Bray Jazz Festival
Until Sunday, May 3rd, Bray, Co Wicklow, brayjazz.com
The festival turns 25 with some characteristically diverse, adventurous music. International headliners include the pianists Fred Hersch, Roberto Fonseca and Harold López-Nussa. Irish highlights include the guitarist Tommy Halferty with a top-tier quartet; the improvising vocalist Jenna Harris and her Dublin trio Berri; the highly interactive piano trio Origin Story; and Yurodny, a much-admired ensemble that “throws open the borders between jazz, Balkan groove and Eastern-European folk”.
Kilkenny Roots Festival
Until Monday, May 4th, Kilkenny city, kilkennyroots.com
This annual event, which began in 1998, is always worth a look-in. If you haven’t been before, you can get a taste of what it’s all about on the free pub-gig trail.
Momentum
Until Monday, May 4th, Oranmore, Co Galway, momentumfestival.ie
The first of this year’s headliners at the four-day festival were The Stunning, on Friday; still to come are B*witched, on Saturday, The Coronas, on Sunday, and (after sets from Cliffords and Madra Salach) The Scratch, on bank holiday Monday.
The Greenfields Festival
Saturday, May 2nd, and Sunday, May 3rd, Ballykilcavan Estate, Stradbally, Co Laois, thegreenfieldsfestival.ie
After beginning life in Athy, in Co Kildare, this early-summer event has moved to a bigger set-up near where Electric Picnic brings each summer of music to a close. The eclectic bill includes Dec Pierce’s Block Rockin’ Beats, The Human League, Le Boom, Level 42, The Fureys, Vengaboys and Whigfield.
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West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival
May 20th-24th, Co Wicklow, westwicklowfestival.com
Key concerts at this year’s event include the pianist Fiachra Garvey, the soul/jazz vocalist China Moses and, with the pianist Dylan Perez, the opera singers Jennifer Davis and Nicky Spence.
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival
May 26th-June 1st, Co Waterford and Co Cork, blackwatervalleyopera.ie
Set across historic houses and other Blackwater Valley venues, this summer festival combines grandeur of setting with great opera. The headline production is Mozart’s Don Giovanni, directed by Tom Creed and featuring Jolyon Loy in the title role.
Amble
May 29th, St Anne’s Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Amble have their origins in a mission to sing covers in pubs for pints. It wasn’t long before the folk-pop – and low-key charm – of Robbie Cunningham, Oisín McCaffrey and Ross McNerney brought them into the mainstream. This year they picked up the RTÉ Choice Music Prize awards for breakthrough artist and, with Schoolyard Days, Irish song of the year.
Night & Day
Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, Co Roscommon, nightandday.ie
Look out for The Saw Doctors, Imelda May, The Boomtown Rats, Hothouse Flowers, Richard Thompson, Soda Blonde and Paddy Casey.
When Next We Meet
May 29th-31st, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, whennextwemeet.ie
This boutique festival focuses on alternative Irish artists – watch out for Babyrat, from Cork, on the first night – but this year it’s also hosting the duo of Mick Flannery and Susan O’Neill and, on the final night, The Waterboys.
CMAT
May 30th, St Anne’s Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson is a true original, an artist who makes glittery, danceable songs about the state of the nation, mixing offbeat humour with autobiography and political analysis. Her performances this summer – she also plays in Cork on June 20th and at Electric Picnic over the last weekend in August – follow the huge success of her third album, the Choice Music Prize-winner Euro-Country.
Forbidden Fruit
May 30th-31st, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, forbiddenfruit.ie
Kaytranada – one of the biggest draws on this year’s bill – is joined by Kettama, Joy Crookes and Nia Archives, among other notable names. We’d particularly recommend catching Bricknasty.
Snow Patrol
May 31st, St Anne’s Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Anthems of love and loss from Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly and Johnny McDaid.
