This August, the iconic TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick will swap hurling for headliners, as it plays host to two monumental days of music that promise to make it the city’s biggest weekend of the year. From nostalgic 90s pop to legendary reggae and raw Irish soul, the stadium is gearing up to rock to a whole new rhythm.
Saturday, 23rd August – The Big Day Out
Dubbed the “biggest pop party of the year”, Saturday 23rd August sees The Big Day Out roll into town, bringing a glittering line-up of chart-toppers from the 90s and 00s. Headlining the main stage is none other than BLUE, the UK’s best-loved boy band of the 00s, joined by an eclectic mix of pop royalty.
Fans can expect infectious dancefloor anthems from Basshunter, nostalgic heartthrobs from Peter Andre, and powerhouse vocals from Heather Small of M People fame. Also hitting the stage are Whigfield, guaranteed to get the crowd jumping with Saturday Night, and euro-dance legends Sash!, ready to bring a storm with Encore Une Fois.
Meanwhile, the Dance Stage will be a haven for club classics and electronic euphoria. DJ icon Tall Paul leads a stellar line-up including the inimitable N-Trance, with their anthemic Set You Free, as well as a special Trance Euphoria set from Al Gibbs. Local legends from Limerick’s golden age of clubbing—DJs from Trinity Rooms, Docs, Soul Clinic, and Strictly Rhythm—will be spinning throwback sets into the evening.
With a backdrop of massive stage production, multiple bars, gourmet food trucks, cocktail lounges, karaoke, and surprise sets from Will Leahy, Fergal Darcy, Naughty Noughties, and Cut Loose, the day kicks off from 3pm and promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
Sunday, 24th August – UB40 with Ali Campbell & Friends
Sunday brings a change of pace but no drop in quality, with an exclusive Irish performance by UB40 featuring Ali Campbell. One of Britain’s most successful bands, UB40 sold over 70 million records and earned more than fifty UK chart hits. With Ali Campbell’s unmistakeable voice leading the charge, this will be the group’s debut performance at the Gaelic Grounds and one of the most anticipated outdoor shows of the summer.
Joining them is Dublin’s own Damien Dempsey, a force of nature on the live stage and widely regarded as one of Ireland’s finest performers. Fresh from two sold-out shows at the Iveagh Gardens and armed with his new album Hold Your Joy, Dempsey is set to deliver a heartfelt, high-energy set blending passion, poetry, and people-powered singalongs.
Completing this exceptional triple bill is UK ska royalty The Selecter, fronted by the trailblazing Pauline Black. Still riding high from a triumphant appearance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury and a headline-grabbing Sky Arts documentary, the band will bring decades of hits including On My Radio, Too Much Pressure, and Three Minute Hero.
Opening the show will be The Beatles Dub Club, offering a unique spin on the Fab Four’s classics, guaranteed to surprise and delight audiences with a sound they’ve never heard before.
Limerick’s Big Weekend of the Year
From pulsing pop and dance anthems to soul-stirring reggae and ska, the TUS Gaelic Grounds is set to transform into a two-day musical mecca. With world-class production, an unmatched atmosphere, and a line-up that blends nostalgia with live energy, this is not just another festival-it’s Limerick’s ultimate summer send-off.
