10 of 2025’s most unmissable big gigs, from Kneecap and Oasis to Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX

Snow Patrol

February 25, 3Arena, Dublin / February 27/28, SSE Arena, Belfast / June 19, Virgin Media Park, Cork / June 21, Ormeau Park, Belfast

HAVING returned to anthemic indie rock duty in 2024 with their chart-topping album The Forest is The Path after a few years away from the music scene, Snow Patrol are now making up for lost time with a vengeance.

Gary Lightbody and co will get 2025 off to a flying start with a trio of big indoor Irish shows at the end of February and will also be back on home turf in the summer for massive outdoor dates in Cork and Belfast next June.

Sugababes

April 19, SSE Arena, Belfast / April 20, 3Arena, Dublin

AFTER wowing the crowd at Glastonbury (and more importantly, millions watching via BBC Red Button at home) with a sassy, spirited performance of all their early 2000s hits augmented by top-notch live musicians, Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhán Donaghy are now embarking on their biggest ever UK and European tour - including a trio of Irish dates in April.

Sabrina Carpenter

May 3/4, 3Arena, Dublin

LITTLE Miss Espresso kicks off her Short N' Sweet tour here in Ireland next year with a pair of dates at Dublin’s 3Arena on May 3 and 4.

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No doubt many young fans asked Santa ‘please, please, please’ for tickets to see pop’s latest pint-sized princess.

However, with both dates already sold out, there will have been slim pickin’s for anyone who slept-in when tickets went on sale back in July.

Charli XCX

June 17, Malahide Castle / June 18, Ormeau Park, Belfast

IRISH Charli XCX devotees will be kicking off another ‘brat’ summer in style next year when the Essex-bred pop rebel and ~consults press release~ “multi-hyphenate creative” treats us to a pair of big outdoor shows at Malahide Castle and Ormeau Park, part of the ongoing tour for her chart-topping Brat album.

Kneecap

June 19, Fairview Park, Dublin

DUP-baiting rapscallions and potential Oscar-contenders Kneecap have confirmed their biggest ever show for next year.

By the time of next summer’s already sold-out date at Fairview Park in Dublin on June 19, the Irish language hip-hop trio could have two Academy Awards to their name - although they will be doing well to beat the Wicked juggernaut for Best Original Song.

Not bad going for a band who don’t have a single mainstream hit to their name - yet.

Iron Maiden

June 25, Malahide Castle

HEAVY metal icons Iron Maiden will be celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2025 - and what better way to mark such a major milestone than staging a big outdoor show at Malahide Castle?

The upcoming Run For Your Lives World Tour finds the Irons breaking in new drummer Simon Dawson following the recent retirement of veteran sticksman Nicko McBrain, so here’s your chance to witness the birth of a new era for these metal veterans.

Billie Eilish

July 26/27, 3Arena, Dublin

WHISPERING pop megastar Billie Eilish returns to Ireland next year for a two night stand at Dublin’s 3Arena in July.

Ten years on from her debut single, the US singer is now a bona-fide arena-filling prospect, as the superfast ticket sales for her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour prove.

For any fans who’ve missed out, Billie’s brother, producer and songwriting partner Finneas will also be playing an Irish solo date next year at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on April 15.

Oasis

August 16/17, Croke Park, Dublin

WILL the brothers Gallagher even still be speaking by the time of their Irish dates at Croke Park next August? Definitely? Maybe?

Whatever the case, Oasis fans will just have to roll with it - and there’s no word yet on that mooted support slot for The Wolfe Tones either...

Will the brothers Gallagher even still be speaking by the time of their Irish dates at Croke Park next August 16 and 17? Definitely? Maybe?

My Bloody Valentine

November 22, 3Arena, Dublin

PROFESSIONAL procrastinator/hibernator Kevin Shields stunned fans with the sudden announcement of a huge hometown show for his notoriously workshy indie rockers My Bloody Valentine last month.

The sold-out show at Dublin’s 3Arena on November 22 will be the Valentines' first live outing for seven years: here’s hoping they annoy everyone (except me) by largely ignoring their overly-feted Loveless album in favour of celebrating the 37th anniversary of 1988’s infinitely superior offering, Isn’t Anything.

Hans Zimmer

November 26/27, 3Arena, Dublin

OSCAR-winning film composer Hans Zimmer will be bringing his drone-y, discordant and instantly recognisable sounds to the 3Arena in Dublin next November for two live concerts.

Expect to hear highlights of all your favourite Zimmer scores from his many projects with Christopher Nolan, plus iconic themes from the likes of Gladiator, Dune and Dune Part Two, Rain Man and Going For Gold (OK, maybe not that last one).