Galway International Arts Festival
It's a summer like no other ... but now the time is right to do something extraordinary.
The Galway International Arts Festival will runn between 17th-30th July 2023 in Galway city and county. While the programme is still to be revealed, you can get excited by taking a look below at some of the fantastic performances which took place in 2022.
Find Out More About GIAF here.
THE PIXIES
Rock legends Pixies make their Galway International Arts Festival debut at the Heineken Big Top in July 2022 for what will be two very special nights.
One of the most influential bands of the last thirty years, Pixies, whose mix of punk aggression and pop melodies helped establish the sound that would become the calling card of alternative rock in the 1990s, will play the Heineken Big Top on July 14 & 15 July 2022.
While Pixies have been acclaimed as the most influential, pioneering band of the late 80s alt/rock movement, having blazed the trail for artists from Nirvana to Radiohead to Pearl Jam, today a whole new generation of music fans are discovering their “loudquietloud” signature sound.
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THE FLAMING LIPS
Their GIAF18 gig was one of the most talked about in GIAF history. In July 2022 Flaming Lips make their triumphant return to the Heineken Big Top.
The Flaming Lips are often said to put on one of the best live shows in the world. The six-time Grammy nominated band bring dazzling colours, lights and other accoutrements (think giant zorbs and unicorns) to their perpetually crowd-pleasing sets, playing hits like "Do You Realize??" and "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1". Q Magazine has listed The Flaming Lips as one of "50 Band to See Before You Die."
The band's 15th studio album, the ‘playful, melodic, cinematic’ King’s Mouth, was released in July 2019, with their entire musical catalogue since their formation in 1983 praised for its unique, infectious pop sound.
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THE STUNNING
Festival favourites The Stunning return to the Heineken Big Top stage in July 2022.
Audiences at the Heineken Big Top in July 2022 can look forward to classics like ‘Brewing up a Storm’, ‘Heads are Gonna Roll’ and ‘Half Past Two’ and new hits like 'Brighten Up My Life' when The Stunning return to the Festival for the first time since their sold-out show at GIAF 2018.
Special guests Something Happens are an Irish pop-rock band best known for hits like ‘Burn Clear’ and ‘Parachute’.
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THE ACADEMIC
They rocked the Festival stage in 2019 and now they're back! The Academic will headline the Heineken Big Top in July 2022.
One of Ireland's most exciting live acts, The Academic are known for addictive pop hits like 'Bear Claws', 'Fake ID' and 'Superlike'.
Their impressive resume includes a long list of sold out headline shows and appearances at some of Europe’s most high profile festivals as well as opening slots for acts like Twenty One Pilots, The Strokes, Catfish and The Bottlemen.
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SINEAD O'CONNOR
Inimitable singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor to headline the Heineken Big Top in July 2022.
She's the visionary and uncompromising artist behind the early new wave explosion of ‘Mandinka’ and the multi–platinum soul of Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 You’.
This year marks the return of Sinéad O’Connor after a four year hiatus from performing. Her new beginning will see her bring out new music and tour the world once again as one of the true and original living greats of our time.
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KAISER CHIEFS
For nearly two decades, Kaiser Chiefs have been one of the UK's biggest bands, known for chart-topping tunes and fantastic live shows. Accolades for the popular band include three Brit Awards, an NME award for Best Album, and a spot on the Mercury Prize shortlist.
Over the years, Kaiser Chiefs have supported legendary acts including U2, Green Day, and Foo Fighters. Memorably, they were featured in the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics, playing "Pinball Wizard" by The Who.
Heineken Big Top audiences can look forward to '00s-era favourites, like "Ruby" and "I Predict a Riot", which was featured on NME's "Greatest Indie Anthems Ever" countdown.
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JON HOPKINS
The Mercury Prize and Grammy Award nominated musician will bring his startlingly unique blend of electronic, ambient and classical music to the Heineken Big Top in July 2021.
Jon Hopkins is known for finely crafted, contemplative electronic music exploring different psychological states, and the connectivity of mind and nature. The English musician and producer has released five critically acclaimed studio albums, including his latest Singularity, as well as the soundtrack for the 2010 film Monsters. His diverse body of work includes collaborations with industry heavyweights such as Brian Eno, King Creosote, Imogen Heap, David Holmes and Coldplay.
