Misery, country music and space drama – what’s happening in Dublin this week

From a country rock superstar to returning from a downtown arts and music party, it’s all kicking off in the capital over the next few days. These are our top picks…

Brad Paisley, 3 Arena

It’s no Garth Brooks, but Brad Paisley is still one of America’s favorite country superstars, with over 11 million albums sold and three Grammy Awards in his back pocket. The man in the pearly white Stetson returns to Dublin for a night of old-school cowboy guitar music. Paisley hasn’t released a new album in five years, so don’t be surprised if he tries some new material.

Saturday July 16. Time: 8 p.m. Tickets from €60. For booking information and more visit https://3arena.ie/

Apollo 13 – Live Concert Screening, National Concert Hall

One of the most enduring qualities of Ron Howard’s Oscar-winning drama is that, even though you know how it ends, it still manages to retain an air of thrilling suspense. It also has a wonderful score, courtesy of the late and great James Horner. This week, the National Symphony Orchestra, in conjunction with Film Concerts Live!, performs it in its entirety at the National Concert Hall, while Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton and Ed Harris do their thing on the big screen.

Friday July 15. Main stage. Time: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: €24.50 – €49.50. For more information on bookings and more visit www.nch.ie

Continuous Patterns IMMA Summer Party

Celebrating “the evolution of the city’s vibrant arts community,” this delightful two-day summer festival features an exciting lineup of live music, DJs, art and good vibes. Emerging artists Jar Jar Jr, Negro Impacto and EFÉ are featured, as are acclaimed contemporary ensemble Glasshouse and Aoife Nessa Frances. Oh, and the awesome Stomptown Brass is there too, so don’t forget your dancing shoes.

Friday July 15 and Saturday July 16. Opening hours: 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Tickets: €30 per day. For a full list of events and booking information visit https://imma.ie/

Oliver Cole, Whelan’s

Believe it or not, it’s been almost two years since former Turn frontman Oliver Cole released his third solo album, the acclaimed Father, Brother, Son. For reasons that hardly need explaining, Cole was never able to perform the songs live in 2020, which is why he ultimately decided to give the record a proper launch party in our favorite haunt of Wexford Street this weekend. Keep an eye on the website for details of an act of support.

Saturday July 16. Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: €18.95. For booking information and more, visit https://www.whelanslive.com/

Misery, Light House Cinema

To mark the recent death of the inimitable James Caan, and to remember one of cinema’s most remarkable talents at the height of his powers, the folks at Light House in Smithfield have dusted off Rob Reiner’s phenomenal rendition of Stephen King’s Misery for a big screen showing this weekend. You know the chorus. Caan plays a famous novelist who finds himself in a car accident during a snowstorm. An obsessive fan (a never-better Kathy Bates) comes to her aid. He will wish she hadn’t. The best horror of the 90s? It’s definitely up there.

Sunday July 17. Time: 9 p.m. Tickets: €11 / €13.50. For more information on bookings and more visit www.lighthousecinema.ie/