Event guide: Tom Jones, Sepultura, Donal Ryan and more in the week ahead

Ireland’s cultural calendar for the week of August 8th to 14th offers a rich spectrum of events that span multiple disciplines, pairing venerable icons with cutting-edge artists. From the enduring stage presence of Tom Jones at 86 to the final European metal show of Sepultura’s farewell tour, audiences are invited into a dynamic celebration of music, literature, and visual art.

Tom Jones, whose career has spanned more than six decades, continues to captivate audiences with a blend of his classic hits and explorations into rawer, blues-inflected material. Since 2010, Jones has shifted toward a stripped-back sound reminiscent of Johnny Cash’s later work, incorporating intimate, gritty performances alongside the fan favorites that defined his legacy. His upcoming shows promise a juxtaposition of swagger and soulful reflection, underscoring a remarkable vitality rarely seen at his age.

In a distinct musical vein, the Brazilian-American metal band Sepultura headlines a high-energy event that effectively serves as a compact metal festival. Their Dublin performance marks the final European date of their Celebrating Life Through Death tour, signaling the end of an era for the influential group. The lineup also includes notable acts such as US hardcore band Biohazard, Sweden’s death metal ensemble Bloodbath, thrash metal veterans Sacred Reich from the US, and Crypta, an all-female death metal band from Brazil. Fans can expect a loud, respectful farewell to one of metal’s enduring forces.

Emerging from a vastly different background, Japanese-Australian artist Joji makes his Irish debut as part of his Solaris global arena tour. Initially known for his online persona blending comedy and shock value, Joji has transformed into a critically acclaimed musician whose downtempo, melancholic soundscapes have drawn comparisons to Radiohead, James Blake, and The xx. His minimalistic yet emotive approach, paired with support from US rapper Tommy Richman, adds an intimate counterpoint to the week’s more bombastic offerings.

Jazz aficionados will welcome the return of Wynton Marsalis to Dublin, with two highly anticipated concerts scheduled. As a trumpeter, composer, and long-serving head of jazz at New York’s Lincoln Center, Marsalis has been a crucial figure in elevating jazz worldwide. With his impending resignation from the Lincoln Center role next year, these performances may represent one of the final chances to experience Marsalis’s orchestral leadership on Irish soil.

The week also features Ireland’s only vegan festival, a three-day family-friendly and environmentally conscious gathering. This event integrates music with talks and workshops led by figures such as the rewilding advocate Randal Plunkett and zoologist Jordi Casamitjana. Musical contributions include performances by Clare Sands, a fiddle player and singer from Cork, and the UK folk group Mobius Loop, emphasizing a holistic celebration of culture, nature, and ethical living.

Traditional and folk music enthusiasts are presented with a carefully curated series at one of Ireland’s premier venues. Highlights include performances by Gráda, an Irish-New Zealand quintet; concertina player Caroline Keane; the experimental trad group Rattling Ark; singer-songwriter Emma Langford; and The Ocelots, a sibling band based in Germany. This lineup underscores a commitment to evolving folk traditions and cross-cultural collaboration.

Visual art receives attention through The Shared Studio exhibition at Butler Gallery, showcasing the estates of Tony O’Malley, a native of Kilkenny, and his late wife, Montreal-born artist Jane Harris. The exhibition reconstructs their shared creative environment, featuring personal workspaces and a near-completed tapestry by Jane, highlighting how their relationship influenced their artistic output. A panel discussion will further explore their intertwined careers and legacy.

Literary pursuits are not overlooked as Donal Ryan prepares to launch his latest novel, Where Are the Kings. Following his Orwell Prize-winning work Heart Be at Peace, Ryan will engage in a public conversation about his new book’s themes, followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. Details about the narrative remain limited ahead of the release.

Rounding out the week is Féile Na Gréine, a volunteer-led festival in Limerick spotlighting over 40 experimental and emerging music acts. With a broad and eclectic lineup including Rún, Shark School, Stella and the Dreaming, and more, the festival maintains a DIY ethos that champions accessibility and innovation in Ireland’s underground music scene.

This array of events illustrates the vibrant cultural mosaic active in Ireland this August, where legacy and innovation coexist across artistic disciplines, inviting audiences to engage with a spectrum of creative expressions.