Wanna know exactly why Easter is better than Christmas? Apart from the obvious (i.e. copious amounts of chocolate), the entertainment circuit doesn't shut down in quite the same way – which means there's plenty on over the course of the long weekend to get you out of the house.
Below, we've picked some of the best gigs taking place nationwide over Easter Weekend.
SAM SMITH – 3Arena
The London pop singer plays his biggest Irish headline shows to date on Friday and Saturday, off the back of his second album 'The Thrill of It All'.
*
TOUTS – The Duke of York, Belfast
One of the best young punk/rock bands in the country right now, the Derry trio are well worth a gander if you're around Belfast on Saturday.
*
BIG THIEF – Whelan's
There's been a huge buzz about these New York indie-rockers over the last year or so – see for yourself what the fuss is about on Saturday and Sunday.
*
ALL TVVINS – Cyprus Avenue, Cork and INEC, Killarney
The Dublin band bring their sharp, zingy indie-electro-pop to Cork on Friday and Killarney on Saturday night, with a new song or two – including recent single 'Crash' – in tow for good measure.
*
HUDSON TAYLOR – The Big Top, Limerick, Saturday
The indie-folk brothers and their band will charm the pants off their Limerick audience on Saturday night, with their uber-catchy singalong tunes.
*
JOHN GIBBONS – Olympia Theatre
Ireland's first superstar DJ in-waiting? He's already had mammoth hits with the likes of his remixes of 'P.Y.T' and 'Would I Lie To You' – expect to hear them and many more on Monday night.
*
EN VOGUE – Vicar Street
The American soul/pop/r'n'b trio need no introduction and always go down a treat with Irish audiences – you'll hear the likes of 'My Lovin' (Never Gonna Get It') and 'Don't Let Go' on Monday.