Rod Stewart

Pairc Ui Chaoimh, May 25

The man, the myth, Rod ‘The Mod’ heads to the home of Cork sporting excellence this May. The former Faces frontman has explored all genres of popular music including rock, folk, soul and R&B, and is one of the best-selling artists of all time, having shifted over 200 million records worldwide. Fans will be treated to all the classics, along with material from his upcoming 30th studio album Blood Red Roses, which includes a cracking cover of ‘Grace’.

Snow Patrol

Ward Park, Bangor, May 25

Set to be a massive hometown show for frontman Gary Lightbody, Snow Patrol have announced a huge line-up of the best of Northern Irish music for their Ward Park all-dayer. The all NI bill features Foy Vance, Ash, SOAK, Jealous Of The Birds, Brand New Friend, JC Stewart, The Wood Burning Savages, Kitt Philippa, ROE, and a yet-to-be-announced special guest. It could be an emotonal day.

Kodaline

St. Anne’s Park, Dublin, May 31 & June 1

With over 100 million streams on Spotify, Kodaline’s latest album Politics Of Living saw them collaborate with huge industry names Steve Mac, Johnny Coffer and Jonas Jeberg. They duly produced massive hits like ‘Brother’, ‘Head Held High’ and the song of the summer ‘Follow Your Fire’. They played a thrilling set at Malahide Castle last year to a sold-out crowd, and now the boys will take to St. Anne’s Park for two dates.  • Also playing St. Anne’s Park this June are the iconic disco pioneers Nile Rodgers and Chic on June 2.

Malahide Castle

Malahide, Dublin, June 7–22

The coastal village of Malahide has played host to some absolute legends over the years. Everyone from Prince and Paul McCartney to Radiohead and Pink have gathered in the shadow of the historic castle. This year sees another batch of world class artists performing, including Snow Patrol (June 7); The Cure (8); Mumford & Sons (14 & 15); Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (16); and George Ezra (21). However, our favourite is undoubtedly Lana Del Rey (22), who ends the gig series on what promises to ne one of the gigs of the year.

Metallica

Slane Castle, Meath, June 8

Rejoice heavy metal fans! After a 10-year wait and a spate of leaks and rumours about their possible return to Ireland, Metallica will headline this year’s Slane Festival in 2019. Their European tour runs from May to August and no doubt this will be one of the key dates, with metal heads all over the country flocking to see James Hetfield and co. They’ll be supported by Ghost and Bokassa.

P!nk

RDS, Dublin, June 18

The powerful, aerobatic pop-sensation brings her Beautiful Trauma world tour to Dublin this June for what’s sure to be one of the most thrilling gigs of the summer. A hugely successful live draw, Pink’s The Truth About Love trek was the third biggest-selling in the world in 2013. And she just keeps getting better! • Also playing the legendary Dublin venue this summer are ’70s icons Fleetwood Mac (June 13) – swoon!; New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi (15 & 16); and Leinster rugby star Jordan Larmour’s favourite SoundCloud rapper, the mighty Post Malone (August 22).

Picture This

Botanic Gardens, Belfast, June 21 & 22

Having launched their brand-new album MDRN LV from the 86th Floor Observatory level of New York’s Empire State Building, Hot Press cover stars Picture This broke records at home with an incredible sold-out five night run at the 3Arena. The biggest new act in Ireland and the nation’s hottest musical export in decades, Picture This arrived as a fully fledged phenomenon with their self-titled 2017 debut LP.

• Also playing the Botanic Gardens this June is hometown hero, Van Morrison, on June 23.

Hozier

Independent Park, Cork, June 25 / Belsonic, Belfast, June 27

Having stormed to the top of the charts in both Ireland and the US with his acclaimed new album Wasteland, Baby!, Hozier is already well into a massive sold out US tour. That trek will take him right up to June, when hecomes home for a date at Independent Park in Cork with rising star Sigrid in support. Both are recent Hot Press cover stars. After that, he makes a trip to Belsonic in Belfast, before heading to the UK for Glastonbury. Later in the summer, the Bray superstar will also headline this year’s Electric Picnic.

Ms. Lauryn Hill

Independent Park, June 26

Celebrating the 21st anniversary of her watershed post-Fugees album, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, the mercurial multi-Grammy winner returns to our shores for the second time in the space of a year. Her sold out 3Arena date in December was one of the highlights of 2018. • Also playing at Cork’s Independent Park this June are George Ezra (June 20); Walking On Cars (21); The Coronas (22); Liam Gallagher (23); and Hozier (25).

Bob Dylan and Neil Young

Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, July 14

Two of music’s most legendary performers are Ireland-bound for an incredible one-off double bill in the sunny south east. Icons of the original 1960s rock explosion, Dylan and Young have determinedly ploughed their own furrow in the years since, rarely letting fans achieve a steady grip on their unique talents, while still releasing albums packed with potent new songs. Although both men are regular visitors here, this unique double-bill will be their sole Irish date in 2019.

Foo Fighters

Belfast Vital, August 19 / RDS, Dublin August 21

Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee kicked off 2018 by playing an Australian/New Zealand stadium tour, followed by sell-out shows at some of the world’s biggest music venues, including Madison Square Garden, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and London Stadium. Now they’re playing two Irish dates, one at the RDS in Dublin and another headlining Vital Festival in Belfast – two of the year’s most hotly anticipated rock shows.