Who is popular today?

Ireland's lineup of gigs and album releases for 2022 looks to rejuvenate the industry – and music fans across the country

Gigs in January 2022
Gilla Band January 14th/21st/29th, Whelan’s, Dublin One word: earplugs.
Tradfest January 26th-30th, various venues in Dublin Top-notch folk/roots/trad fare here, folks. Acts performing include Fairport Convention, Kate Rusby, Peggy Seeger, Martin and Eliza Carthy, and The Lost Brothers.
Gigs in February 2022
Soda Blonde February 5th-18th, various venues Quality Irish band playing in Dublin, Listowel, Limerick, Belfast, Galway.
Eddi Reader February 10th-26th Comprehensive nationwide tour by acclaimed Scottish singer/songwriter.
Mary Black February 18th, INEC, Killarney, Co Kerry; February 19th, Theatre Royal, Waterford; February 24th, Opera House, Cork; February 25th, Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick Enduring Irish performer embarks on a rare mini-tour.



US songwriter St Vincent will play Fairview Park, Dublin, on June 26th. Photograph: Getty Images


Denise Chaila February 25th, 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin The hottest Irish act right now deservedly ups the game with her biggest show to date. 
Gigs in March 2022
Dave March 3rd, 3Arena, Dublin Much praised UK rapper delivers tracks from his two albums, 2019’s Psychodrama and 2021’s We’re All Alone in This Together.
CMAT March 9th, Cyprus Avenue, Cork; March 10th, Dolan’s, Limerick; March 11th, The Academy, Dublin; March 12th, Limelight 2, Belfast Much anticipated live shows from the uber-smart Irish singer and songwriter, who will be performing songs from her debut album, If My Wife New I’d be Dead.
Country To Country March 11th-13th, 3Arena, Dublin US country big names come out to play. Acts include Luke Combs, Darius Rucker, and Miranda Lambert.
Randy Newman March 15th, Vicar Street, Dublin Satiric, cynical, smart-arse and witty – a songwriter’s songwriter comes to town.
Fatboy Slim March 16th, 3Arena, Dublin; March 18th, SSE Arena, Belfast Confident club-friendly crowd-pleaser on a St Patrick’s two-day bender.
The Mary Wallopers March 17th, Vicar Street, Dublin (also April 17th) Dundalk’s The Mary Wallopers on St Patrick’s Day? Perfect.
Sigrid March 18th, 3Arena, Dublin The Norwegian pop singer loves Ireland, and Ireland loves her right back. Simple as.
The Staves March 23rd, Dolan’s, Limerick; March 24th, Helix, Dublin; March 25th, Empire, Belfast; March 26th, Black Box, Galway; March 28th, Cyprus Avenue, Cork UK folk/pop sibling group finally return to Ireland for a brief if decent-sized tour.
Sam Fender March 24th, 3Arena, Dublin UK singer with muscular hints of Springsteen and old-school rock/pop.



CMAT will release If My Wife New I’d be Dead on February 25th


Counting Crows March 27th, 3Arena, Dublin Adam Duritz returns to the fray with his immensely popular band.
James Arthur March 28th, Ulster Hall, Belfast; March 29th, 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin One of X Factor’s more credible alumni. 
Gigs in April 2022
Bitch Falcon April 1st, Whelan’s, Dublin Farewell to this Irish band, whose final gig this is.
Gavin James April 2nd-29th, various venues Nationwide tour throughout April for one of Ireland’s most confessional songwriters. Commencing April 2nd/3rd, Opera House, Cork, and concluding April 29th, Lake Land Session, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
Royal Blood April 5th, 3Arena, Dublin Heavy-duty twosome here to make some noise.
War On Drugs April 14th, 3Arena, Dublin US musician Adam Granduciel performs songs from his 2021 album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore.
Protomartyr April 22nd, Button Factory, Dublin US post-punk band for fans of The Fall, Pere Ubu, and Wire.
Ed Sheeran April 24th, Croke Park, Dublin; April 28th/29th, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork One of the most popular music acts in the world, right here, right now.
Gigs in May 2022
Shawn Mendes May 1st, 3Arena, Dublin Canadian mega pop star brings his Wonder: the World Tour to Dublin.
Ed Sheeran May 5th/6th, Thomond Park, Limerick; May 12th/13th, Boucher Road Playing Fields, Belfast Here we go again.



