It’s that time of year again when leading lights and legacy acts across the musical spectrum descend on open-air arenas, castles, parks and more across Wales. From 80s synthpopper and meme renaissance man Rick Astley to a double-bill of American alt-rock from the following decade, and everything in between, here’s what’s on offer this summer for outdoor live music all over Wales, including Cardiff, Swansea, Llangollen and more.

Live outdoor music in Wales this summer: Cardiff

CARDIFF CASTLE: SMASHING PUMPKINS / WEEZER

Taking the long view, the co-headliner tour of Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer, landing in Cardiff Castle, bands together two emblematic names of 90s alternative America who’ve maintained an industrious recording schedule. You’d be forgiven for not having kept tabs on all the output, though. Thinking back to 30 years ago, when LA quartet Weezer released their debut album, it wasn’t quite like that: fronted by Rivers Cuomo, the group’s knowingly clean-cut powerpop was seen as something of a respite to the gloomy-toned riff salad of grunge icons like Chicago’s Smashing Pumpkins, who had already released two hit LPs.

A binary reading which itself ignores Weezer’s sizeable metal influence and Pumpkins overlord Billy Corgan’s gift for pop-adjacent melody. Evidently, there’s enough people happy to splash out on these double-header tickets, for which they should get hefty sets by each group. Both currently operating with something close to their ‘classic’ lineups, Pumpkins guitarist and drummer James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin returned after many years where the band was essentially Corgan plus hired guns; recent setlists largely acknowledge that fans are mainly there for the classics rather than latter-day concept album selections. Weezer, meanwhile, have always presented as entertainers before artists and invariably play shows reflecting this.

Fri 14 June. Tickets: £75 (sold out). Info: here

CARDIFF CASTLE: NOTHING BUT THIEVES

After releasing their fourth studio album Dead Club City last June, Southend five-piece Nothing But Thieves will be returning to the capital following their praised Swansea Arena headline show last November. Foot-stamping riffs and cutting, Jeff Buckley-styled vocal sweeps are sure to ensue at Cardiff Castle.

Wed 19 June. Tickets: £47.50. Info: here

CARDIFF CASTLE: CROWDED HOUSE

Antipodean pop-rockers Crowded House, the band behind decade-spanning hits such as the mighty Don’t Dream It’s Over and Weather With You, will likely be showcasing newly released studio album Gravity Stairs this time around at Cardiff Castle. Founding members Neil Finn and Nick Seymour will be joined by Mitchell Froom plus Neil’s sons Liam and Elroy for this outdoor show.

Thurs 20 June. Tickets: £49.50. Info: here

CARDIFF CASTLE: ERIC PRYDZ

With Swedish DJ/producer Eric Prydz set to play the revamped Arcadia stage at this year’s Glastonbury festival, the Call On Me star will be headlining an alldayer at Cardiff Castle on the same weekend; co-promoted by Shangri-La, Enrico Sangiuliano, Anna, Layla Benitez, Cristoph and James Organ will also feature.

Sat 29 June. Tickets: £54.50. Info: here

CARDIFF CASTLE: AVRIL LAVIGNE

Clone or no clone, Canadian punk princess Avril Lavigne has a lot of material to choose from when it comes to planning this highly anticipated summer setlist at Cardiff Castle. One thing’s for certain. fingers will be firmly crossed for hits taken from Lavigne’s iconic albums Under My Skin, The Best Damn Thing and Let Go.

Sun 2 July. Tickets: £52.50 (sold out). Info: here

CARDIFF CASTLE: RICK ASTLEY

Rick Astley’s renaissance, or ‘rickaissance’ if you will, continues with a summer stop at Cardiff Castle. The multi-platinum-certified Never Gonna Give You Up man returns with his second show of the year in the capital, following a sold-out concert at the Utilita Arena back in February. In the support slot are 90s Britpoppers Lightning Seeds, who have the option of playing Three Lions in Wales on the same day as a Euros semi-final.

It’s not just that one legendary tune you can expect from Astley too – his shows are a big castle-load of fun, with covers of Harry Styles and AC/DC (the latter of which sees Rick jump on the drums) and a refreshing sense of self-awareness that 99% of people are there for literally just the one song. It may be hard to believe, but he has other bangers behind him and he’s a natural showman worthy of shows of this size – regardless, we all know he’s never going to give us up (I’m so sorry).

Wed 10 July. Tickets: £45. Info: here

CARDIFF CASTLE: IDLES

Bristol-formed punk juggernauts Idles released their fifth studio album Tangk earlier this year. A vibrant and adventurous record – or a release “unsuccessfully channel(ing) an obsession with Young Fathers,” in the view of Buzz’s review in February. Here’s hoping the five-piece can garner a better response from this Cardiff Castle crowd.

