Marble City Music Festival

St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny City James Street, Kilkenny, Ireland

The Marble City Music Festival was started by world-renowned violinist and Kilkenny native, Patrick Rafter. Rafter has brought together Ireland’s most sensational and celebrated musicians for something spectacular this winter. How does a Christmas Concert sound with complimentary mulled wine & mince pies, all while listening to glorious music played by some of Ireland’s greatest musicians? Musicians include Patrick Rafter, Claudia Boyle, Fiachra Garvey, the Rafter Family and Michel Lethiec.

€18 – €30

Battle of the Buskers

Yulefest Kilkenny Battle of the Buskers in association with KCLR96fm

This December we’re bringing live entertainment to the streets of Kilkenny!

If you are an individual musician or a group enter now to win €500.

Twelve artists will be selected to perform acoustically on the streets of Kilkenny on a chosen Friday night in December.

The overall winner gets the €500, together with recording time in studio and airplay on KCLR.

Free

James Vincent McMorrow

The Set Theatre

Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow releases his seventh studio album, Wide Open, Horses, via Nettwerk Music Group. The album release follows the singles "Never Gone," "Give Up," "Call Me Back," and "Things We Tell Ourselves,”.

Wide Open, Horses is a candid snapshot of everything that has brought McMorrow to this point. The album signifies a retaking of his narrative, a freeing self-acceptance, and a rebuilding of both his sense of self and his connection to music.

€37.50

Susan O’Neill

The Set Theatre

Susan has spent the last few years honing her craft as a solo performer. A songwriter of hidden depths, with a timeless voice that is equal parts balm and blowtorch, she is audacity personified, a free spirit, a real performer.

Since the release of the critically acclaimed collaboration album with Mick Flannery ‘In The Game’, Susan has toured extensively across Europe and North America, performing both with Mick and solo on headline tours, festival stages, and as an invited guest to an array of artists including Phoebe Bridgers, Valerie June and The Teskey Brothers.

€25

The Scratch

The Set Theatre

All shows are over 18’s unless specified

(once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded, unless the event is cancelled)

Tickets onsale from Thursday 3rd October at 10am

The Scratch are a band that don’t seem to fit in anywhere, but have proven to fit in everywhere. Starting out with just acoustic guitars and a wooden box, the band created an immediate buzz in their hometown of Dublin, Ireland. Seemingly incapable of keeping themselves boxed in to one singular genre, they meander intentionally around heavy metal, Irish folk music, stadium rock, and post punk.

€30

Something Happens

The Set Theatre

Legends of the late eighties Irish music scene, Something Happens were one of the Irish bands of the period who trail-blazed a commercial path across the country and beyond. While not recording anymore (singer Tom Dunne is a well-known radio presenter) they still play live to their adoring fan base. With a catalogue of hit singles at their disposal, the Something Happens! live show is an unmissable trip down memory lane.

€30

Reboot Events: Datsko

The Set Theatre

𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐒𝐊𝐎 𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐄 𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐘️

𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡’𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗬𝗘𝗧! Get ready for this one,  Reboots very own Datsko make his debut at the one and only Set Theatre Kilkenny this 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟮𝟴𝗧𝗛 for our third ever show at Set Theatre. Joining us also on the night will be 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧 + Reboot DJs so strap and be ready…

9:30pm – 2:00am

€12 – €17.50

Altered States

The Set Theatre

Altered States features the best DJ Collectives Kilkenny has to offer.

Mission DJ’s (Swiss & Cleveland Mike)
Moot Tapes (Polytunnel & Jellypelt)
The Se7en Inch Collective (Kilo & Ste)

9:30pm – 2:00am

€15

The High Kings

The Hub Cillín Hill, Kilkenny, Ireland

The High Kings have just announced their brand new show, the ‘Step It Out World Tour’, which will include a limited run of Irish Dates.

The ‘Step It Out World Tour’ combines the infectious energy of the well-known song mixed with a lively celebration of music and dance! Expect an unforgettable night packed with hits, heartfelt harmonies, and the energetic spirit of Irish tradition.