Galway Folk Festival
June 3rd-7th, Galway city, galwayfolkfestival.com
Spread across a range of the city’s venues, Galway Folk Festival has a more intimate feel than the summer’s big outdoor festivals, with a focus on songwriting and storytelling.
Who’s playing?
The Divine Comedy: Expect clever songwriting, dry humour and a big emotional sweep from Neil Hannon.
Lisa O’Neill: Memorably described as Ireland’s Edith Piaf, Lisa O’Neill puts on magnetic, intense, stripped-back shows. Drawing on traditional Irish folk, her songs seem to tap into a dark well of the collective unconscious.
Also look out for...
We’d make a beeline for Róis, whose atmospheric blend of folk, experimental pop and haunting vocals makes her one of the most interesting voices in the line-up.
Addison Rae
June 3rd, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The former TikTok star’s songs have echoes of Lana Del Rey and Madonna, as the New York Times has pointed out; she specialises in pop that’s cool and controlled one minute, breathy and sweaty the next.
Dublin International Chamber Music Festival
June 4th-10th, Dublin, dicmf.com
Seven days of classical concerts, featuring Hugh Tinney and Errollyn Wallen, among others.
Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival
June 4th-7th, Co Mayo, westportfolkandbluegrass.com
Key concerts include Honouring the Past and Celebrating the Future (Thursday), American Old-Time Music (Friday), It’s All About Bluegrass (Saturday) and The “Folky Thing” (Sunday).
Kingfishr
June 5th, St Anne’s Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
You may have heard Killeagh enough times last year never to want to hear it again, but there’s no denying the popularity of Kingfishr’s indie-influenced take on folk.
David Byrne
June 7th, St Anne’s Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The Talking Heads frontman has been delivering art-pop brilliance for decades, always moving in new and unexpected directions. His 3Arena show in March sold out; here’s another chance to catch him.
Nick Cave
June 10th, Malahide Castle, Co Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The inimitable singer’s concerts, featuring his intricate, thoughtful, gospel-inflected music, are such a singular experience that you can almost feel as if you’re being indoctrinated into a religious cult.
Belsonic
June 12th-July 1st, Ormeau Park, Belfast, belsonic.com
Headliners include Teddy Swims, Def Leppard, The Cure, Kings of Leon, Pitbull and Michael Bublé.
Beyond the Pale
June 12th-14th, Co Wicklow, itsbeyondthepale.ie
Who’s playing?
Caribou: Dan Snaith makes songs that combine stylish electro with the heart of traditional love ballads. This is a great late-night show, with immersive visuals and moving, hypnotic music.
Soulwax: The Belgian brothers David and Stephen Dewaele, who began in the 1990s, make dance music as muscular and loud as rock. They have remained amazingly prolific, able to adapt and move in new directions.
Father John Misty: Starting out as the drummer for Fleet Foxes, Josh Tillman has gone on to create some of the most inspired (and weirdest) indie music of the past decade, with its cinematic, satirical vision of the United States.
Primal Scream: Formed in Glasgow in 1982, Bobby Gillespie and company are still going strong, showcasing a mix of rock, funk, electronic and soul.
Also look out for
We’d head straight for Horace Andy, the Jamaican reggae singer, whose unmistakable voice came to wider attention through his collaboration with Massive Attack. And check out Madra Salach, who put a twist on Irish folk.
David Gray
June 16th, SSE Arena, Belfast, ticketmaster.co.uk; June 17th, Fairview Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Expect plenty of big singalong moments when the beloved songwriter returns with his soulful, yearning ballads.
Kasabian
June 16th, Fairview Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Stadium-ready anthems from the English band.
Kodaline
June 17th, Ulster Hall, Belfast, ticketmaster.co.uk; June 19th, Virgin Media Park, Cork; and June 20th, Malahide Castle, Co Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Steve Garrigan, Mark Prendergast, Vincent May and Jason Boland have been performing together since 2005. After three number-one albums (and a fourth that reached number two) the Irish band have said that these are their farewell shows, following their decision last year to split up.
