Attending live music performances is the favourite hobby of many people, some of whom are so dedicated to the artists whose work they love that they end up saving for months and even travelling to other countries or continents to attend the shows. Some may not see the appeal, but those who love concerts will be able to tell you about the unique sensory experience they offer, as well as the strong sense of community they foster. Being able to share the same space with many people who like the same thing and bring the same energy is something that simply cannot be matched by any recording, no matter how high-quality it might be.
Seeing music played live is an emotional experience through and through, but in order to ensure that your experience is as good as it could possibly be you need to plan ahead and start buying tickets as early as you can since, in many cases, they end up entirely sold out quite fast, a characteristic that has become exacerbated in the aftermath of the pandemic, when people were unable to go to concerts or live events of any kind. If you’re in Ireland (a country with deep ties to music and singing, with music having a role in preserving heritage, fostering storytelling, and being a crucial part of identity and remembering history), here are a few of the gigs you should consider attending in 2026.
TradFest
If you’re travelling to this incredible country, you definitely want to get a Holafly plan for Ireland before you leave. There are many beautiful places to see, and you’ll certainly wish to share them with everyone back home as well. Having an eSIM allows you to do so without the additional charges. After all, Ireland isn’t called the Emerald Isle for nothing. Visiting Dublin should definitely be on your list as well, though, especially if you want to join the TradFest, a music and culture festival that takes place every year. Several genres are included, such as traditional Irish music, folk rock, nu folk, world music, and Celtic folk.
The festival takes place in late January, being an opportunity for people to have some fun and for visitors to come to Ireland during a month that is traditionally not associated with celebrations. The venues include castles and cathedrals as well as community centres, combining the beauty of the arts and performances with that of the surrounding architecture to create memorable experiences for everybody.
Lily Allen
English singer Lily Allen is returning to Dublin for the first time in seven years and is set to play for two nights, on June 30th and July 1st, the last two dates of the artist’s most recent tour. The Lily Allen: Performs West End Girl will conclude on July 7th, at the O2 Arena in London. Allen’s “West End Girl”, her 5th studio album, was released on October 24th, 2025, receiving acclaim from music critics and fans alike. Several publications designated it as one of the best albums of the year, with its narrative in particular being highly praised.
It peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart, being certified Silver with 60,000 units. It reached the top ten in Ireland (four on Irish Albums and number one on Irish Independent Albums), Australia, and New Zealand.
The Cure
English Gothic rock legends The Cure will perform in Dublin on June 26th, in Marlay Park. The band has released fourteen studio albums and sold more than 30 million records worldwide, being among the most popular groups to ever exist due to their pioneering sound (which they began adopting with the development and release of their second album, Seventeen Seconds, in 1980). Their fourteenth album, “Songs of a Lost World”, features space rock as well and was the band’s first work comprised of new material in almost two decades.
Released on November 1st 2024, it was praised for its lyrics, the vocal performance of Robert Smith, and its dark atmosphere. It is The Cure’s first album to reach number one in the United Kingdom since 1992’s “Wish” and became one of the best and fastest-selling albums of 2024, reaching number one in several countries, including the Netherlands, Poland, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, France, and Germany. A remix album, “Mixes of a Lost World”, was released on June 13th, 2025.
Classical music
Classical music is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, with more and more people interested in giving it a try. Younger audiences in particular are quite keen on it. Many have discovered the genre via social media posts, where classical pieces are used to accompany video content. However, if you want to enjoy it the traditional way, in a concert hall, there will be many chances to do so in Ireland this year. Brittany-native musician and composer Yann Tiersen, who just released a studio album in 2025 (“Rathlin from a Distance”, the title of which alludes to the Rathlin Island of Northern Ireland, the country’s northernmost point, with 141 inhabitants according to the 2021 census and which Tiersen observed from his boat) will play at The Button Factory in Dublin on January 29th.
“David Attenborough’s Ocean In Concert” will take place on March 7th at 3Arena in Dublin, an event that blends soaring tunes with stunning cinematics. It will feature unique underwater footage from the “Ocean with David Attenborough” film, paired with the score from Oscar-winning composer Steven Price, who was also part of the music department of two The Lord of the Rings films, The Two Towers and The Return of the King, performed live and in sync by both an orchestra and a choir. The concert is part of a tour marking Attenborough’s centenary, blending the respect for his work with the enduring hope for environmental recovery.
“The World of Hans Zimmer – a New Dimension” can also be experienced in Dublin on October 4th, also at 3Arena. It will feature both new and classic arrangements from Zimmer’s iconic and beloved film scores, including those of Dune, Interstellar, and The Dark Knight. If you love fantasy, you’ll definitely want to secure tickets at “The Witcher – In Concert”, on either October 21st or the 22nd, at Vicar Street. The event will also combine visuals with the series’ well-known music, brought live by an array of traditional and modern instruments.
If you want to attend more live music shows this year, Ireland is definitely the place to do it. There are so many options to try, from those you may be familiar with already to the brand-new, so there’s no way you could possibly get bored.
