Festival season is upon us and after a difficult few years for the music industry, live gigs are back and better than ever.
Belfast always knows how to party so there is no wonder why some of the biggest names in the world choose to come to our little country to perform.
There's plenty happening in summer 2022 throughout the city - from Belsonic and AVA Festivals in June, to Custom House Square gigs in August and plenty of other events in between.
Read more: Major dance music event coming to Botanic Gardens this summer with Ulster Orchestra
Here's a look at the biggest gigs to look forward to over the next couple of months:
Queen and Adam Lambert, SSE Arena, May 27 & 28
Queen and Adam Lambert are set to rock Belfast with a state-of-the art show prepared to send fans wild.
The band will play their only show at The SSE Arena, Belfast on Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28.
Bryan Adams, SSE Arena, May 29
Platinum selling and Grammy Award-winning musician Bryan will perform a live arena show in Belfast this summer.
The 'Summer of '69' hitmaker has sold over 65 million records, and will be performing some of his best songs when he takes to the stage at the SSE Arena.
Simply Red, Botanic Gardens, June 2
Manchester-born soul-pop band Simply Red will be performing the unique location that is Botanic Gardens this summer.
Expect to hear the hits and hear Mick Hucknall at his best.
Billie Eilish, SSE Arena, June 3rd
Following the release of her second album ‘Happier Than Ever,’ Billie Eilish is currently on a world tour which will take her to Belfast this June.
One of the biggest artists in the world right now, this will be an unmissable chance to see the artist in the flesh.
AVA Festival, Titanic Slipway, June 3 & 4
AVA Festival, which is now into its seventh year, began as a one-day dance festival and conference in Belfast in 2015.
It has since grown into a weekend event, with as many as 10,000 people attending the September 2021 festival in Boucher Road Playing Fields.
The outdoor event is set to take place in Titanic Slipways this year, making it the first time that it will be hosted in this location.
Having previously announced that Belfast hometown heroes BICEP would be one of the headliners, festival organisers added the likes of Guernsey electronic producer Mura Masa, and English musician Jon Hopkins, to the the top of their billing
The Classical, Botanic Gardens, June 4
Lush! co-founder and resident DJ Col Hamilton will curate the one-off phenomenal, breathtaking event for the June Bank holiday weekend.
The event will tie in performances by the world-renowned Ulster Orchestra, along with Guest DJs and live vocalists playing floor fillers from the past 25 years, all produced in conjunction with Kylie Minogue’s musical director.
The Specials, Botanic Gardens, June 5
The Specials have marked in a Belfast show to their summer tour plans.
The legendary ska band will headline Live At Botanic Gardens on June 5, giving fans a chance to hear all their classics.
Ronan Keating, Waterfront Hall, June 6
Ronan Keating is bringing his Twenty Twenty tour to Belfast's Waterfront Hall on 6 June 2022. Not one to let down his fans, this is the rescheduled event which was due to take place at Botanic Gardens.
The National, Botanic Gardens, June 6
Following their stunning headlining performance at Waterford's All Together Now Festival in 2019, indie-rock behemoths The National have announced a rescheduled Belfast date for summer 2022.
Their gig at Botanic Gardens will mark their first in Belfast for over 9 years.
James Blunt, Botanic Gardens, June 11
Pop and folk-rock singer-songwriter James Blunt has added a Belfast date to his summer touring schedule this summer.
The 'You're Beautiful' singer will perform at Botanic Gardens on June 11.
Tom Jones, Botanic Gardens, June 12
Welsh superstar Tom Jones is back in Belfast after wowing crowds at Custom House Square last summer.
Coming to Live at Botanic Gardens on Sunday, June 12, it's not 'unusual' to not want to miss this massive show.
Tickets still available on Ticketmaster.ie.
Iron Maiden at Belsonic, Ormeau Park, June 13
Iron Maiden are set to play a huge gig at Ormeau Park this June, kicking off Belsonic.
'The Legacy Of The Beast' tour was postponed last summer due to Covid-19, and will now take place this year with dates right across the world.
Gerry Cinnamon at Belsonic, Ormeau Park, June 16
Gerry Cinnamon is set to perform at Ormeau Park on this summer, as part of the Belsonic summer series.
The Scottish legend is no stranger to these parts, having performed last year at the same event. Expect a brilliant atmosphere as the 'Belter' singer makes his return.
Tiësto at Belsonic, Ormeau Park, June 17
The Dutch DJ and record producer will be performing at Ormeau Park on on Friday, June 17, 2022, with guest Joel Corry joining him.
Called "The Greatest DJ of All Time" by Mixmag, Tiësto is a platinum-certified international icon.
Calvin Harris at Belsonic, Ormeau Park, June 18
One of the biggest DJs/producers/hitmakers in the world, Calvin Harris will make a triumphant return to Belfast this summer.
The Scottish artist last performed here in 2015 at T-Vital, one of the biggest gigs in recent NI history.
Picture This at Belsonic, Ormeau Park, June 19
Kildare four-piece Picture This have gone from strength to strength since they landed on the scene in 2016.
As they continue to gain international success, they'll make another stop in Belfast this summer for Belsonic.