Tunefest
June 17th-21st, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, tunefest.ie
Concerts, pub sessions, workshops, busking and informal communal music-making.
Coming Together
June 19th and 20th, Dundalk, Co Louth, louthcms.org
Louth Contemporary Music Society marks 20 years with a series of concerts.
Metallica
June 19th and 21st, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The heavy-metal royalty play two gigs with separate set lists and different guests, as part of what James Hetfield and company describe as no-repeat weekends.
CMAT
June 20th, Virgin Media Park, Cork, ticketmaster.ie
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson is a true original, an artist who makes glittery, danceable songs about the state of the nation, mixing offbeat humour with autobiography and political analysis. Her performances this summer – she also plays St Anne’s Park in Dublin on May 30th and Electric Picnic between August 28th and 30th – follow the huge success of her third album, the Choice Music Prize-winner Euro-Country.
Olivia Dean
June 20th and 21st, Marlay Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The young London singer, who scooped four Brit Awards and a Grammy this year, brings her carefree, summery music to Ireland.
Teddy Swims
June 23rd, Malahide Castle, Co Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Vulnerable songwriting and a powerful voice.
The Cure
June 26th, Marlay Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie; June 28th, Belsonic, Ormeau Park, Belfast, belsonic.com
Robert Smith and his band perform their eerie, tortured, achingly beautiful songs.
West Cork Chamber Music Festival
June 26th-July 5th, Bantry, Co Cork, westcorkmusic.ie
Celebrating its 31st year, West Cork Chamber Music Festival is one of the country’s most respected classical music events, drawing Irish and international performers to Bantry.
Calvin Harris
June 27th, Marlay Park, Dublin; June 28th, Malahide Castle, Co Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Hugely danceable hits from the Scottish DJ, producer and songwriter. (He also plays at Belfast Vital on August 22nd.)
Ethel Cain
June 27th, Fairview Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Southern gothic songs delivered with smoky sexiness.
Florence + the Machine
June 28th, Marlay Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Operatic art-pop with a Pre-Raphaelite aesthetic that still moves stadiums.
James Arthur
June 29th, Trinity College Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The husky-voiced X Factor winner does a good line in tear-jerking melodies.
Empire of the Sun
June 30th, Fairview Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The Australian electronic-music duo of Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore are behind chart-topping singles such as Walking on a Dream and We Are the People.
Maroon 5
June 30th, Malahide Castle, Co Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The American band have released an astonishing number of durable, well-crafted pop songs. No wonder they’ve had such a long and successful career.
Pitbull
June 30th, Ormeau Park, Belfast, ticketmaster.co.uk; July 7th, Marlay Park, Dublin; July 8th, Thomond Park, Limerick, ticketmaster.ie
Mr Worldwide promises a nostalgic, fun, unpretentious gig.
Stephen Wilson jnr
June 30th, Trinity College Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
This rising star of American music has a sound that he calls Death Cab for Country. (He also plays the SSE Arena, in Belfast, on October 15th, ticketmaster.co.uk)
Wet Leg
July 1st, Trinity College Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Witty, cool, utterly distinctive indie music from Rhian Teasdale and company.
Glen Hansard
July 2nd, Trinity College Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The Frames frontman brings his emotionally charged solo work to TCD.
Nile Rodgers & Chic
July 2nd, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
From Chic and Sister Sledge to David Bowie and Daft Punk, Nile Rodgers is a production and playing superstar – and, perhaps, the ultimate pop collaborator.
Stendhal Festival
July 2nd-4th, Limavady, Co Derry, stendhalfestival.com
With Mary Coughlan, Kíla, Mad Professor and more.
Cian Ducrot
July 3rd, Trinity College Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Piano-led pop from the Grammy-winning Irish singer-songwriter.
Dylan Gossett
July 3rd, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The singer-songwriter from Texas, whose 2023 single Coal went viral, has become a major new country voice.
