The best gigs abroad in 2026-2027: Who to see and where to see them
In an era when tickets sell out quicker than you can say “how much?” a recent report by marketing agency Dentsu found that more than one in 10 Irish adults was partial to “gig-jetting”: travelling abroad specifically to catch a concert. That figure rises to three in 10 under-35s. It’s a canny move: tickets are often cheaper, it’s an excuse to soak in new and loved destinations, it makes a special concert unforgettable – and it gives serious bragging rights. Here’s where to catch some hotly anticipated gigs over the next six months, if you fancy a trip out of Ireland. Berlin, Germany Few cities radiate a sense of cool like Berlin . It’s a superb city to people-watch, shop, soak up history, go clubbing, try karaoke and watch brilliant bands. Stay at the Michelberger, the hotel beloved by The National (Bryce and Aaron Dessner of the band played a residency there in 2016), or try The Circus overlooking Rosenthaler Platz, which is centrally located and has delightfully retro touches and smart design. Bedrooms have old-fashioned rotary-dial telephones but no enclosed wardrobes, just a set of hangers (in fairness, how often do you need those big old things?). Kreuzberg is always a good option for a casually cool evening out (try Buya Ramen Factory for noodles or Tacos El Rey for tasty burritos). For hard-core clubbers, meanwhile, Berghain remains one of the city’s most famous spots – just make sure you have a back-up plan if you don’t get in; it has a famously opaque door policy. Over the coming months, indie rock fans will be well served with music in Berlin – Fontaines DC, Interpol and Bloc Party all play here, while next year sees rising electropop star Adéla – of Ain’t in LA fame – pirouette on to Berlin’s stage. There’s something for everyone in this city. Upcoming gigs Fontaines DC – Max Schmeling Halle, November 2nd Bloc Party/Interpol – Uber Arena, November 11th Beabadoobee – Tempodrom, December 6th Phoebe Bridgers – Velodrom, December 9th Adéla – Huxleys Neue Welt, February 2nd Role Model – Tempodrom, February 11th Amble – Metropol, Feb 18th Bonobo – Uber Eats Music Hall, March 11th Harry Styles – Flughafen Tempelhof, July 2nd and July 3rd Fly to Berlin with Aer Lingus or Ryanair New York, United States The US’s cultural capital is peppered with world-famous venues that anchor a tour schedule, whether small and storied like The Bitter End, or extravagant like Madison Square Garden – which means almost every big tour in 2027 will pass through. As an ever-evolving metropolis, repeat visitors to New York can pad a concert trip with their favourite activities (an amble along Brooklyn Heights Promenade is always nice) and peruse the city’s newer draws. The Museum of Broadway invites guests to delve into the history and backstage magic of Broadway productions, or indulge in the cutting-edge of cuisine by seeking out New York fusion food. In Tribeca, the underinvestigated hybrid of Portuguese-Chinese cuisine is on the menu at Macao Trading Company (try the artfully piquant lobster noodles, a signature dish). Or Elephant Ear whips up contemporary Thai cuisine, and the presentation is as bold as the taste. Artists already booked to play in 2027 include Bright Eyes, Death Cab for Cutie, Gracie Abrams, Niall Horan, AR Rahman, Gloria Estefan and Ghostface Killah, Ashanti, Dinosaur Jr and Ibeyi. Chief among them is artist of the moment Olivia Rodrigo. She’ll set up a residency at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn throughout February in support of You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love . Set to bother many an end-of-year list, the album has harnessed her alternative sensibilities (she has covered Fontaines DC and CMAT, lest we forget) to breathe new life into the angsty teen pop genre. With all eyes on Rodrigo, this show, part of The Unraveled Tour, should be one to remember. Upcoming gigs Patti Smith – St Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery, November 1st Doja Cat – Madison Square Garden, December 1st Bright Eyes – Brooklyn Paramount, January 11th, 12th and 14th Olivia Rodrigo – Barclays Center, February 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 19th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 