Live Music in Cardiff Castle

Thursday 11 June 2026

Ibiza Classics is a spectacular live show created by DJ and broadcaster Pete Tong, alongside conductor Jules Buckley and The Essential Orchestra. The performance reimagines iconic dance anthems, blending euphoric beats, strings, and brass to create a truly unforgettable experience. Expect reworked versions of classics like “Insomnia,” “You Got The Love,” “9PM (Till I Come),” and “Café Del Mar.” 

Friday 12 June 2026

Mika (born Michael Holbrook Penniman Jr.) is a British-Lebanese pop singer-songwriter known for his flamboyant glam-pop style and anthemic hits like “Grace Kelly” and “Love Today”. He first broke into the mainstream in 2007 with his debut album, Life in Cartoon Motion, which sold over 8 million copies worldwide. Mika is indeed set to perform in Cardiff as part of the annual Pride Cymru celebrations.

Saturday 19 June 2026

American singer-songwriter Ethel Cain is set to bring her acclaimed Willoughby Tucker Forever tour to Cardiff Castle, adding new UK and European dates to her already sold-out world tour. Her latest album, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, lauded by NME, The Guardian, and The New York Times, builds on the haunting mythology she first introduced in her 2022 breakthrough Preacher’s Daughter, cementing her place as one of the most captivating new voices in contemporary music.

Monday 22 June 2026

Garbage and Skunk Anansie are set to bring their unmistakable energy to the iconic Cardiff Castle. The historic setting, paired with two legendary alternative rock bands, promises an unforgettable night filled with powerhouse vocals, electric performances, and a hit-packed setlist.

Garbage became known for their innovative fusion of rock, electronica, grunge, and pop, creating a dark yet polished sound that stood out in the 1990s music scene. You can expect hits like Stupid Girl and Only Happy When It Rains. Whilst Skunk Anansie broke through with explosive hits like Weak, Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good) and Charity.

Thursday 25 June 2026

McFly will bring pure pop-rock nostalgia to Cardiff Castle, filling the iconic courtyard with an electric atmosphere from the moment they hit the stage. McFly have been on the UK pop scene now for 22 years, and fans will see them perform a back catalogue of hits from Five Colours In Her Hair to Star Girl, and All About You to Obviously.

Joining McFLY at Cardiff Castle will be Scottish alternative rockers Twin Atlantic, the hitmakers behind Heart and Soul and Brothers and Sisters.

Saturday 27 June 2026

American rock band Alter Bridge will launch a new festival in 2026 called The Blackbird Festival. They will be joined by a host of other rock artists. 

Formed in 2004 by former members of the band Creed. Alter Bridge known for blending hard rock, alternative metal, and melodic elements, earning a reputation for powerful guitar work and soaring vocals. Some of their most famous songs include Blackbird, Metalingus, Open Your Eyes and Addicted to Pain. 

Tuesday 30 June 2026

Expect a full-scale pop spectacle from one of the biggest-selling artists in history. Katy Perry is a hugely successful American pop star known for her catchy songs, including Firework, Roar and Teenage Dream. She’s known for her colourful, theatrical style and energetic performances.

Saturday 4 July 2026

Bowling for Soup are a high-energy American pop-punk band, formed in Wichita Falls, Texas in 1994. They’re best known for catchy, humorous anthems like “1985”, “Girl All the Bad Guys Want”, “High School Never Ends”, and “Punk Rock 101.” Their sound combines melodic punk with power pop and witty, self-aware lyrics — often nostalgic or tongue-in-cheek.-

This summer, they’re playing Cardiff Castle on 4 July 2026, as part of their “Bowl My Bones” UK tour alongside Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls.

Thursday 9 July 2026

Billy Ocean (born Leslie Sebastian Charles, 1950) is a Trinidadian-British singer-songwriter, famous especially during the 1970s and 1980s for blending pop, R&B and soulful ballads. Among his biggest hits are “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)” - which won him a Grammy - “Love Really Hurts Without You”, “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going”, “Suddenly” and “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car.”

He'll be supported by Marti Pellow, a Scottish singer, songwriter and actor from Clydebank. He became famous as the lead singer of the band Wet Wet Wet in the early 1980s. After leaving Wet Wet Wet in 1999, Pellow has also had a successful solo career and worked in musical theatre on both the West End and Broadway.

