Every July, something remarkable happens in Galway — already a city steeped in music, storytelling and artistic rebellion, it transforms into a living, breathing celebration of creativity. Streets hum with anticipation, conversations spill late into the night, and for a few precious weeks the ordinary rules of time seem suspended. At the heart of this annual transformation sits the Heineken Big Top at Galway International Arts Festival – a venue that has become synonymous with unforgettable nights, world-class performances and moments of collective exhilaration that linger long after the lights go down.
Next summer, the Big Top’s musical programme promises to be one of the most compelling in the Festival’s history. Spanning generations, genres and emotional registers, it brings together global icons, beloved Irish acts and boundary-pushing performers whose live shows are experiences rather than mere concerts. From punk poetry and psychedelic spectacle to dancefloor abandon, soul-stirring balladry and full-throttle Irish singalongs, the Big Top will once again be the place where music fans from near and far converge, united by a shared hunger for something extraordinary.
The season begins with a true cultural landmark: the Galway debut of Patti Smith. Few artists occupy such a singular space in the artistic imagination. Poet, punk pioneer, activist and icon, Smith’s influence stretches far beyond music, shaping literature, visual art and the very idea of creative freedom itself. Her appearance at the Heineken Big Top is not just another headline slot; it is an event laden with meaning, history and emotional resonance.
Patti Smith
Patti Smith’s live performances have long been celebrated for their raw power and unpredictability. Each show feels alive, responsive to the moment, driven as much by instinct as by setlists. There is an intimacy to her presence, even in large venues, a sense that she is speaking directly to each listener. Born in Chicago and raised in South Jersey, Smith moved to New York City in 1967, where she became a central figure in the city’s explosive arts scene, forging connections between poetry, rock music and performance art.
Her groundbreaking 1975 debut album Horses didn’t merely introduce a new sound; it announced a new way of being an artist. Fierce, lyrical and uncompromising, the album reshaped the musical landscape and continues to inspire generations of musicians. Its enshrinement in the National Recording Registry is a testament to its enduring cultural significance. Smith’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 only cemented her status as one of the most important artists of the last half-century.
Across a career defined by curiosity and courage, Smith has released a remarkable body of work, from Radio Ethiopiaand Easter – which includes the immortal “Because the Night,” co-written with Bruce Springsteen – to Dream of Life, home to the anthemic “People Have the Power,” written with her late husband Fred Sonic Smith. Later albums such as Gone Again, Gung Ho and Banga reveal an artist who continues to wrestle with loss, love, politics and faith. For her Galway appearance, Smith will be joined by longtime collaborator Tony Shanahan, her son Jackson Smith on guitar, and acclaimed drummer Seb Rochford. Together, they promise a night that will be electrifying, reflective and profoundly moving – a true highlight of the Festival.
From introspective intensity, the Big Top swings joyfully into the spectacular with the return of The Flaming Lips. Renowned for staging some of the most visually astonishing and emotionally euphoric live shows anywhere in the world, the Oklahoma City band’s 2026 Irish exclusive promises a night of unfiltered wonder. To see The Flaming Lips live is to step into a technicolour dreamscape where giant inflatable spheres roll across the crowd, confetti rains from the ceiling and music becomes a communal celebration of life itself.
The Flaming Lips
Formed in 1983, The Flaming Lips have spent decades reinventing what an alternative rock band can be. Their performances balance childlike joy with profound emotional depth, offering moments of pure exhilaration alongside songs that explore love, mortality and the fragile beauty of existence. Anthems such as “Do You Realize??” and “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1” have become cultural touchstones, while more recent albums like King’s Mouth and American Head have been praised for their warmth, ambition and humanity.
Joining them are special guests Mercury Rev, one of America’s most imaginative and enduring alternative bands. Celebrated for their lush, kaleidoscopic sound, Mercury Rev draw on psychedelia, orchestral pop, jazz, folk and electronic music to create songs that shimmer with texture and emotion. Their music, described by The Guardian as pushing the boundaries of what rock can mean, makes them the perfect companions for The Flaming Lips. Together, they promise a night of colour, creativity and emotional release that will rank among the summer’s most unforgettable experiences.
Block Rockin Beats
Energy of a different, sweat-soaked variety arrives with the return of Dec Pierce’s Block Rockin Beats. Following one of the standout shows of this year’s Festival, the high-octane live phenomenon storms back into the Heineken Big Top on Friday 17 July 2026. Based on Pierce’s hugely popular Today FM radio show, Block Rockin Beats is a collision of dance anthems and rock classics, delivered with the power of a full live band.
Since first taking to the decks in 1995, Dec Pierce has built a reputation for shows that are packed with nostalgia, passion and irresistible momentum. In the Big Top, that energy is magnified into something almost feral. Expect iconic tracks like “No Good (Start the Dance ),” Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage,” reimagined in a way that feels louder, rawer and more visceral than ever. This is a show designed to be felt as much as heard – a night where bodies move instinctively and the line between performer and audience dissolves into pure collective exhilaration.
