Call us optimistic, but we're looking forward to a glorious return to live music in 2021. You can thank Dolly Parton for that.
We may be jumping the gun by suggesting that things will be hunky-dory by spring/summer, but what harm is there in hoping? We all need something to look forward to, after all.
Given the year that's in it, you may have forgotten about these gigs or been unaware that they were rescheduled – so here are 10 gigs that we're looking forward to catching next year.
DOVES | Olympia Theatre - April 6th
God, remember the Olympia? The vertigo-inducing Upper Circle? The knee-squashing seats? The sweaty pit? The envy-inducing boxes? The never-ending queue for the bar(s)? We miss it all, dammit. And Doves would be a magnificent return to one of our favourite venues in the country, given their own triumphant comeback with the excellent 'The Universal Want' this year.
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CELINE DION | 3Arena - April 11th & 12th
We don't need to sell this one to you – either you get the glitzy, schmaltzy, slightly unhinged-yet-undeniably magnetic power of a Celine Dion concert, or you don't. All going well, we'll be there with bells on come April, waving miniature Canadian flags as a welcome.
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NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS | 3Arena - April 23rd and 24th
A Bad Seeds gig is something to behold; there's something primal about Cave's stage presence as he stalks the boards like a preacher with a score to settle. These rescheduled gigs in support of their last album 'Ghosteen' ought to be very special, even despite the cavernous venue.
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THE NATIONAL | Live at the Marquee, Cork - June 7th
If ever there was a band to see live before you die, it's The National. Even if you're undecided about Matt Berninger and co.'s recorded output, they are a phenomenal live band that never disappoint live. And if you're already a die-hard National fan, well... see you there.
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THE KILLERS | Malahide Castle - June 15th & 16th
One of the biggest rock bands in the world today? You'd better believe it. The Killers pushed out their planned Dublin gigs almost exactly a year to the day they were due to take place in 2020. Malahide Castle is a beautiful spot for an outdoor gig. All we need is a balmy summer's evening and we're laughing.
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DAVID GRAY | Irish Independent Park, Cork - June 19th
Covid-19 robbed us of many gigs, but one we were particularly looking forward to was David Gray's White Ladder 20th anniversary tour – purely for nostalgic purposes, you understand. Thankfully, you'll have a second chance to celebrate the biggest-selling album in Irish chart history with this Cork gig (he's also playing other cities in Ireland, check listings for details.)
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GUNS 'N' ROSES | Marlay Park - June 22nd
Look, you don't need any persuading to go and catch a truly iconic rock band in the flesh, do you? Well, you'll have had almost a full year to think about it in the interim. Providing Axl actually shows up on time, this could well be a tremendous night's entertainment.
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PET SHOP BOYS | Live at the Marquee, Cork – June 23rd
One of the most iconic pop bands of all time, when it comes to live performances, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe are renowened for their visuals, costumes, dancers and generally just throwing a massive pop hooley. And then there's the countless hits in the mix - what's not to love?
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FONTAINES DC | Iveagh Gardens - July 4th
Architects of possibly the best Irish album of 2020 with 'A Hero's Death', Fontaines DC's planned homecoming show at Dublin's Iveagh Gardens – a venue that we truly love for gigs – would have been very memorable this summer. Instead, we'll have an extra 12 months of absorbing that remarkable album and very much look forward to Take II next July.
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DUA LIPA | 3Arena - September 18th and 19th
Oh, how we long to see a big, glitzy pop show by a bona fide star. With 'Future Nostalgia' tucked under her arm, Dua Lipa saw off all challengers to her pop throne in 2020. Considering how good she already is, who knows what treats she might have in store for us by September 2021? Either way, we'll be there to find out.
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