ROCK/POP
Sligo Live `96
Sligo
August 22nd-29th
Last year's festival featured the likes of Christy Moore, Boyzone, Dervish and Mary Black, and this year's celebration promises an equally interesting mix of rock pop and folk. Tel (071) 45024.
Carling UnCorked `96 Music Festival
Cork
May 3rd-5th
This is the third festival sponsored by Carling in association with Cork City Vintners and it takes in everything from rock to traditional jazz to reggae. More than 60 bands, will perform in pubs and venues around Cork the line up includes An Emotional Fish, Who's Eddie, Blink and Frames D.C. One of the high lights is a special midnight gig at the Cork Opera House featuring Buffalo Soldier's tribute to Bob Marley. Tel (021), 276841.
Heineken Green Energy Festival Dublin May 2nd-5th
Dublin's first International Music Festival takes place in Temple Bar over the May Day Bank Holiday, and features a wide range of Irish acts including Mary Black, Aslan, Revelino, Lir, Mary Coughlan, Sack, Fourth Dimension and Dolores Keane, plus a number of guest artists from around the world. The festival reaches, beyond the environs of Temple Bar with the Venue Trail taking in 16 of the city's most popular venues The Point Theatre will host the headlining acts, Lou Reed, Orbital and Goldie/Metalheadz. Tel (01) 6708085.
Kilmeaden Bikers Festival Kilmeaden, Co Waterford June 1st-2nd
You don't have to be a Hells' Angel to enjoy this weekend of music and motorcycle mania, and you don't even have to own a bike to take part. This popular festival takes place on the June Bank Holiday week end, and features rock acts like Ian Dury, Something Happens and My Little Fun house, along with top names in dance like Mr. C from The Shamen. Highlight of the weekend is, of course, the Custom & Classic Bike Show on the Sunday afternoon, a dazzling display of rock'n'roll on wheels. Tel (051)78102.
CLASSICAL
Cork International Choral Festival Cork May 2nd-5th
Since its inception in 1954 this event has established itself as Europe's premier choral festival, and this year's opening performance of Verdi's Requiem will be a stunning example of the festival's consistent high standards. This year's International Trophy Competition will bring top amateur choirs from all over Europe.