The High Kings’ reimagined version of Step It Out Mary in 2023 shattered streaming records for the band alongside the very popular Chasing Rainbows (Badscandal Remix) showing that The High Kings enduring appeal transcends generations, attracting fans of all ages to their music.

€39.50

Mack Fleetwood

The Set Theatre

Europe’s premier tribute to the supergroup FLEETWOOD MAC brings you on a magical musical journey from the Peter Green blues era to the multi-platinum-selling band that still tours today.

€27.50

Coldplace

The Set Theatre

Coldplace – the world’s leading tribute to Coldplay is a stunning live concert performance celebrating the music of one of the most successful bands of all time

The only tribute to have worked for Coldplay, this outstanding band leads you through all your favourite Coldplay hits from the last 20+ years including Yellow, Paradise and A Sky Full Of Stars, right through to Higher Power and My Universe from their latest album Music of the Spheres

This world class show faithfully recreates the magic of Coldplay’s record breaking live tours featuring lasers, confetti, video screen and the xyloband led wristbands that have become synonymous with Coldplay concerts and truly make the audience part of the show

€30

Reeling in the Showband Years

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Reeling In the Showband Years has been a smash hit for the past 13 years, and in 2025 it returns once again to the Watergate Theatre for another nostalgic journey back in time to the magical Showband era.

Featuring performances by RTÉ's Mr Music singing Joe Dolan, Eurovision and Dickie Rock classics, superstar Gina from the Champions, brother-sister duo Keith and Lorraine McDonald, Shaun O'Dowd of Ding-a-Ling, Dave Lawlor (Showbands on Parade), The Conquerors Showband, plus RTÉ's Ronan Collins on hosting (and singing duties) - and much more to be announced!

€32

The Doors Alive

The Set Theatre

Widely regarded as the closest and most enthralling representation of the legendary 1960’s rock gods, The Doors Alive return to Kilkenny’s Set Theatre on Thursday 30th January 2025.

The Doors Alive recreate the sound, look, presence and magic of a real 1960’s Doors concert, perfectly and effortlessly transporting the audience back in time with classic hits such as “Light My Fire”, “When The Music’s Over”, “Riders On The Storm”, “The End” and many more.

Since forming in 2005, The Doors Alive have played over 1,000 shows under their belt to date and, despite a few changes, the current line-up is the best it has ever been!

€25

Sinatra’s Greatest Hits

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

The West End’s Rat Pack star Stephen Triffitt performs the legendary Frank Sinatra’s Greatest Hits. Stephen Triffitt, accompanied by his band, offers a glimpse of the genius that was Frank Sinatra.

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune, “As Sinatra, Triffitt’s strength is in his faithful recreation of “Old Blue Eyes” mannerisms, voice and phrasing…...you’d swear you were listening to the original.”Stephen Triffitt played Frank Sinatra in the West End’s original production of Frank, Sammy and Dean - Live from Las Vegas, which ran for eight years in the West End.

He has performed across the world on a regular basis from LA to Moscow with The Definitive Rat Pack.

€32

The Highstool Prophets

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

The Watergate Theatre looks forward to welcoming back the rip roaring ensemble The Highstool Prophets on 14 February.

The Highstool Prophets have been blazing a trail in the Irish Folk Music scene for a number of years now. Most notably, their cover of Scottish singer Amy MacDonald’s hit, “This is the Life” has exceeded 14 million hits across online streaming platforms, with the artist noting it as “the best cover of the song, by a country mile!”

With a string of sold out shows, public appearances and new music releases, Expect some of your favourite songs from renowned folk artists, high energy trad sounds, and a memorable evening of entertainment.

€22.50

An Audience with Rachel Tucker

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

The highlight of The Sondheim Festival 2025 - Broadway and West End star, Rachel Tucker in concert.

Rachel is an Olivier Nominated Actress who is currently starring in Hadestown at the Lyric Theatre in London, following her performance in Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre, playing the lead role of Norma Desmond alongside Nicole Scherzinger. Prior to that, she starred in Come From Away at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway, playing the role of Annette/Beverley Bass, the role she originated in London. Rachel received an Olivier Nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical at the 2019 Olivier Awards and she won Best Supporting Actress in a Musical at the 2020 WhatsOnStage Awards for her performance of this role.

