FESTIVALS A GO-GO AS OLD HANDS AND RISING STARS PARTY ON INTO NEXT YEAR

New festivals and weekenders are another sign that promoters are willing to invest in the entertainment industry’s version of the futures market. The RDS Summer In The City event runs from June 23-24 and I fully expect Picture This to sell out the first night. A decent support roster in the form of Clean Bandit, JP Copper and Little Hours will help. Like Picture This, The Chainsmokers may also have only one album and a couple of EPs to their name but they’ve sold millions of copies of them. The US duo play the arena on June 24, with Rita Ora as support. We can also look forward to a series of events in the Donnybrook Stadium just up the road from the RDS. Ohio rockers The National play there on June 15 and 16. Lisa Hannigan and Villagers provide support on the respective nights. Future Islands play the same venue on June 17. Bruno Mars has been confirmed for Marlay Park on July 12, while Kodaline play Malahide Castle on June 8.

There is also tasty fare planned for The Iveagh Gardens, with many of the acts playing Live At The Marquee in Cork the day before or after. Highlights include Alanis Morissette (July 5), The The (July 7) and rising stars The Academic on July 20. A-ha have already sold out a Live At The Marquee show on June 12. Bell X1 are there on June 15, while Picture This have planned a two-night stand on June 19 and June 20.

The Indiependence Music & Arts Festival (August 3-5) is a compact event on the grounds of Deer Farm, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. Headliners include Jake Bugg, Everything Everything and Cast. Walking On Cars, Le Galaxie, King Kong Company, HamsandwicH and The Blizzards head up the home contingent.

Walking On Cars headline the Sea Sessions in Bundoran (June 2224), with Dizzee Rascal also booked for the Donegal festival. See seasessions.com