27th and 28th Gracie Abrams – Barclays Center, March 16th, 17th, 19th, 20th Niall Horan – Barclays Center, April 4th Fly to New York with daily flights from Aer Lingus, Delta and United Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Dutch capital’s canals make for a pretty backdrop while en route to its many world-class museums or galleries in the daytime (don’t leave Amsterdam without a visit to the Van Gogh Museum). Yet when evening descends, the shimmering reflections of the network help bring the city to life. Head to De Pijp to veer away from the tourist throngs and revel in a neighbourhood feel – nab a seat at the social beer emporium Café Gollum or cosy natural wine bar GlouGlou. As a city built for a night out, gigs are abundant: Editors, Ezra Collective, James Blunt, Rush, Amble, Bonobo, Trentemøller, Teddy Swims, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Weezer, Jorja Smith and Passenger are on the cards in 2027. It’s also the right place to catch 365 party girl Charli XCX as she tours her latest album Music, Fashion, Film. The tour matures her stage show since she went full Brat: out is the visceral DIY effect of stripped-back production and Charli as the sole focal point; in is a monochrome set design and gang of backing dancers that bring the steamy-warehouse-club vibe to life. Carry on that vibe at Shelter, A’DAM Tower’s underground club with revered DJs, a state-of-the-art sound system – plus a rare (and dangerous) 24-hour licence. Feeling delicate the next day? Fuel a recovery with a brunch at Bakers & Roasters. At their Kadijksplein and DePijp locations, signature dishes like the Navajo Eggs (served with pulled pork, avocado, mango salsa) are reliably comforting. Boozy milkshakes optional. Upcoming gigs Kneecap – AFAS Live, November 18th The Script – Ziggo Dome, November 26th and 27th Muse – Ziggo Dome, November 29th and 30th Ezra Collective – AFAS Live, February 20th Charli XCX – Ziggo Dome, February 22nd Bonobo – Gashouder, March 5th Weezer – AFAS Live, May 26th Fly to Amsterdam with daily flights from Aer Lingus, Ryanair and KLM Helsinki, Finland As a shining example of a sustainable city, in the happiest country in the world, a visit to Helsinki is an enriching trip in its own right. Hop on the easy-to-navigate metro and explore the linden tree-lined streets of Art Nouveau architecture, Nordic-chic boutiques and independent coffee shops with perfect rows of pillowy cardamom buns in their windows, all while uncovering Helsinki’s history – keep an eye out for Moomin paraphernalia as Helsinki was home of its creator, Tove Jansson. Its concert venues are equally accessible. Find Tavastia (a legendary haunt that hosted The Pogues, Nick Cave, and Tom Waits) by Kamppi metro station at the city’s heart. Next year it hosts intimate shows from Saul Williams and Young Gun Silver Fox. The 15,000-capacity Veikkaus Arena is a direct four-minute train ride from the centre, and rising pop star Sombr performs there in May. The show is part of a mammoth world tour in support of his debut album I Barely Know Her, which continues to Dublin and Belfast the following month. Those who caught the 21-year-old’s set at Electric Picnic know there’s nary a dull moment on his stage, so – as with the city itself – expect a solid dose of the unexpected. Upcoming gigs Pitbull – Veikkaus Arena, December 7th and 8th Saul Williams – Tavastia, March 29th Ministry – Kulttuuritalo, May 1st Sombr – Veikkaus Arena, May 11th Westlife – Veikkaus Arena, June 14th Fly to Helsinki with daily flights from Finnair Lisbon, Portugal Who needs an excuse to visit Portugal, a country so full to the brim of culture, coast and cuisine it draws 900,000 visits from Ireland a year – that equates to one in six of us. Any visit to the capital should allow time for ever-popular draws (the Time Out Market is a low-hassle way to eat your way around Lisbon’s specialities), while taking in ephemeral attractions – namely the seasonal menu at A Cevicheria and an exhibition at the always-fascinating MUDE (Museu do Design). It’s also home to a strong music scene, which helps NOS Alive attract one of the best line-ups in the festival calendar. Already slated for July 2027 are The Neighbourhood and Tame Impala, who is