After the pandemic put a halt to many concerts over the last two years, this summer will see a return of some of the biggest gigs since Covid-19.
This summer, there is something on for everyone, kicking off this weekend right through to September.
It was hard to narrow it down to just 25, but here are some of the biggest concerts to catch over the next few months.
Read more: Justin Bieber and Bruce Springsteen fans rage as ‘disgraceful’ ticket price revealed for Irish dates
1. Life
Life Festival will make a return to Belvedere House in Westmeath from this Friday to Sunday. English duo Camelphat and DJs Nina Kraviz and Sonny Fodera are headlining this festival, with the likes of Boots & Kats, Meduza, Tommy Holohan and Chantel Kavanagh making appearances over the weekend.
2. Queen + Adam Lambert
Brian May, Roger Taylor and Adam Lambert will take to the stage in Belfast’s SSE Area this Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28, as part of The Rhapsody Tour. The trio played Marlay Park back in 2018, but a Dublin date is not on this 10-week performance calendar.
3. The Coronas
For the first time in two years, Live at the Marquee shows are back, with The Coronas kicking off the lineup on May 27. Comedians such as Joanne McNally, Tommy Tiernan, John Bishop and Dara O Briain will all have shows, as well as the likes of Crowded House, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Pet Shop Boys and Tom Jones.
4. Forbidden Fruit
Spread over the June bank holiday weekend, acts such as Lorde, BICEP, Gemma Dunleavy, The Avalanches and more will perform at this year’s Forbidden Fruit. 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the festival.
5. Billie Eilish
Also on the bank holiday weekend, American singer Billie Eilish will play the 3Arena on June 4 and 5. The gig is part of her Happier Than Ever world tour, which has already kicked off in the states. Eilish will play 18 dates in Europe, including Belfast, London, Berlin and Amsterdam, before heading to Australia.
6. Dermot Kennedy
Dermot Kennedy has a number of gigs planned this summer, including Gleneagle INEC Arena on June 7 and 8, St Annes Park on June 10 and 11, Ormeau Park on June 23, Malahide Castle on June 24 and Musgrave Park on June 25. He will also make an appearance at Electric Picnic at the end of the summer.
7. Duran Duran
British new wave legends Duran Duran will play St Annes Park on June 12 as part of a summer tour throughout Europe, Canada and North America. The group closed Electric Picnic back in 2017 and haven’t been back since.
8. The Killers
Malahide Castle will welcome The Killers, with support from Sam Fender, on June 14 and 15. Other acts playing the venue this summer include Kodaline on June 17, Picture This on June 18 and Gerry Cinnamon on June 19.
9. Sea Sessions
Set beside the beach in Bundoran, Sea Sessions is a truly unique experience. Surfing, swimming or yoga on the sand is the perfect hangover cure for the morning after. The likes of Kodaline, Tinie, Basement Jaxx, Kneecap, Lyra and more all make up this year’s line-up. This festival kicks off on June 16.
10. Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris will return to Belfast this summer on June 18, after his show at Tennent’s Vital back in 2015. It comes as part of the festival Belsonic, which is held in Ormeau Park. Iron Maiden and Tiësto also make up the line-up.
11. Harry Styles
Harry Styles will bring his Love On Tour show to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on June 22, with support from Arlo Parks. The star will perform in 32 cities as part of his tour before heading to Latin America to conclude it.
12. Lewis Capaldi
Glaswegian singer Lewis Capaldi is set to play a number of Irish gigs this summer, including Musgrave Park on June 24, Malahide Castle on June 25 and Ormeau Park on June 26. Capaldi was due to play Malahide and Cork back in 2020, with shows having to be re-scheduled as a result of Covid.
13. Eagles
The Aviva will also welcome the American rock group Eagles this summer. The band will play the stadium on June 24, before heading to London’s Hyde Park as part of the British Summer Time festival.
14. Hella Mega Tour: Green Day, Fall Out Boy & Weezer
This show includes three huge rock acts and was first announced back in 2019. Green Day, Fall Out Boy & Weezer will play on June 27 in Marlay Park, having first been planned for the RDS.
15. Guns N’ Roses
Following on from their massive Slane Castle gig back in 2017, Guns N’ Roses will play Marlay Park on June 28. The group will be joined by musician Gary Clark Jr for their tour, which moves on to London and Glasgow after.
16. Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers will also take to the stage in Marlay Park, playing one day after Guns N’ Roses on June 29th. This show will be the first Irish show since 2017 and will mark their long-awaited re-union with guitarist John Frusciante. For this gig, Anderson Paak & The Free Nationals and Thundercat will support.
17. Longitude
This year’s Longitude will kick off on July 1 in Marlay Park. A$AP Rocky, Megan Thee Stallion, Denise Chaila, Jack Harlow and Tyler, the Creator are just some of the acts in this year’s line-up.
18. Elton John
Elton John ’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour will finally come to Pairc Ui Chaoimh this summer on July 1 after a number of gigs had to be postponed as a result of Covid and an injury sustained by the singer. While Dublin and Belfast were pushed forward, the Cork show is unaffected.
19. Westlife
Irish boy band Westlife will play the Aviva Stadium on July 8 and 9, before shows in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on August 12 and 13. These gigs follow on from their 2019 re-union tour across 27 countries. The Wild Dreams Tour promises to deliver all of their hits.
20. Sinead O’Connor
Sinead O’Connor is set to play Iveagh Gardens on July 17 as part of the Live At The Iveagh Gardens shows. Fontaines DC, Pixies, James Blunt and Rex Orange County also have gigs lined up in the venue. O’Connor will have support from Dublin alt-pop group Soda Blonde on the night.
21. All Together Now
At the end of July, the three-day All Together Now festival returns to the Curraghmore Estate in Waterford. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Sinead O’Connor, CMAT, Pillow Queens, Denise Chaila, Mango x MathMan and Groove Armada are just some of the acts that make up this line-up.
22. Indie22
That same weekend, July 29-31, Indie22 will take place in Mitchelstown, Cork. Rudimental, Bastille, Fatboy Slim, Bobbi Arlo, Erica-Cody, Daði Freyr and Lyra will all take to the stage over the weekend.
23. Denise Chaila
Denise Chaila will play King John’s Castle in Limerick on August 20th. The gig will be her largest headline show to date, and we’re sure there are many more to come.
24. Liam Gallagher
Oasis legend Liam Gallagher will play Royal Hospital Kilmainham on August 27. It follows a number of shows including two nights in Knebworth Park and the Etihad Stadium in the UK, as well as European shows.
25. Electric Picnic
Rounding off a summer of amazing gigs, Electric Picnic takes place from September 2 to September 4. This year’s line-up includes Tame Impala, Arctic Monkeys, Anne-Marie, Pixies, Megan Thee Stallion, Snow Patrol and many more. CMAT, Orla Gartland, Denise Chaila, Annie Mac and The Kooks will also appear over the weekend. The festival will take place at its usual home of Stradbally, Co Laois.
Read more: Chris Rock announces 'Ego Death' world tour - and here's where to get tickets
Read more: Phoebe Bridgers announces Irish concert date after recent trip with Normal People beau Paul Mescal
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter.
