With Body & Soul operating a strictly over 20s policy down in Ballinlough Castle this weekend and Billy Joel catering to a more . . . mature audience in the Aviva Stadium, Summer in the City steps up, giving the yoof of Ireland something to do in the RDS instead.
With Athy group Picture This and the EDM-lite duo Chainsmokers headlining on June 23rd and June 24th respectively, the same weekend that the Junior and Leaving Cert students finally taste freedom, there will be a very set target audience, but with The Killers taking charge on June 26th.
A mixed bag, these gigs range in style from maudlin soft rock to full on stadium rock, with some inoffensive, chart-driven dance music in the middle. And Rita Ora. She’s going to be in the RDS on Sunday, supporting The Chainsmokers. Fingers crossed that 2018 is finally the year that she plays the pop star we’ve been promised for so long.
There’s plenty going on in Dublin this weekend, so to save yourself any stress, plan your route to and from the venues in advance. Taxis may be short in demand, especially after the concerts end, so add in some extra time for your journey home.
With good weather promised, strolling to and from the concerts may be your best bet, plus these gigs are expected to fill up quite quickly so if you’re on the fence about going, here’s everything you need to know before you head to the RDS for the Summer in the City gigs.
Are tickets still available?
Tickets for all Summer in the City events are still available to buy on Ticketmaster, with tickets for Picture This on June 23rd and the Chainsmokers on June 24th costing between €49.90 and €54.90 and tickets for The Killers on June 26th costing €69.50 - €79.50.<
What are the stage times?
Picture This, Saturday June 23rd 5.00pm - Doors open 5.00pm - Ryan McMullan 5.50pm - Little Hours 6.45pm - JP Cooper 8.00pm - Clean Bandit 9.00pm - Picture This
The Chainsmokers, Sunday June 24th 4.00pm - Doors open 4.00pm - Alex & Echoes 4.45pm - Matoma 5.45pm - Chasing Abbey 6.45pm - John Gibbons 7.45pm - Rita Ora 9.00pm - The Chainsmokers
The Killers, Tuesday June 26th 5.30pm - Doors open 7.00pm - Franz Ferdinand 8.30pm - The Killers
How do I get there . . . and home?
Promoters advise that gig-goers use public transport as traffic will be busy in the surrounding areas. There are a limited number of parking spaces in the Simmonscourt Extension Car Park which is located on Simmonscourt Road and pay-and-display street parking is also available. These spaces will likely fill up quite quickly.
Take note of the colour coded entry routes outlined on your tickets:
Blue ticket – entry via Anglesea Road Yellow ticket – entry via Merrion Road Red ticket – entry via Simmonscourt Road
Attendees are asked to exit the venue via the colour coded entry route through which you entered unless directed otherwise by gardaí and stewards. Gardaí and stewards will be available to assist in all areas.
The following Dublin Bus routes serve the general RDS areas:
Ballsbridge: 4, 5, 7, 7a, 7n, 8, 18, 27x, 45, 47
Donnybrook: 7b, 7d, 32x, 39b, 41x, 46a, 46e, 77x, 84x, 116, 118, 145
Sandymount: 2, 3, 18
Irish Rail will run additional services and the closest Dart station to the RDS is Sandymount Station. At the end of the concert, Sandymount Station will be closed and patrons will be directed to Lansdowne Road Station.
Gig-goers are reminded that the RDS is located in a residential area and are asked to behave in an appropriate manner when going to and departing the venue.
Traffic restrictions
All roads around the RDS will remain open to traffic. Simmonscourt Road and/or Anglesea Road may be closed for a short period before the concert if the volume of pedestrian traffic is too high for vehicles to pass safely. After the concert, traffic will be held on Merrion Road and Anglesea Road to clear the initial phase of pedestrian traffic.
Simmonscourt Road will close from 30/45 minutes prior to the end of the concert for about an hour to facilitate the exit of vehicles from the main car park.
During road closures, access will be maintained for residents in so far as it is safe to do so, on production of valid driving licence and/or proof of address.
Parking
Garda no-parking cones will be placed at the following locations to prevent parking:
Simmonscourt Road (both sides)
Anglesea Road ( both sides from Merrion Road to No. 53 Anglesea Road and left hand side only from there to Donnybrook Church.
Merrion Road (between Simmonscourt Road and Anglesea Road)
Sandymount Avenue (left side from Merrion Road to Level Crossing
Ailesbury Drive (right side from Anglesea Road to Ailesbury Grove)
Ailesbury Grove (left side from Ailesbury Drive to Ailesbury Road)
Simmonscourt Avenue
What about disabled access facilities?
There will be designated viewing platforms for wheelchair users. If you have any access requests or queries, contact the promoter in advance of the concert on access@mcd.ie.
You can book accessible tickets by phoning Ticketmaster on these numbers: Republic of Ireland: 0818 903001, UK: 0844 277 9964 and international customers: 00 353 818 903001. If you require accessible parking, or need any more information, contact access@mcd.ie. Accessible Parking must be booked in advance of the event.
Security
Gig goers are advised to not bring a bag unless it absolutely necessary. Anyone without a bag will be fast-tracked through security. If you are bringing a bag it must be smaller A4 size; these bags will be searched.
Banned items include umbrellas, large-lens professional cameras or any form of video recorder, flag poles, selfie sticks, bottles, glasses, cans, flasks and inflatable or folding chairs.
Do I need to bring ID?
Yes. ID will be required at all bars before purchasing alcohol and strict age monitoring will be in place at all entrances.
Acceptable forms of ID include passport, drivers license and the Garda Age Card. Under 14s will not allowed on the pitch either accompanied or unaccompanied by an adult and all under 16s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 25 at all times.
Will food and drink be available?
There will be a number of food stalls and bars inside the venue.
What will the weather be like?
Temperatures are set to hit 19 degrees on June 23rd and 23 degrees on June 24th. This good spell will continue for The Killers on June 26th, with temperatures reaching 22 degrees.