approaching headline status after Kevin Parker’s electro-psych fifth album, Deadbeat , shifted him further into mainstream territory. The festival takes place on the city’s west coast, with transport links to whisk music-lovers back to the centre within 20 minutes – and trains run until 4.30am to tie in with its finish time (take note, Primavera Sound Barcelona). Upcoming gigs Gurriers – Casa Capitao, November 6th Bryan Adams – MEO Arena, November 20th MONO – LAV, February 10th Jake Bugg – LAV, April 4th Thirty Seconds to Mars – MEO Arena, April 6th Simple Minds – Sagres Campo Pequeno, April 6 NOS Alive – Passeo Martítimo de Algés, July 8-10th Fly to Lisbon with daily flights from Aer Lingus, Ryanair and TAP Barcelona, Spain Barcelona is a fun spot to visit, and even more so if there’s a gig in the offing. Go to Primavera, the city’s fantastic indie and electronica-led festival, and revel in the sunshine, the incredible line-ups and the novelty value of not having to worry about how you’re going to get back to your accommodation: the transport links – from shuttle to metro to taxi – make an easy job of it. Even if you’re just in the city for a weekend gig, it’s a lovely place to spend time, whether you’re wandering through the Gothic Quarter, people-watching on Las Ramblas, or oohing and aahing at the Sagrada Família, the world’s tallest church, designed by Gaudi in the late 1800s. Speaking of venerable institutions, Oasis will play in the city in July as part of their hotly anticipated 2027 tour – tickets are sold out, but you could strike it lucky closer to the time and persuade someone to part with theirs. Whether you’re cheering in a bucket hat by a stage or just shopping for Adidas trainers on Portal de l’Angel, keep a watchful eye on your possessions – Barcelona is well-known for its pickpockets – and enjoy the city’s reasonably priced street fare, from cheap and tasty pizza to paellas and pastas. Buzzy, lively and diverting, Barcelona is a city that feels alive. Upcoming gigs The Strokes – Palau Sant Jordi, Oct 20th Jungle – Palau Sant Jordi, Oct 28th, Sienna Spiro – Sala Parallel 62, March 29th, March 30th, Megadeth – Olimpic Arena , April 10th Primavera – June 3rd – 5th (line-up will be announced in early 2027) Sónar Barcelona – June 17th to June 19th Oasis – Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, July 10th and July 11th Fly to Barcelona with Ryanair and Aer Lingus Reykjavik, Iceland Many artists over the years have made Reykjavik in Iceland their home, from John Grant to Damon Albarn: the Gorillaz and Blur frontman became an official Icelandic citizen in 2021. It’s no surprise artists love the place: there’s a sense of the otherworldly as you land at Keflavík airport and take in the spare volcanic landscape at the edge of the Arctic Circle. Music pilgrims often head to Reykjavik in early November for the much loved Airwaves Festival, which takes place across the city over three days. It’s an ideal time of year to view the Northern Lights and perhaps take a bus tour to well-known sites such as the 8km-long Solheimajokull glacier. Stay a little longer and you can attend Iceland Noir, a four-day literary festival held from November 11th in various venues across the city centre: this year George RR Martin (author of Game of Thrones) is one of the big names attending. Fewer international music acts might make it to Reykjavik for their tours, but this gives indigenous artists a chance to shine – Björk, GusGus, Of Monsters and Men, Sigur Rós and Úlfur Úlfur are some of the country’s leading lights. Once you get into the city and check out the local record shops, you’ll leave with a lighter wallet, but some newfound musical treasures. Everything is expensive in Reykjavik (sometimes shockingly so): so you’ll need to factor that in, but if you love nature and music, it’s a remarkable place to visit. Just make sure you’ve got your thermals packed. Upcoming gigs Jamie Duffy – as part of Airwaves Festival, November 6th, location not yet announced GusGus – Austurbæjarbíó, November 6th The Streets – as part of Airwaves Festival, Eldborg, Harpa, November 8th, Dark Music Days festival featuring experimental classical music – multiple city centre venues, January 28th–31st Fly to Reykjavik with Icelandair