Dermot Kennedy at Belsonic, Ormeau Park, June 23
Another Irish artist whose star has been continually rising, Dermot Kennedy will perform in Belfast on June 23rd.
The Dublin singer has charmed all and sundry with his powerful voice, and songs like 'Better Days', 'Outnumbered' and 'Giants' have become staples on the radio.
Liam Gallagher at Belsonic, Ormeau Park, June 24
The Oasis legend is set to (finally!) make his return to Belfast this summer.
Expect old hits and new.
Elbow, Waterfront Hall, June 25
Guy Garvey and co. have remained one of the most interesting bands in UK alternative-rock over the past two decades, and have gained wider success with hits like 'Grounds For Divorce' and 'One Day Like This'.
This June, they'll be bringing big-hearted, baritone-d bliss to the Waterfront Hall.
Scooter at Belsonic, Ormeau Park, June 25
Pioneers of techno, happy hardcore and trance music, Scooter have had a special place in the hearts of many from Belfast.
Their biggest ever gig will be at Ormeau Park this June.
Lewis Capaldi at Belsonic, Ormeau Park, June 26
The Scottish superstar is making his long-awaited return to Belfast this summer, as he gears up for album No. 2.
At this rescheduled show, expect good music and hilarity in equal measure.
Kings of Leon, SSE Arena, June 26
Following the release of their 8th album ‘When You See Yourself’, Kings of Leon will play Belfast SSE Arena June 26.
The show will be their first in Belfast, for 8 years
Let's Rock Northern Ireland - The Retro Festival, Ward Park, August 6
Taking place at Ward Park, this unique gig offers a line-up of artists to bring you the very best of the 80s, including Adam Ant, Wet Wet Wet, Marc Almond, ABC, Sister Sledge, Howard Jones and Chesney Hawkes - as well as almost a dozen more artists.
Madness, Custom House Square, August 7
Kicking off this year's Custom House Square festival, English ska band Madness is set to put on a brilliant performance.
Madness has had 15 singles reach the UK top ten, including "One Step Beyond", "Baggy Trousers" and "It Must Be Love".
Catch them on Sunday, August 7.
Simple Minds, Custom House Square, August 9
Simple Minds celebrate 40 iconic years by embarking upon a major world tour coupled with the release of a career-spanning compilation ‘40: The Best Of – 1979-2019‘.
The band will play Custom House Square this August.
Ben Nicky, Custom House Square, August 12 & 13
Dance artist Ben Nicky has become a household name in Belfast for his incredible shows which combine pyrotechnics with exhilarating dance music.
If you didn't get a chance to see him perform at Belsonic last year, fear not, he's playing in Belfast again this August.
Tom Grennan, Custom House Square, August 18
English singer-songwriter Tom Grennan is set to play his biggest Belfast show to date this August.
Van Morrison, Custom House Square, August 19
Van Morrison is returning to his hometown this summer for a huge outdoor gig.
The 76-year-old singer-songwriter will perform a special headline show at Custom House Square on Friday, August 19 where he will be joined by some very special guests.
Having been on the road as a travelling musician at the tender age of 15, Van drew much of his inspiration for his musical career whilst listening to his father's collection of blues, country and gospel.
Stiff Little Fingers with The Undertones, Custom House Square, August 20
Stiff Little Fingers are back with their own hometown fest!
Special guests this year are The Undertones, The Selecter, Ricky Warwick, and you - the audience.
Expect this to be a massive night for all that's good about Northern Irish music.
Stereophonics, Custom House Square, August 24
Rock sensations Stereophonics return to Northern Ireland with a headline show at Custom House Square, Belfast on Wednesday, August 24 2022 as part of CHSq.
As the band celebrated their 25th year, Stereophonics released their new Number One charting album ‘Oochya!’, on 4th March 2022 via Stylus Records through Ignition Records Ltd.
Paolo Nutini, Custom House Square, August 25
Paolo Nutini is set to make a return to Belfast this summer with a headline show.
The Scottish singer-songwriter is set to perform at Custom House Square, Belfast on Thursday, August 25, 2022.
The gig is now sold-out.
Ryan McMullan, Custom House Square, August 27
The Northern Irish artist - who in recent years has become one of the biggest acts to emerge from this country - will play at Custom House Square on August 27, 2022.
In the past year Ryan has played two sold out Belsonic shows at Ormeau Park alongside Dermot Kennedy, as well as two nights at the Waterfront Hall, and a sell-out Irish Tour.
EMERGE, Boucher Road Playing Fields, August 28 & 29
EMERGE Music Festival is a brand new annual multi-stage outdoor event brought to you by the teams behind the long-running Belfast club brand Shine and Belsonic festival.
The event will take place at the Boucher Road Playing Fields, Belfast on August 27 and 28, 2022.
Headliners Eric Prydz, Disclosure, Peggy Gou and Patrick Topping are regularly top-billed at music festivals across the globe and return to Belfast alongside a huge lineup of globally recognised electronic acts including Kettama, Mall Grab, Michael Bibi, DJ Seinfeld, Dusky, Special Request, FJAAK, Rebeckah and many others.
Read more: Olly Murs Belfast gig cancelled as singer undergoes 'major knee surgery'
Read more: Gerry Cinnamon and Ben Nicky announced for Belfast summer gigs 2022
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