{"id":260412,"date":"2025-12-31T20:09:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T20:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/260412\/"},"modified":"2025-12-31T20:09:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T20:09:24","slug":"oasis-zach-bryan-dua-lipa-these-were-the-16-best-gigs-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/260412\/","title":{"rendered":"Oasis, Zach Bryan, Dua Lipa… These were the 16 best gigs of 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pint-sized powerhouse Sabrina Carpenter brought two sold-out nights of her Short n Sweet tour to the 3Arena in Dublin in March. Described as \u201chedonistic and horny\u201d by our reviewer, Carpenter mixed suggestive songs with a side-splitting sense of humour to delight Irish fans throughout a night of fun.<\/p>\n

\"SabrinaSabrina Carpenter performing in the 3Arena.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite how obviously she is performing, it doesn’t feel performative. It feels like a woman who is just owning the hedonistic side of being young and horny,\u201d Nicole Glennon wrote. From earworm hits like Espresso and Please, Please, Please to lurid and explicit tracks like Juno, Carpenter proved she was in control of both the stage and her own sexuality.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Review here\u00a0<\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n Denise O\u2019Donoghue\n <\/p>\n

\u00a0Flaming Lips, Olympia, Dublin, April\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Flaming Lips have long had a reputation as an impressive live act, and they lived up their billing in April with a show that had Irish Examiner reviewer Pat Carty already claiming he had witnessed one of the gigs of the year. It\u2019s a claim that\u2019s still intact in December.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tunes from Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (2002) can still rock a crowd, and the theatrical element was turned up to 11 with monster-shaped confetti, inflatable robots, and roadies dressed as giant eyeballs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cA joyous, life-affirming, euphoric, and truly psychedelic experience,\u201d wrote Carty.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Review: here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Des O\u2019Driscoll\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

Kamasi Washington, Cork Opera House, April\u00a0<\/p>\n

Better late than never. The Californian jazz saxophonist\u2019s planned appearance at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival the previous October had been scuppered by a back injury, but his two-hour performance in spring was definitely worth waiting for.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"KamasiKamasi Washington on the Cork Opera House stage in April. Picture: David Creedon<\/p>\n

As well as the bandleader himself, he\u2019d brought a superb six-piece ensemble that included ace turntablist Battlecat. As well as his own material, Washington has contributed to albums from the likes of Kendrick Lamar, and one of the highlights of night in Cork was a thrilling take on Nas classic NY State Of Mind (a tune itself created by DJ Premier from old jazz samples).<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n \u00a0Des O\u2019Driscoll\n <\/p>\n

Zach Bryan, Phoenix Park, June<\/p>\n

Who is Zach Bryan? Reviewer Tom Dunne quickly found out \u2014 and found himself converted \u2014 when the American country music superstar played a gig at Phoenix Park in Dublin in June.<\/p>\n

\"ZachZach Bryan at the Phoenix Park. Photo: Gareth Chaney<\/p>\n

Bryan has since announced two shows at P\u00e1irc U\u00ed Chaoimh in Cork followed by two nights at Boucher Road in Belfast next summer, and it sounds like fans are in for a treat.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething in the Orange, I Remember Everything, Pink Skies and Heading South sound like songs you\u2019ve always known, beautiful, timeless, evocative. The audience know every word,\u201d Dunne wrote. \u201cHe seems to have gone to the level Bruce [Springsteen] is at here without the intervening 40 years.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Denise O\u2019Donoghue\n <\/p>\n

Madness, Musgrave Park, Cork, June\u00a0<\/p>\n

Madness were a standout act that jaw-droppingly rich era for popular music in the early 1980s. Suggs and co arrived back then as part of a ska-revival that also featured The Specials and The Beat, and a sunny evening on Cork\u2019s southside saw them prove that those skanktastic tunes still work so well today.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Cogan family from Turner’s Cross get in the mood for Madness. Picture; Larry Cummins<\/p>\n

The Londoners kicked off with their debut single One Step Beyond, and finished with the Prince Buster cover that gave the band their name. In between, it was non-stop fun that would surely have converted the hefty contingent of youngsters dragged along by their mam or dad.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a><\/p>\n

Des O\u2019Driscoll\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

Dua Lipa, Aviva Stadium, June\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0We are firmly in the era of strong women dominating pop as female alpha Dua Lipa further proved in Dublin last June.<\/p>\n

The last European stop on the Radical Optimism tour saw the English and Albanian singer thrill a predominantly young audience with her own flavour of girl pop, belting out hit after hit to devoted fans.<\/p>\n

