9 of the biggest gigs that ever came to Northern Ireland
Did you know The Beatles once played Kings Hall?
Last updated 23rd Apr 2018
No decent acts ever come here right? Wrong. It turns out just about every major band or artist, including THE BEATLES has played Northern Ireland.
With Ed Sheeran and a summer of jam packed music festivals to come, we look back on some massive gigs from back in the day.
Venues like the Kings Hall and Ulster Hall, once played, and continue to host to some of the biggest names in the music business.
1. U2, Botanic Gardens, 26th August, 1997
U2 rocked Belfast with one of the loudest, biggest and most spectacular gigs in the city's history. Ash opened the show, U2 kicked it off with Mofo, Bono entered in a boxer's robe and The Edge wore an oxygen mask as 42,000 music fans packed into Botanic Gardens.
2. Snow Patrol, Ward Park, Bangor, Summer 2007 & 2010
One of Northern Ireland's most successful bands. Gary Lightbody and co performed two special live outdoor gigs at Ward Park to a crowd of 40,000 people, supported by Ash and We Are Scientists.
With their new album 'Wildness' being released in May, could it happen again?
3. Ledd Zeplin, Ulster Hall, 5th March, 1971
The first show of their world tour took place in Belfast's Ulster Hall infront of 1200 people during the height of the Troubles. Historically it was the first ever public performance of 'Stairway to Heaven'. One of the rock concerts of a decade which will be remembered for years to come.
4. Bruce Springstein, Kings Hall, March 19th, 1996
The rock legend's Belfast show at King's Hall was Springstein's first ever in Northern Ireland as part of his worldwide Ghost of Tom Joad Tour. "Born in the U.S.A.," "Born to Run" and "Thunder Road" were all on the set list.
5. Avicii, Tennent's Vital, 26th August, 2016
In one of his last ever live gigs, global superstar Avicii brought the bank holiday weekend to a spectacular close at Boucher Road in front of 40,000 people. The Swedish DJ wowed audiences with hits "Levels", "Wake Me Up" and went out with an amazing pyrotechnic display. Tim Bergling announced his retirement from touring prior to the gig. Sadly, he passed away at the weekend at the age of 28, leaving fans devastated with the news.
6. Eminem, Ward Park, August 24th, 2011
After a four year hiatus, Tennent's Vital moved to Bangor's Ward Park and welcomed arguably the biggest rapper on the planet Eminem. The Recovery Tour was supported by Kaiser Chiefs, Jimmy Eat World, OFWGKTA and D12.
7. P!nk, Kings Hall, June 6th, 2010
American superstar P!nk got the summer started when she took her Funhouse Carnival Tour on the road to Belfast's King's Hall. She opened the show with "Get The Party Started" and surprised fans with covers of Green Day's "Basket Case" and The Police's hit "Roxanne".
8. Nirvana and Cher, 22nd June, 1992
The show that would prove to be Nirvana's very last ever indoor show in the UK took place at the Kings Hall in Belfast. The band had just released their multi-million seller “Nevermind” album and played some of their biggest hits "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Come as You Are" to a packed crowd.
9. The Beatles, Kings Hall, 1963 and 1964
This one might surprise a few people, yes, The Beatles once played here!
In 1963 Beatlemania hit Belfast as crowds awaited to catch a glimpse of the stars at Fisherwick Place before their gig at the Ritz Cinema.
This was The Beatles' first of two visits to Northern Ireland. They returned on 2nd November in 1964 for two shows at the King's Hall.