Fri 12 July. Tickets: £45. Info: here

DEPOT IN THE CASTLE: ANNE-MARIE

Pop princess Anne-Marie brought her latest tour, The Unhealthy Club, to Utilita Arena Cardiff last November, since when she’s given birth to her daughter Seven and been announced for the Other Stage at this year’s Glastonbury 2024. For Depot In The Castle, meanwhile, she’ll be joined by Jax Jones, Cardiff’s own CVC and plenty more.

Sat 27 July. Tickets: £61.60. Info: here

PRINCIPALITY STADIUM: TAYLOR SWIFT, P!NK, FOO FIGHTERS

Taylor Swift isn’t the only name setting up shop in Wales’ theatre of occasional dreams, Principality Stadium. Look forward to other household names such as P!nk – who will be bringing her high flying, Summer Carnival tour to Cardiff – and rock’n’roll legends the Foo Fighters, who will be joined by Wet Leg and Cardiff’s very own Himalayas.

P!nk, Tue 11 Jun (tickets: from £57.50); Foo Fighters, Tue 25 June (tickets: from £75 – sold out); Billy Joel, Fri 9 Aug (tickets: from £84.50).

Info: here

Live outdoor music in Llangollen this summer

LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD

A cornerstone in global music and culture since 1947, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is an annual international festival celebrating music, song and dance. Open to competitors worldwide, the Eisteddfod promotes international harmony and goodwill amongst those who take part and enjoy art. From its inaugural event, which saw participation from 33 choirs across seven countries, to present day which sees a number of world-famous acts descend on north Wales, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is still a highly anticipated, respected event.

Highlighting the 2024 rundown of concerts, multi-million-selling recording artist Bryan Adams will be one of many artists headlining Llangollen throughout the summer months. Further down the line, the likes of Madness, Jess Glynne, Suede and the Manic Street Preachers will be in attendance.

Bryan Adams, Tue 18 June (tickets: £62.50); Simple Minds, Wed 19 June (tickets: £52.50); Paloma Faith, Fri 21 June (tickets: £52.50); Kaiser Chiefs, Sat 29 June (tickets: £52.50), Tom Jones, Tue 2 July (tickets: from £78), Katherine Jenkins, Sun 7 July (tickets: from £57.50), Nile Rodgers & Chic, Sun 11 July (tickets: £55).

Info: international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Live outdoor music in Wales this summer: Chepstow

CHEPSTOW RACECOURSE: SHANIA TWAIN, TOM JONES, HOZIER

A small town with big ideas: Chepstow hosts a variety of well-known acts this July including Grammy-winning superstar Shania Twain, Welsh legend Tom Jones and Irish blues and folk artist Hozier. 

Shania Twain, Fri 5 July (tickets: £75); Tom Jones, Sat 6 July (tickets: £57.50); Hozier, Tue 9 July (tickets: £45).

Info: here

Live outdoor music in Wales this summer: Swansea

SWANSEA.COM STADIUM: TAKE THAT, OLLY MURS

This, to quote Take That frontman and vineyard enthusiast Gary Barlow, is my idea of a very nice day out. Indeed, he, Mark Owen and Howard Donald will be bringing This Life On Tour to Swansea City’s hallowed turf, joined by special guest and Pringle prankster Olly Murs.

Swansea.com Stadium, Sat 6 June.

Tickets: £60-£115/£225 VIP. Info: here

SINGLETON PARK: JAMES ARTHUR

Following his Bitter Sweet Love world tour, which touched down at Utilita Arena Cardiff in March of this year, and a recent collaboration with Kelly Clarkson on single From The Jump, James Arthur will continue on to Swansea’s Singleton Park for an al fresco concert.

Singleton Park, Swansea, Thurs 18 July.

Tickets: £48.50. Info: here

Live outdoor music in Wales this summer: Welsh language

Following the success of Gŵyl Tawe’s 2023 event, the National Waterfront Museum will this year be hosting Welsh-language acts including N’famady Kouyaté and HMS Morris. 

National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, Sat 8 June.

Admission: FREE. Info: here

Welsh-language music festival Tafwyl returns to Cardiff city centre – now in Bute Park – featuring Al Lewis, Eden, Fleur De Lys, Rio 18 and Mali Hâf.

Bute Park, Cardiff, Fri 12-Sun 14 July.

Admission: FREE. Info: tafwyl.org

words EMMA WAY / JOSHUA WILLIAMS / NOEL GARDNER