The Kooks
July 4th, Custom House Square, Belfast, ticketmaster.co.uk; July 5th, Trinity College Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Nostalgic, catchy indie sleaze.
Liberty Music Festival
July 4th-5th, Thurles, Co Tipperary, libertymusicfestival.ie
Ireland’s largest tribute-band festival features Acquiesce, Qween and Waterloo, who cover Oasis, Queen and Abba. You could probably have guessed those last two.
OMD
July 4th, Trinity College Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark may not have been the hippest of British new-wave bands, but some of their music has proved remarkably enduring (and who would have figured Andy McCluskey as the Svengali behind Atomic Kitten?).
The Scratch
July 4th, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The Dublin four-piece began by beefing up their folk music with heavier elements; more recently they’ve gone metal with a vengeance.
Take That
July 4th, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
A night of nostalgia and good, unpretentious pop fun from Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald.
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
July 5th, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
This show from the indefatigable Elvis Costello, one of the most prolific songwriters of the past half-century, features his earlier music, from the period that spans Watching the Detectives, Alison and Brilliant Mistake, among others.
Mumford & Sons
July 5th, Marlay Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Cheerful bombast from the first stadium folk band.
Johnny Marr
July 10th, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The sound-defining Smiths guitarist still makes daring and melodic indie rock.
Bell X1
July 11th, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Expect soaring melodies and sharp lyrics from the Kildare rock band.
Dermot Kennedy
July 11th, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The adored Irish singer inflects booming love songs with elements of old Irish ballads.
James Taylor
July 12th, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Expect Fire and Rain, You’ve Got a Friend and How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You), among others, from the six-time Grammy winner.
Galway International Arts Festival
July 13th-26th, Galway, giaf.ie
Definitely one of the most tastefully curated festivals on the summer calendar, with plenty of music worth making time for.
Who’s playing?
Patti Smith: The timelessly cool American singer, songwriter and poet will perform some of her classics at the festival big top on July 15th.
The Flaming Lips: After 40 years The Flaming Lips are still one of the great live bands, playing intricate, intelligent and emotionally raw rock. They perform on July 16th.
Also look out for
Who can resist heading along to Sophie Ellis-Bextor, the Murder on the Dancefloor singer, whose online Kitchen Discos saved many a lockdown evening from monotony? She plays the festival big top on July 22nd.
James Morrison & Emeli Sandé
July 16th, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie; July 18th, Galway International Arts Festival, giaf.ie
A joint concert from these two distinctive voices.
Damien Dempsey
July 17th, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Songs about Dublin life with a social conscience and a broad range of influences, from folk to reggae.
Garbage
July 18h, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Dark, stylish, effortlessly glamorous alternative rock.
Luke Combs
July 18th and 19th, Slane Castle, Co Meath, ticketmaster.ie
Modern country at its most plain-spoken, with stories of family discord, beer-and-trucks anthems, and small-town love songs.
Charlie Puth
July 19th, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Expect big singalong pop hits from the We Don’t Talk Anymore star.
Forest Fest
July 24th-26th, Emo, Co Laois, forestfest.ie
The increasingly head-turning festival this year features Echo & The Bunnymen, James and Madness at the top of a bill that also includes The Charlatans, The Undertones, Deacon Blue and The Boomtown, among others.
Belfast Tradfest
July 26th-August 2nd, Belfast, belfasttraditionalmusic.com
Masterclasses in bodhrán, concertina, fiddle, tin whistle, harp, flute, set dancing and more.
All Together Now
July 30th-August 2nd, Curraghmore Estate, Co Waterford, alltogethernow.ie
No longer a boutique festival, this increasingly strong event features a line-up that gives Electric Picnic a run for its money.
Who’s playing?
Pulp: Jarvis Cocker’s Britpop legends bring sharp wit, nostalgia and huge singalong moments. Alongside the stage banter, expect a set list studded with bangers like Common People, Disco 2000 and Babies.
