Rock gigs being staged this summer

Arctic Monkeys

June 16 and 17

Malahide Castle, Co Dublin; €49.20 (June 16 gig sold out)

The gig of the summer for the youngsters. This Sheffield band (singer Alex Turner, below) has startled the music industry by circumventing the usual routes to major success. Musically, they're rough around the edges, lyrically they're as a sharp as a razor. Support bill includes Supergrass, the Coral and Delorentos.

Peter Gabriel/Crowded House

June 22

Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin. €64.50

Crowded House have a summer- friendly back catalogue, while Gabriel has the cachet suited to his status as an elder rock music statesman.

REM

June 30-July 1; July 3-5

Olympia Theatre, Dublin. Sold out

A dry run for the band's forthcoming album, which they are currently recording in Grouse Lodge, Westmeath. Bliss for fans; blather for everyone else. Here's a question, though: why can't U2 do something like this?

Oxegen

July 7 and 8

Punchestown Racecourse, Co Kildare. Sold out

Very impressive line-up for this established music event - including Arcade Fire, Amy Winehouse, Tori Amos, The Killers, Snow Patrol and The Gossip. You haven't got a ticket? Bummer, eh?

Barbra Streisand

July 14

Castletown House, Co Kildare. €118.50-€551.75

Streisand, the highest-selling female recording artist ever, makes her Irish debut with this much-touted concert. Words fail us - as will our bank balance.

The Rolling Stones

Aug 18

Slane Castle, Co Meath. Sold out

Mick'n'Keef (below right) and the old lags return to Slane Castle 25 years after their first triumphant gig there. A nice day out rather than a bona fide rock gig, we think.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

George Michael

June 6 and 7 RDS

Antony and the Johnsons

June 21 Marquee, Cork

The Who

June 29, Marlay Park, Dublin

Midlands Music Festival

July 28 and 29 Belvedere House, Co Westmeath

Foo Fighters

August 22 Marlay Park, Dublin

Electric Picnic Aug 31-Sept 2 Stradbally, Co Laois,

Compiled by Tony Clayton-Lea