\"DuaDua Lipa at the Aviva<\/p>\n

Opening with Training Season, bringing it back to the Barbie movie with Dance The Night before wrapping up on Houdini, the global superstar also took a moment to pay tribute to iconic Irish singer Sin\u00e9ad O\u2019Connor with touching rendition of the late star\u2019s anthem Nothing Compares 2 U.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Denise O\u2019Donoghue\n <\/p>\n

The Wolfe Tones, Thomond Park, July\u00a0<\/p>\n

Last-ever gig? Well, almost. The Wolfe Tones knocked it out of Thomond Park in July with what was to be their final show after six decades performing together. A night of emotion and pride, it saw 29,000 fans make the pilgrimage to see the rebel music band one last time.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Wolfe Tones in Thomond Park last July. Picture: Kieran Ryan-Benson<\/p>\n

On stage, Noel Nagle, Brian Warfield and Tommy Byrne were visibly emotional, and they delighted the crowd with some of their best-loved songs, including Come Out Ye Black And Tans and You\u2019ll Never Beat The Irish. Now with two more nights lined up in Dublin due to fan demand, the 3Arena can likely expect another night of tears and joy. We’ll see if retirement beckons after that.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Denise O\u2019Donoghue\n <\/p>\n

Oasis, Croke Park, August<\/p>\n

Fans never thought they\u2019d see it happen, but in August, Liam and Noel Gallagher shared the stage together as Oasis spent two nights in Dublin.<\/p>\n

Selling out Croke Park with tickets that were both like gold dust and highly-priced, our reviewer Joe Dermody wrote that it was worth the high price tag for fans.<\/p>\n

\"OasisOasis on stage at Croke Park. Picture: Chani Anderson<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was an epic night, one that rose above the extortionate costs,\u201d he said. \u201cMaybe it’s the fact that they’ve been off our radar for so long, but it does feel like we’ve not seen anything at once as visceral and as poetic as Oasis for the past 16 years.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Denise O\u2019Donoghue\n <\/p>\n

Robbie Williams, Croke Park, August<\/p>\n

Hot on the heels of Oasis, the \u2018nicest narcissist\u2019 Robbie Williams brought a night of pure entertainment to Croke Park in late August. Balancing energetic pop with deep personal connection, the star somehow made a 90,000 capacity venue feel like an intimate gig.<\/p>\n

The \u2018bad boy\u2019 of boy bands was in Dublin with his Britpop tour and despite his swagger and bravado on stage it was an evening of genuine charm and joy. The crowd was deafening when he introduced some special guests and TikTok star and singer Garron Noone joined Williams for a rendition of Country Roads, with the Fiddling Farrells accompanying them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Denise O\u2019Donoghue\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

Kneecap, Electric Picnic, August\u00a0<\/p>\n

From people of all ages wearing tricolour balaclavas to the mass chants and singalongs, Mo Chara and co combined fun with meaningful messages in one of the best sets of the weekend at Electric Picnic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\" Families dressed for Kneecap’s main stage performance at Electric Picnic in August. Picture: Larry Cummins<\/p>\n

DJ Provai, Mo Chara, and M\u00f3gla\u00ed Bap ran rapidly through their catalogue over sixty sensational minutes. It was a full-circle moment for the rap group, who first played Electric Picnic in front of \u201cabout 16 people in the Pobaill na Gailge tent in the mid-2010s.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Denise O\u2019Donoghue\n <\/p>\n

Joe Bonamassa, Marquee, Cork, July\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 30th anniversary of Rory Gallagher\u2019s death was always going to be an occasion worth marking, but how would you do it?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Step forward the combined forces of the Gallagher family, promoter Peter Aiken, and Cork City Council for a series of events that served as a reminder of the guitarist\u2019s genius, and an outlet for the thousands of people who have such warm memories of him.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"JoeJoe Bonamassa performing Rory Gallagher songs onstage at Live at The Marquee. Picture: Darragh Kane<\/p>\n

Various exhibitions showed Gallagher-related material, and Joe Bonamassa provided a highpoint with three sold-out tribute gigs at Live At The Marquee. The American guitarist had stressed he wasn\u2019t trying to imitate the Cork musician, but his more reserved style still hit the spot on a set mostly comprised of tunes from the epic live album, Irish Tour \u201974.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Des O\u2019Driscoll\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

