GazeFest is back, bigger, dreamier, and louder than ever

Festival News | 2nd Mar, 2026

What started as a rainy-morning idea at a kitchen table has turned into one of the most vital fixtures on Ireland’s alternative calendar. Now in its fourth year, GazeFest has gone from DIY dream to full-blown destination festival, proudly flying the flag for Irish shoegaze and beyond. Powered by the passionate crew at Old Crows Promotions, it’s become the spiritual home for hazy guitars, blown-out fuzz, and melodies that feel like they’re drifting somewhere just out of reach.

And 2026? It’s shaping up to be the biggest one yet.

Two Cities, One Wall of Sound

This year’s fest stretches across two nights and two iconic venues. Things kick off August 28th at Grand Social Ballroom in Dublin before heading north on August 29th to The Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast — a venue that’s become sacred ground for the city’s thriving underground.

It’s a proper island-spanning celebration of shoegaze, dream pop, and everything in between.

Deary Lead the Charge

Headlining both nights are UK dream-pop heavy hitters Deary, who are having a serious moment right now. Freshly signed to legendary indie label Bella Union, they’re gearing up to drop their debut album Birding this April.

Since emerging with their debut single via Sonic Cathedral, the trio have quietly built a reputation as masters of atmosphere — the kind of band that can make a room feel suspended in time. They’ve already shared stages with shoegaze royalty like Slowdive, and their lush, emotionally rich sound feels tailor-made for GazeFest’s immersive vibe.

Dublin: A Carefully Curated Dream

The Dublin date brings a tight, handpicked lineup that perfectly captures the spectrum of modern shoegaze.

Leading the charge alongside Deary is Silk, the solo project of Virgins songwriter Michael Smyth. With his debut mini-album on the way, Silk balances crushing distortion with moments of pure, euphoric lift-off.

Scotland’s Sunstinger return as GazeFest alumni, delivering towering walls of reverb and emotional weight, while Dublin’s own Skyless open the night with their beautifully haunted, dreamlike sound.

Belfast: The All-Dayer That Everyone Talks About

The Belfast edition has become legendary — a 14+ all-dayer that’s already earned essential-status among the city’s gig-goers. This year’s lineup is stacked.

Joining the headliners are rising Asian-Irish shoegazers Touzai, while Dublin’s Cable Boy make their long-awaited Belfast debut after appearances at festivals like Electric Picnic.

International flavour comes courtesy of Resplandor, whose shimmering sound has earned them tour slots alongside icons like The Cure and The Jesus and Mary Chain — making their first ever Irish appearance here feel like a genuine moment.

Local heroes Midnight Housework add a dose of nostalgic guitar magic, while newcomers Ilisium bring raw intensity inspired by bands like Title Fight and Hum.

More Than a Festival — It’s a Community

GazeFest takes its spirit from a phrase coined by Melody Maker — The Scene That Celebrates Itself. That ethos still runs deep here. This isn’t about competition. It’s about community. Bands watching bands. Fans discovering their new favourite noise. Everyone sharing the same beautifully blurred experience.

Don’t Sleep On Tickets

If previous years are anything to go by, tickets won’t hang around long. GazeFest has built something special — not just a festival, but a gathering point for a scene that continues to grow louder, stronger, and dreamier every year.

Grab your tickets, bring your earplugs, and prepare to get lost in the haze.

Tickets for both Dublin and Belfast GazeFest 2026 are available now.