Rachel became best known for her interpretation of Elphaba in London's West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Theatre. After playing the role for three years and over one thousand performances she became the show's longest running consecutive 'Green Witch' and, as a consequence was invited to play Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway.

€35

Showdown: The ELO Experience

The Set Theatre

The much anticipated arrival in Kilkenny is finally upon us! The Show features all the classic hits such as ‘Evil Woman’, ‘Showdown’, ‘Livin’ Thing’ & ‘Mr. Blue Sky’, performed fully live by the band inclusive of 6-part vocal harmonies and a string section to add that authentic classical sound!

With stunning visuals and videos that will blow you away! The band features some of Dublin’s incredibly talented musicians, including Shane O’Reilly (Bipolar Empire), guitar hero Joe Mullins, and the Butler family, known widely across Ireland and the UK for their creation and production of the touring show “The Live Last Waltz”, which features in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre bi-annually.

€27.50

Breathe: The Pink Floyd Experience

The Set Theatre

Introducing “PULSE” the latest masterpiece from Breathe – The Pink Floyd Experience.

As Ireland’s premier Pink Floyd tribute show, Breathe has been captivating audiences since 2015 with their impeccable musicianship and unwavering dedication to the iconic sounds of Pink Floyd.

“PULSE” is a breathtaking journey through Pink Floyd’s legendary live album, meticulously crafted to capture the essence and energy of their iconic performances. From the haunting melodies of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” to the electrifying pulse of “Another Brick in the Wall,” Breathe delivers an authentic Pink Floyd experience that will leave audiences spellbound.

Featuring the crème de la crème of Ireland’s session musicians, Breathe brings together a powerhouse lineup of talent. With members who have previously graced stages alongside some of the country’s top acts, including Sinead O’Connor, Shane McGowan, The RTE Concert Orchestra and Ian Richie (Rogar Water’s band) this ensemble embodies the essence of musical excellence.

€29.50

Damien Dempsey

The Set Theatre

TICKETS ON SALE TUESDAY 8TH OF OCTOBER AT 10AM

Damien Dempsey returns after 7 years with his new double album "Hold Your Joy" on 25th October 2024. 16 intricate tracks beautifully crafted. Honest, vulnerable, poignant and essential. Produced by long-time collaborator John Reynolds, Hold Your Joy is undoubtedly the most complete body of work Dempsey has committed to tape in his entire career. 

As Damo explains "...Hold Your Joy is about trying to be grateful and joyful, because if you're grateful and joyful in yourself, you'll be able to do more good for the world and other people...when you hear a lot of Irish traditional music, these incredible tunes that were written back in a time when Ireland was like a hell on earth. I think by writing these tunes they were holding their joy, you know, and they've turned that pain into something joyful and joyous. They were holding their joy by writing this incredible music and showing that they were stronger than the oppressor..."

Kilkenny Roots Festival 2025

Since 1998, Kilkenny Roots Festival has attracted some of the finest names in the Americana/Roots canon, including Calexico, Giant Sand, Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell, Alejandro Escovedo, Guy Clark, Chuck Prophet, Ray LaMontagne, Richmond Fontaine, Rodney Crowell, Phosphorescent, Sturgill Simpson and Alabama Shakes.

Audiences wind their way through the medieval streets sampling the huge range of music in the 30 plus venues, hosting over 40 Irish and international acts, with over 90 ticketed and free shows from early afternoon until late into the night.

There’s a mixture of old and new acts on the free pub gig trail and all styles are catered for, from swing to bluegrass, rockabilly to cajun, folk, blues and beyond.

Harvest: a tribute to Neil Young

The Set Theatre

All shows are over 18’s unless specified
(once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded, unless the event is cancelled)

Harvest (a tribute to Neil Young) are an 8-piece band who have been thrilling audiences and Neil Young fans all over Ireland for 15 years.

The band played a stunning show at the Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre in August 2024 and are delighted to be performing in Kilkenny again, at the Set Theatre in October 2025.

Patrons can expect to hear the band perform fan favourites from Young’s albums “Harvest”, “After the Gold Rush”, “Harvest Moon” and “Freedom”, to name but a few.

€30