DUBLIN’S National Concert Hall isn’t the first venue that springs to mind for a music festival, but two (of the non-camping variety) will be held in the Earlsfort Terrace establishment in July and August. The ESB Live gig series will run until August 19th, with Clannad playing on July 25th and 26th, and Anúna on August 2nd. Jack L will conclude the series on August 18th and 19th with a special themed show called The 27 Club, featuring songs made famous by musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Robert Johnson, Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain, all of whom died at the age of 27.

Meanwhile, the Summer@NCH festival promises gigs by the Kilfenora Céilí Band tomorrow, as well as The High Kings (July 12th), Kíla (July 19th), Horslips (August 25th and 26th) and others.

"For a few years we'd toyed with the idea of orchestrating some Horslips material," Jim Lockhart told The Ticket. "It always seemed an area that held great promise, but when Brian Byrne arranged a selection of our music in 2010, the results went way beyond what we'd imagined. It's such a buzz to be part of that blend of band and orchestra – we're really looking forward to these gigs at the National Concert Hall." See nch.ie.