Neill, Fight Like Apes, Sorcha Richardson, David Kitt, Ailbhe Reddy and the hip-hop and grime rising star, Selló.
Early noughties pop queens Sugababes are sure to be a draw, and comedian Tommy Tiernan tops the bill at the popular Brunch on the Bandstand stage.
Shania Twain
While we're very pushing the limits of "summer", it’d be remiss of us to omit The Queen of Country who graces the 3Arena stage on 19 and 20 September.
Shania Twain is back for her first gigs in Ireland in nearly five years and is as popular as ever - tickets are like gold dust.
The country star is set to light up the Dublin venue as part of her Queen of Me tour.
Let's go girls!