Richard Hawley will play various venues around the country in May. Photograph: Chris Saunders


Tool May 6th, 3Arena, Dublin US metal band you need to experience. Enough said.
Richard Hawley May 8th, 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin; May 10th, Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick; May 11th, Opera House, Cork; May 13th, Black Box, Galway; May 14th, St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny UK crooner par excellence – always welcome in these parts.
Warpaint May 15th, National Stadium, Dublin Indie rock all the way from Los Angeles. How cool is this? Very.
Lindsey Buckingham May 17th, The Helix Dublin Ex-Fleetwood Mac songwriter/guitarist delivers solo and choice Mac tunes.
My Chemical Romance May 24th/25th, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin Gerard Way and friends return. Skeleton costume attire is optional.
Bryan Adams May 29th, SSE Arena, Belfast; May 30th, 3Arena, Dublin You’re gonna run to him, aren’t you?
Idles May 29th, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin Blistering UK band reschedule their January shows (x3) at Vicar Street to this open-air venue. Damn – they’re good, but we know which venue we’d have preferred to see them in. 
Gigs in June 2022
Simply Red June 1st, Live At The Marquee, Cork; June 2nd, Live At Botanic Gardens, Belfast Soul/funk/pop as presented by Mick Hucknall.
Billie Eilish June 3rd, SSE Arena, Belfast; June 4th/5th, 3Arena, Dublin Welcome home, Billie Eilish O’Connell.



Adam Duritz, the lead singer of Counting Crows, who will play at the 3Arena on March 27th. Photograph: Mark Seliger


Forbidden Fruit June 4th/5th, The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin From Bicep to Hot Chip, and Gemma Dunleavy to Lorde – happy 10th anniversary to this excellent city-centre festival.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds June 5th, Fairview Park, Dublin Meat? Check. Two veg? Check. Thick gravy? Check.
Public Image Ltd June 9th, National Stadium, Dublin John Lydon and co – still a unique presence after all these years.
Peggy Seeger and Calum MacColl June 9th, Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin The folk dynasty continues.
Jimmy Webb June 10th, Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin Pop classicist – for some, there is no better.
The Script June 14th/15th, 3Arena, Dublin Irish favourites here to heat up the summer.
Sea Sessions June 17th-19th, Bundoran, Co Donegal Acts featured across this much-loved festival include Kodaline, Basement Jaxx, Tinie, All Tvvins, David Keenan, and Malaki.
Greta Van Fleet June 23rd, Fairview Park, Dublin If straight-up rock music is your bag, then grab this one.
The Eagles June 24th, Aviva Stadium, Dublin US stalwarts taking it to the limit again as they celebrate their 50th birthday.
Years & Years June 24th, National Museum Of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin Fronted by Olly Alexander, Years & Years headline the Mother Pride Opening Party.



Gavin James will tour the country from April 2nd to 29th


St Vincent June 26th, Fairview Park, Dublin Smart, stylish, and a quality US songwriter/musician.
Foals June 27th, Fairview Park, Dublin Textured UK rock band hit tender and terrifying marks.
Red Hot Chili Peppers June 29th, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin Anyone for a vigorous bout of Rathfarnication?
Olivia Rodrigo June 29th, Live At The Marquee; June 30th, Fairview Park, Dublin US singer and songwriter du jour brings her debut album, Sour, to Ireland.
Gigs in July 2022
Westlife July 8th, Aviva Stadium, Dublin And they’re off!
Villagers July 14th, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin A home from home for one of Ireland’s most considered songwriters.
All Together Now July 29th-31st, Curraghmore Estate, Co Waterford Confirmed acts so far include Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Underworld, Sinéad O’Connor. Many more TBA.
Gigs in September 2022
Aslan September 17th, 3Arena, Dublin Resilient Dublin band celebrate 40 years on the go.
Gigs in October 2022
Swedish House Mafia October 6th, 3Arena, Dublin Electro/EDM outfit taking care of dance/house business.