Kneecap: One of Ireland’s most talked-about live acts blur rap, rave and punk energy – not to mention politics – into something loud, abrasive and urgent.
Disclosure: The Lawrence brothers remain among the strongest electronic headliners around, delivering sleek house music built for outdoor summer sets and late-night highs.
Underworld: Formed in Cardiff in the late 1980s, the electronic duo are best known for sexy, brooding, nocturnal songs like Born Slippy.
Also look out for...
Head for the avant-garde Swedish performer Anna von Hausswolff, whose intense, dramatic live shows can feel closer to a ritual than to a regular set.
The Prodigy
August 20th, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
High-voltage electronic music from a band who put on a relentless, blistering show at 3Arena in Dublin in May. Be ready to dance.
Moby
August 21st, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
One of the defining electronic artists of the 1990s, Moby became justly famous for his samples and his big, monolithic sound.
Another Love Story
August 21st-23rd, Killyon Manor, Co Meath, anotherlovestory.ie
Acts confirmed so far for this boutique festival include LTJ Bukum, Bradley Zero, Mad Professor, and Stella and the Dreaming.
The Weeknd & Playboi Carti
August 22nd and 23rd, Croke Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The Weeknd brings his vision of the bardo to Croke Park alongside the Atlanta rapper Playboi Carti. One of the biggest, most exciting (and most expensive) gigs of the summer.
Amyl and the Sniffers
August 25th and 26th, Collins Barracks, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Bratty, funny, punky Melbourne band fronted by Amy Taylor.
Deftones
August 25th, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
It’s hard to categorise a band with a seductively soft metal sound, but that’s probably why Chino Moreno and company have built such a loyal following.
Faye Webster
August 27th, Collins Barracks, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Exceptional lyrical indie music: witty, emotionally precise and relatable.
Berlioz
August 28th, Collins Barracks, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Smooth, jazzy, elegant electronic music.
Electric Picnic
August 28th-30th, Stradbally Hall, Co Laois, electricpicnic.ie
The biggest beast in Irish festivals returns with another vast, wide-ranging bill.
Who’s playing?
Fontaines DC: Seven years after Dogrel, their breakout debut album, launched them on the international stage, the Dublin-based band come home to claim EP’s prestigious Sunday-night headline slot. Expect brooding basslines, grittily romantic lyrics and huge singalongs.
Gorillaz: It’s a quarter-century since Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett released the first Gorillaz album, when many laughed at the concept of a “cartoon band”; at best it seemed like a novelty, at worst an outlandish misstep for the Blur frontman. The band’s fans, including everyone who packed 3Arena in Dublin for two outstanding nights in April, would disagree.
CMAT: Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson is a true original, an artist who makes glittery, danceable songs about the state of the nation, mixing offbeat humour with autobiography and political analysis. Following the huge success of her third album, Euro-Country, the Irish star returns to headline Electric Picnic.
Geese: There has been plenty of hype around the New Yorkers, especially since their Coachella gigs in April, but they really are one of the most exciting bands in the world right now. Cameron Winter’s unique, effortlessly cool vocal style is at the heart of the band’s success – as are their unpredictable, slightly feral live performances.
Also look out for
We’ll be heading for the American rapper and singer Jpegmafia and the French singer, producer and DJ Oklou, two smaller but emotionally charged acts.
Mac DeMarco
August 29th, Collins Barracks, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
The Canadian critical darling makes complicated, woozy, melodic indie music.
Bon Jovi
August 30th, Croke Park, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
Arena rock at its purest and most nostalgic.
Super Furry Animals
August 30th, Collins Barracks, Dublin, ticketmaster.ie
If you didn’t catch the cult Welsh band at 3Olympia Theatre in May, they’re headlining Collins Barracks’ final summer gig of 2026.
With contributions from Philip Watson, Ed Power, Tony Clayton-Lea and Liam Stebbing
