Young and loud: The now annual Oxegen music festival manages to attract the biggest of the big names to a racecourse in Co Kildare for two days in July. It's some indication of how popular the festival has become that all the tickets for this year's event sold out in a day or two. Headline acts are Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sigur Rós, Arctic Monkeys, The Who and Franz Ferdinand. It's not just for the under-30s you know. Punchestown Racecourse, Kildare, July 8th and 9th. Keep an eye on www.ticketmaster.ie in case more tickets are made available nearer the date.
2. Best in fest
One of the best music festivals around - and that's according to the awe-struck international media. The line-up at this year's Electric Picnic is once again designed to attract the slightly older and more discerning music fan. With numbers kept down to 30,000, there are next-to-no queues and you can actually see the band without having to use a TV screen. Headliners include Massive Attack and Antony and the Johnsons. Stradbally Hall, Co Laois, Sept 1st-3rd. Tickets €175 for three days, from www.ticketmaster.ie.
3. Sheer entertainment
Most self-respecting rock critics wouldn't cross the road for a Robbie Williams concert but that doesn't stop about 100,000 people turning up for his Irish shows. Whatever you think about Williams (left), there is no denying his excellent showmanship and his value-for-money live show. Expect one big, good-natured karaoke session. Croke Park, Dublin, June 9th. Again, this has sold out but keep an eye on www.ticketmaster.ie.
4. Keepin' it country
The new Midlands festival has secured the services of some real country greats, and there's an alt-country stage here as well. On the grounds of the splendid Ballinlough Castle, this could be the surprise festival hit this year. Acts include Kenny Rogers, Glen Campbell, Nanci Griffith, Emmylou Harris and Van Morrison. Ballinlough Castle, Co Meath, July 28th and 29th. Tickets from €65 to €120 available from www.ticketmaster.ie
5. Black dress obligatory
There's always something highly amusing about seeing hordes of teenagers dressed in black on their way to the RDS whenever Metallica (James Hetfield from the band, left) hit town. There's a strong supporting cast here which includes Korn and Alice In Chains. Earplugs might be an idea. RDS, Dublin, June 11th. Tickets €54.50 to €74 from www.ticketmaster.ie
6. Castle of rock
Castlepalooza (named after the US festival, Lollapalooza) is the newest festival on the block. This year it's in the grounds of Charleville Castle near Tullamore, Co Offaly. This is an Irish independent music affair with appearances from Republic of Loose, 8 Ball, Bray Vista, Katell Keinig and Prison Love. One- or two-day tickets, with or without camping.Prices vary. Tel: 0818-220050 or www.ticketlord.com.
Jim Carroll's full preview of summer gigs, which was published in The Ticket, can be seen at www.ireland.com/theticket
