The Next Big Thing, Ex Oh Promotions’ festival of rising Irish acts, returns for its sixth edition in 2027, and this time it’s spreading across three weekends in Dublin, Cork and Belfast.
It kicks off with four nights in its usual home of The Workman’s Club in Dublin from Wednesday January 20th to Saturday January 23rd.
The first names announced are mischa and the bear, Filmore! and Ria Rua, with full lineups below.
After a sold-out first outing last year, the festival returns to Cork for two nights at the newly refurbished Savoy on Saturday January 30th and Sunday January 31st, with I Dreamed I Dream and Therapy Horse among the acts.
Belfast gets its first Next Big Thing over the Easter weekend, on Saturday March 27th and Sunday March 28th at the Ulster Sports Club, with Susi Pagel and Strange New Places on the bill.
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Lineup so far
DUBLIN
January 20th–23rd, The Workman’s Club
- Telekura
- mischa & the bear
- Filmore!
- Ria Rua
- SINK
- Merricat
- Empty Internet
- Cicada
- Dazgak
- No Photos
- Danxgerous
- Susi Pagel
- SHALLO
- Emma Noodles
- MICAH
- Ulma
- SALAMA
- A Neutered Fruit
CORK
January 30th–31st, Savoy
- I Dreamed I Dream
- Other Mother
- Charcoal Greys
- Therapy Horse
- Jean Pack & The Slay Babies
- Picture Postcard
- Go Like This
- Tulca
- Gerron
BELFAST
March 27th–28th, Ulster Sports Club
- Susi Pagel
- Strange New Places
- GUSH
- VERA
- Gag Reflex
- Black Turf
- Running Out The Clock
- Max Sloan
- Haunted Images
As in previous years, the lineups put a focus on artists who have been historically underrepresented in the music industry, including women, people of colour and the LGBTQI+ community.
Tickets
A limited number of early bird tickets are on sale now at €10 for all four nights in Dublin, €10 for both nights in Cork and £10 for both nights in Belfast. After that, it’s €15/£15 for a single night, or €19.99/£19.99 for the full pass.
The Next Big Thing 2027 is supported by Safe Gigs Ireland, Skiddle and Anseo Tacsaí.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. Niall is the chost of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and host of monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
