One of the best part of an Irish summer, regardless of whether the sun shines or not, is the joy of experiencing a gig exposed to the elements. There’s a vibe that just can’t be matched when you’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of other gig-goers.
Here are ten must-see gigs taking place this summer that haven’t sold out just yet – grab a ticket while you can!
1. The Weeknd – Croke Park (August 22nd & 23rd)
Even if you’re not strictly a fan of The Weeknd, you will want to see these gigs. The footage from Abel Tesfaye’s After Hours Til Dawn tour looks incredible as the Canadian r&b star stages his most ambitious live show to date, with three stages set against a thematic post-apocalyptic background. Expect pyrotechnics, a maximalist approach to performance and design, and a good ol’ boogie, too. By the time the tour (which started in 2022) finishes, it will be one of the highest-grossing of all time. Safe to say that Croker has never seen the likes.
2. Florence + the Machine – Marlay Park (June 28th)
Florence Welch has headlined Glastonbury, sold out multiple dates at venues like London’s O2 and New York’s Madison Square Garden – and this summer, her band will play their biggest Irish show to date at Dublin’s Marlay Park – they also play Limerick’s Thomond Park on June 27th. It’s interesting that these mammoth dates coincide with Welch’s most personal and vulnerable album, at least lyrically – but as the title of 2025’s Everybody Scream suggests, there’s plenty of bombast and bluster in there, too.
Florence + the Machine play their biggest Irish show to date
3. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Malahide Castle (June 10th)
If you’ve ever seen Nick Cave live, you’ll be familiar with the Aussie rock god’s ethereal command of any stage. If you’ve never had the pleasure, here’s your chance to remedy it with a big, bolshy outdoor spectacle that takes in four decades of the band’s output, including their most recent album Wild God. Support comes from the inimitable Swedish indiepop heroine Lykke Li and new Irish alt-rockers Bleech 9:3.
4. Metallica – Aviva Stadium (June 19th and 21st)
If metal is your bag, you simply cannot afford to miss these gigs. Now in their 45th year of existence, Metallica remain a live force to be reckoned with – and this brace of gigs at the Aviva Stadium, as part of their M72 world tour, will be a real treat for fans of James Hetfield and co. It’s the first time they’ve played Ireland since headlining Slane in 2019, and their ‘No Repeat’ policy means that both nights will be different setlists with different supports (a mix of Gojira, Pantera, Knocked Loose and Avatar). If you can’t choose, you might just have to go to both.
Grammy winner Olivia Dean
5. Olivia Dean – Marlay Park (June 21st)
She is just two albums deep into her career, but the fact that Olivia Dean is already at the level of headlining major venues like Marlay Park is testament to her incredible popularity. The London pop/r&b star is flying high following the success of last year’s The Art of Loving, as well as dominating this year’s BRIT Awards by picking up Best Artist, Album, Pop Act and Song of the Year. This will be one of the big pop gigs of the summer, without a doubt.
6. David Byrne – St. Anne’s Park (June 7th)
David Byrne is already in the running for Gig of the Year thanks to his game-changing Who is the Sky? tour date at the 3Arena in March. What could possibly top it – perhaps the same show, except outside, on a sunny day in Dublin’s St. Anne’s Park, with a stellar support act (Arlo Parks)? The Talking Heads frontman and his band put on a spectacular display of music, choreography and magic, with hits drawn from across his incredible career and a voice that sounds as good as ever. Trust us: you will never see a show like it. Go.
Wet Leg are coming to Trinty College
7. Wet Leg – Trinity College Summer Series (July 1st)
They’re one of the most exciting bands on the planet right now, and last year Wet Leg proved that they’re no flash in the pan with their superb second album Moisturizer. The indie-rockers, led by Isle of Wight duo Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, play their biggest Irish headliner to date in the beautiful grounds of Trinity College Dublin. We do love a summer gig that you don’t have to spend hours trekking home from.
8. Johnny Marr – Live at the Iveagh Gardens (July 10th)
One of the most influential musicians of his (and arguably any) generation, the legendary Johnny Marr will wield his mighty axe in the exquisite surrounds of Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens this summer. Marr has cultivated an impressive solo career under his own name over the past decade or so, but his live setlist is sprinkled with hits that everyone will know – including a generous helping of Smiths tracks. This charming man, indeed.
Beach Boy Mike Love (centre) pays tribute to their Pet Sounds LP
9. The Beach Boys: 60 years of Pet Sounds – Custom House Square, Belfast (June 21st)
There are many purists who will argue that it’s not The Beach Boys without the late, great Brian Wilson – and they’d be right. However, the seminal Pet Sounds is an album that ought to be celebrated at every opportunity, and this iteration of the Californian band, led by Mike Love, will pay homage to its genius in Belfast this summer. It’s the only Irish date on their tour.
10. David Gray: Past & Present Tour – Live at the Marquee, Cork (June 13th & 14th)
The honorary Irishman (who was born in Wales and raised in Manchester) returns for another round of gigs this summer to celebrate his ‘Past & Present’ tour. As the title suggests, the setlist will draw from his extensive back catalogue as well as his recent fare: if ever there was a man capable of crowd-pleasers, it’s David Gray so expect more than a few massive singalongs. Even better: the wonderful Divine Comedy will be joining him on his run of Irish dates, which also includes Belfast’s SSE Arena (June 16th) and Dublin’s Fairview Park (June 17th).
Lauren Murphy is the co-host of the weekly culture podcast Get Around To It – listen here