Nubya Garcia, Everyman, Cork, October\u00a0<\/p>\n

A decent line-up at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival was probably lacking a few stars from the genre that gives the 47-year-old event its name.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"NubyaNubya Garcia perform at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival at The Everyman. Picture: Darragh Kane<\/p>\n

But none of that mattered on the final night at the Everyman when the London saxophonist mesmerised an audience with a performance that encapsulated all that is good about jazz.<\/p>\n

Brilliant musicianship? Yes. A perfect mix of structure and free-flowing innovation that you know is unique to each concert? Defo. And greatly appreciated by an audience who wouldn\u2019t all consider themselves jazz fans? You betcha.<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Des O\u2019Driscoll\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

Neil Young and Van Morrison, Malahide Castle, June\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0Both veterans turned 80 in 2025, but they managed to turn back the years in what was arguably the best double bill in Ireland. First up, Van the Man, chirpy and chuckling (yes, really) as he rolled out a set that included Into the Mystic, Bright Side of the Road, and Gloria.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"NeilNeil Young at Malahide Castle in June. Photo Gareth Chaney<\/p>\n

Next, the Canadian superstar with his Chrome Hearts, a backing band that includes Willy Nelson\u2019s son Micah. Even the pouring rain failed to dampen spirits as fans sang along with such classics as The Needle and The Damage Done and Like a Hurricane.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Des O\u2019Driscoll\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

Duran Duran and Chic, Musgrave Park, July<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a brave band that takes to the stage after the gorgeous grooves of Chic, but Simon Le Bon and co never looked like an act who doubted in their own abilities. How right they were.<\/p>\n

An incredible back catalogue provided no shortage of crowd-pleasers, and hits such as Rio, Save A Prayer and Wild Boys, were interspersed with tasty covers such as Psycho Killer by Talking Heads, and a stomping version of ELO\u2019s Evil Woman.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\" 1st July 2025….. Simon Le Bon, John Taylor and Dominic Brown of Duran Duran in concert at Virgin Media Park (Musgrave Park). Picture: Eddie O’Hare<\/p>\n

It was almost enough to make you forgive the attempt at The Fields Of Athenry. The reactions of the female members of the crowd who used to have Duran Duran posters on their bedroom walls also suggested that Le Bon and co still have appeal that goes beyond the music. They put the HRT in heartthrob.<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n Des O\u2019Driscoll\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

CMAT, All Together Now, August\u00a0<\/p>\n

We\u2019re still trying to work out if CMAT was just fortunate to ride the zeitgeist or whether she actually created the zeitgeist. Either way, 2025 saw Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson take several more steps on her seemingly unstoppable rise to the top.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"CMATCMAT onstage at the All Together Now Festival in August. Photo: Kieran Frost\/Redferns<\/p>\n

Her songs got more radio play than ever, and she even had a hand in derailing Bertie Ahern\u2019s presidential ambitions, but it was in the live arena that she shone brightest. \u201cNobody exits a CMAT show thinking she hasn’t left it all on the stage,\u201d purred Irish Examiner reviewer Eoghan O\u2019Sullivan of a standout performance at the excellent festival in Co Waterford.<\/p>\n

Review: here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Des O\u2019Driscoll\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

Bob Dylan, Gleneagle Arena (INEC), Killarney, November\u00a0<\/p>\n

Robert Zimmerman was another stalwart doing his bit for the concept of positive ageing. By now, fans realise the 84-year-old won\u2019t be playing the guitar or belting out faithful renditions of his classic hits.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Or even saying anything to them as they sit there phoneless (all devices locked inside Yondr pouches). Instead, they just get to enjoy the magic he\u2019s still able to regularly create on his own terms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Over two nights in Kerry, Dylan played piano and left plenty of the heavy lifting to his brilliant band, as he delivered a set mostly comprised of songs from his 2020 album Rough and Rowdy Ways.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He departed with The Lakes of Ponchartrain \u2014 an old American folk song first popularised in this country by Planxty and Paul Brady. \u201cTruly magnificent,\u201d declared awe-struck Irish Examiner reviewer Joe Dermody.<\/p>\n

Review here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Des O\u2019Driscoll\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Pint-sized powerhouse Sabrina Carpenter brought two sold-out nights of her Short n Sweet tour to the 3Arena in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":260413,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[18,117,19,2902,17,337],"class_list":{"0":"post-260412","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"tag-eire","9":"tag-entertainment","10":"tag-ie","11":"tag-insight","12":"tag-ireland","13":"tag-music"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/115815996950729849","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260412","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=260412"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260412\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/260413"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=260412"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=260412"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=260412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}