Royal Blood will play the 3Arena on April 5th


Don McLean October 7th, 3Arena, Dublin US songwriter celebrates the 50th anniversary of his classic song, American Pie.
Gigs in November 2022
Pavement November 10th/11th, Vicar Street, Dublin US band – more than a cult, less than stadium fillers. Do we love them? Yes, we do.
Gigs in December 2022
The Cure December 1st, 3Arena, Dublin; December 2nd, SSE Arena, Belfast Class legacy band perform songs from their 40-odd year career.
Albums released on January 7th, 2022
Years and Years: Night Call 
Albums released on January 14th, 2022
Elvis Costello: The Boy Named IF Cat Power: Covers Lyndsey Lawlor: Dearest Philistine
Albums released on January 21st, 2022
Janis Ian: The Light at the End of the Line Silverbacks: Archive Material Yard Act: The Overload
Albums released on January 28th, 2022
Eels: Extreme Witchcraft Maverick Sabre: Don’t Forget to Look Up Andy White: This Garden is Only Temporary Michelle Daly: January Skies
Albums released on February 4th, 2022
Mitski: Laurel Hell Whozyerman: Blink Divine Comedy: Charmed Life: the Best of DC Cate Le Bon: Pompeii



US metal band Tool will play the 3Arena on May 6th. Photograph: Travis Shinn


Albums released on February 11th, 2022
Alt-J: The Dream Eddie Vedder: Earthling Laurie Shaw: The Great Southern TelefÍs: a hAon
Albums released on February 18th, 2022
Hurray for the Riff Raff: Life on Earth Beach House: Once Twice Melody
Albums released on February 25th, 2022
Johnny Marr: Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 Soft Cell: *Happiness Not Included Tears for Fears: The Tipping Point CMAT: If My Wife New I’d be Dead Spiritualised: Everything Was Beautiful
Albums released on March 4th, 2022
Stereophonics: Oochya! Dolly Parton: Run, Rose, Run
Albums released on March 11th, 2022
The Boo Radleys: Keep on with Falling Bryan Adams: So Happy it Hurts
Albums released on March 18th, 2022
Charli XCX: Crash Feeder: Torpedo Track Dogs: Where to Now?
Albums released on March 25th, 2022
Placebo: Never Let me Go Bon Iver: Bon Iver 10th Anniversary
Albums released on April 1st, 2022
Mic Christopher: Live At the Lobby (Live At the Lobby)
Albums released on April 8th, 2022
Jack White: Fear of the Dawn Let’s Eat Grandma: Two Ribbons Wet Leg: Wet Leg
Albums released on April 15th, 2022
HamsandwicH: title tbc
Albums released on April 22nd, 2022
The Waterboys: All Souls Hill
Albums released on April 29th, 2022
Naimee Coleman: The Edges Neil Dexter: I’ll be Ready
Albums released on May 6th, 2022
The Feeling: Loss. Hope. Love. Rosa Nutty: World Still Blue Dora Gola: Dance with Danger
Albums released on May 13th, 2022
Craig David: 22 Wallis Bird: title tbc
Albums released on May 27th, 2022
Liam Gallagher: C’mon You Know
Albums released in June, 2022
The Orwells: The World is a Circus Created for the Young/debut
Albums released onJune 17th, 2022
Robocobra Quartet: Living Isn’t Easy
Albums released on June 24th, 2022
Col Patterson: Dare you Come to Mind
Albums released on July 8th, 2022
Post Punk Podge: title tbc Somebody’s Child: title tbc
Albums released on July 22nd, 2022
Jack White: Entering Heaven Alive
Incoming albums August-December 2022:
Arctic Monkeys, Avenged Sevenfold, Corner Boy, Counter Intelligence, Ghost, Dora Gola, David Hope, Laura Elizabeth Hughes, Interpol, Keeley, Jesy Nelson, Loah, Machine Gun Kelly, Tolü Makay, Laura Mulcahy, Lorraine Nash, New Pagans, Ken O’Duffy, Molly O’Mahony, Ozzy Osbourne, Rammstein, Ailbhe Reddy, Clare Sands, Selk, Spiritualised, Ye Vagabonds, Zaska.