Emeli Sandé and James Morrison
A more intimate, soul-driven atmosphere follows with a very special double-bill featuring two of Britain’s most celebrated voices: Emeli Sandé and James Morrison. Each artist will deliver an individual headline performance, making for an evening defined by exceptional songwriting, emotional honesty and vocal brilliance.
James Morrison brings with him a catalogue of songs that have become modern classics. From his breakthrough hit “You Give Me Something” to favourites like “Broken Strings” and “I Won’t Let You Go,” Morrison’s music blends soul, pop and folk with heartfelt sincerity. On stage, he is warm, expressive and quietly commanding, capable of turning even the vastness of the Big Top into an intimate space. Songs from his 2025 album Fight Another Day promise to add fresh depth to an already rich set.
Emeli Sandé, meanwhile, stands as one of the most distinctive singer-songwriters of her generation. Her record-breaking debut album Our Version of Events remains one of the most successful British albums of the 21st century, featuring hits such as “Heaven,” “Next to Me” and “Read All About It.” Her voice – powerful, expressive and instantly recognisable – has carried her through acclaimed solo releases and high-profile collaborations with artists including Naughty Boy, Labrinth, Alicia Keys and David Guetta. Known for emotionally charged live performances, Sandé brings a sense of gravity and grace that promises to make this a truly unforgettable evening.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Pop joy and glittering escapism take centre stage with the much-anticipated return of Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Taking to the Heineken Big Top on Wednesday 22 July 2026, Sophie arrives in Galway fresh from sold-out tours across the UK, Europe and the US, her reputation as one of pop’s most joyful live performers firmly intact. Her shows are celebrations in the purest sense – exuberant, inclusive and utterly infectious.
Across a 25-year career, Sophie Ellis-Bextor has delivered an extraordinary run of hits, from “Murder on the Dancefloor” and “Take Me Home” to “Get Over You” and “Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer ).” Her recent disco-pop anthem “Freedom of the Night” marked a confident return to her signature sound, while her album Perimenopop became her sixth Top 10 record. The viral resurgence of “Murder on the Dancefloor” following its use in Saltburn introduced her music to a whole new generation, underlining its timeless appeal. Joining her as special guest is Kate Nash, whose BRIT Award-winning debut Made of Bricks and charismatic, high-energy performances make her the perfect addition to this vibrant night.
For many festivalgoers, the arrival of James at the Big Top will be a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Performing in Galway for the very first time on Thursday 23 July 2026, the Manchester legends bring with them over four decades of music that has soundtracked lives, heartbreaks and moments of communal joy. From the euphoric “Sit Down” and ecstatic “Laid” to soaring classics like “Come Home,” “She’s A Star” and “Born of Frustration,” their songs are poetic, spiritual and joyously alive.
James
Renowned for their unpredictable, electrifying live shows, James have an extraordinary ability to turn audiences into choirs. Frontman Tim Booth’s uninhibited, almost shamanic stage presence – dancing wildly, reaching out to the crowd – lies at the heart of that magic. Fresh from sold-out arena tours and headline festival slots around the world, the band arrive at Galway International Arts Festival in unstoppable form. Their latest album Yummy, which debuted at No.1 in the UK, captures a band still evolving, still curious and still deeply connected to their audience. Expect a night of transcendence, nostalgia and shared release.
Saw Doctors
Few nights embody the spirit of Galway quite like a Saw Doctors show, and their return to the Heineken Big Top on Friday 24 July 2026 promises exactly that. Following sold-out performances at GIAF in 2023 and 2024, the beloved band are back by overwhelming demand, ready to deliver a night of joyous mayhem.
With their infectious blend of rock, folk and unfiltered Irish spirit, The Saw Doctors have created songs that are woven into the fabric of Irish life. From “N17” and “Clare Island” to “To Win Just Once,” “I Useta Lover” and “Hay Wrap,” their catalogue is a treasure trove of singalong anthems. Fronted by founding songwriters Davy Carton and Leo Moran, and backed by a formidable line-up, the band transforms every show into a communal celebration where strangers become friends and memories are forged in chorus.
Bell X1
Rounding out this remarkable programme are Bell X1, whose return to the Big Top offers a fitting conclusion to a summer of musical riches. Renowned for their fearless experimentation and emotional intelligence, Bell X1 have long occupied a unique place in Irish music. Their sound has encompassed alternative rock, electronica, folk and synth-pop, all delivered with lyrical sharpness and melodic grace.
Fans can expect favourites from across their acclaimed back catalogue, including “Rocky Took a Lover,” “The Great Defector,” “Alphabet Soup,” “The End Is Nigh” and “Flame,” alongside songs from their most recent album Merciful Hour, hailed as one of their finest releases. With multiple Choice Music Prize nominations and No.1 albums to their name, Bell X1 remain one of the country’s most compelling live acts.
Together, these artists create a Big Top programme that captures everything Galway International Arts Festival stands for: ambition, diversity, joy and emotional depth. Next July, the Big Top won’t just host concerts – it will host moments of connection, release and celebration. Music fans will flock to Galway, drawn by the promise of nights that remind us why live music matters, and why, in the right place, at the right time, it can feel like the most powerful force in the world.
