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25th Mar 2022

Slane gigs off this year as “world class” act promised instead for 2023

Dave Hanratty

Slane concert 2022

The “hot money” is on Coldplay or AC/DC but who knows?

A planned double-concert spectacular originally scheduled for Slane Castle this summer is off, as the famous festival looks to 2023 instead.

A notably more sporadic event than annual contemporaries such as Electric Picnic or Longitude, Slane hasn’t been a fixture on the calendar since Metallica’s headline appointment in 2019.

Of course, the ongoing pandemic and the initial wholesale cancellation of concerts associated with it would have scuppered any planned day out at Slane.

Word on the grapevine was that the concert – or, in fact, concerts – was coming back in a big way in 2022.

However, it would appear that plans have indeed changed.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror on Friday, Slane supremo Lord Henry Mountcharles moved to confirm the news.

“I am more or less certain there will be no concert in Slane this year,” he explained.

“We had been hoping for a double gig but it won’t be happening unless some act we want becomes available at the 11th hour.”

It remains unclear if next year’s event will also arrive in the form of two concerts, but Mountcharles has assured people that a “world class” headliner has been nailed down well in advance.

“We have booked an act for 2023 and the concert will probably happen early in the year – May or June,” he said.

“The family all sat around and agreed to this and we are delighted with the act we have chosen.”

According to the Mirror, the “hot money” is on Coldplay – who have yet to headline the famous venue and would presumably sell it out in a matter of seconds – or possibly AC/DC.

Pressed further, Mountcharles played the savvy promoter card and refused to provide specific hints as to just who he has lined up, though he did insist fans will be “thrilled” when it’s finally announced.

No pressure, then.

Featured Image via Brian Meade / Photocall Ireland

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