Friday 10 July 2026

Bastille are an acclaimed English indie-pop band formed in London in 2010, fronted by lead singer Dan Smith alongside Kyle Simmons, Will Farquarson, and Chris “Woody” Wood. They rose to worldwide fame with their debut album, Bad Blood (2013), which featured hits such as “Pompeii” and “Flaws.” Their sound blends cinematic, synth-pop, and alternative rock elements, drawing on deeply emotional songwriting. 

In July 2023, Bastille headlined the DEPOT in the Castle festival at Cardiff Castle, delivering a high-energy set that included fan favourites such as “Good Grief,” “Laura Palmer,” “Happier,” and closing with anthemic “Pompeii,” complete with fireworks lighting up the castle’s Norman keep. 

Saturday 11 July 2026 

David Gray is a British singer-songwriter born in 1968, celebrated for his emotionally charged, folktronica style. He rose to prominence with his breakthrough album White Ladder (1998), home to signature tracks like "Babylon", "Please Forgive Me", "This Year's Love", and "Sail Away" - songs that remain fan favourites and chart staples. 

Thursday 16 July 2026

Richard Ashcroft is a seminal English singer-songwriter, best known as the former frontman of The Verve and one of the defining voices of Britpop. After The Verve split, his solo career flourished, producing several top-charting albums, including Alone with Everybody and Keys to the World. His songwriting is deeply emotional, blending alternative rock with neo-psychedelic textures. 

Ashcroft supported Oasis at the Principality Stadium in July 2025, where he performed classics like “Sonnet,” “The Drugs Don’t Work,” “Lucky Man,” and closed with “Bitter Sweet Symphony.”

Friday 24 July 2026

Self Esteem, the stage name of British singer-songwriter Rebecca Lucy Taylor, is known for her bold, honest, and feminist lyrics that explore self-worth, relationships, and modern womanhood. With critically acclaimed albums like Compliments Please and Prioritise Pleasure, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize, she has established herself as a unique voice in contemporary music. Her energetic live performances blend pop, punk, and electronic sounds with theatrical flair, making every show an empowering and unforgettable experience. 

Saturday 25 July 2026 

DEPOT in the Castle is one of Cardiff’s biggest summer music festivals. It’s a day-long, open-air festival held in the grounds of Cardiff Castle, combining live music from major headline acts and rising stars with a fun, festival-style atmosphere. Alongside the music, you’ll usually find street food stalls, bars, and family-friendly entertainment.

Friday 31 July 2026

Mike Skinner and his band are set to perform the iconic album in its entirety, just as it was originally intended - with era-defining tracks like Dry Your Eyes, Fit But You Know It and Blinded by the Lights. This is a rare opportunity to experience one of the most influential British albums of the 2000s, played from start to finish, in a spectacular open-air setting.

Saturday 1 August 2026

Cardiff is about to get a double hit of punk-fuelled adrenaline with the Sex Pistols and Frank Turner rolling into town. The Sex Pistols, the fire-starting godfathers of UK punk, carved their name into music history with snarling anthems like “Anarchy in the U.K.”, “God Save the Queen”, and “Pretty Vacant.” They shook Britain to its boots back in the late ’70s, and their legacy still crackles like feedback today.

Frank Turner, meanwhile, brings his own brand of folk-punk storytelling - raw, urgent, and full of heart. He’s known for sing-along staples like “I Still Believe,” “Recovery,” and “Photosynthesis,” turning every stage into something between a pub lock-in and a revolution. Together, they promise a night in Cardiff that’s all roar, riffs, and rebel energy.

Sunday 2 August 2026

Indie favourites Two Door Cinema Club are set to take over Cardiff Castle, celebrating the 15th anniversary of their debut album Tourist History. Fans can look forward to an unforgettable open-air show packed with festival energy, featuring iconic hits like What You Know, Undercover Martyn, and Something Good Can Work in the heart of the Welsh capital.

Saturday 15 August 2026

Get ready, Cardiff! Alternative rock legends Jimmy Eat World are bringing their iconic sound to Cardiff Castle this year. Known for hits like "The Middle" and "Pain," the band has captivated audiences for decades with their high-energy performances and emotional lyrics. This is a must-see for fans old and new, as the historic backdrop of Cardiff Castle adds an unforgettable atmosphere to an already epic night. Don’t miss your chance to catch Jimmy Eat World live in one of the city’s most iconic venues!