Other Voices Dingle 2026: First Six Acts Announced for 25th Anniversary
Other Voices is heading back to Dingle this November to celebrate 25 years of music, and the first six acts have now been announced. Taking place from Friday, November 27 to Sunday, November 29, the festival will once again bring some brilliant artists to the small Kerry town for three days of live music, with plenty more still to be revealed.
The Waterboys, Gilla Band and Julia Jacklin Lead First Announcement
The first batch of artists confirmed for the famous St. James' Church includes The Waterboys, Gilla Band, Julia Jacklin, Lambrini Girls, Knats and Brìghde Chaimbeul. It's a pretty varied mix, taking in everything from folk-rock and punk to jazz and traditional Scottish music. That's always been part of the appeal of Other Voices, where you never quite know what you're going to get.
Leading the announcement are The Waterboys, who make a welcome return to St. James' Church. Mike Scott and his band have a long connection with the west of Ireland, with songs like Fisherman's Blues and The Whole of the Moon still sounding as good as ever. Getting to see them perform in a venue as intimate as this should be something special.
Dublin noise-rock outfit Gilla Band are also heading to Dingle, and they'll certainly bring something different to the church. Known for their loud, chaotic live performances and unconventional approach to guitar music, they've built a reputation as one of Ireland's most exciting live bands. It'll be interesting to see how their sound translates to such a small and unusual setting.
Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin will make her St. James' Church debut this year. Known for her sharp lyrics and beautifully understated songs, Jacklin has a knack for writing about relationships and everyday life in a way that feels instantly familiar. Her appearance should be another highlight of the weekend, with The Hardest Thing from her new album The Gem worth checking out beforehand.
Lambrini Girls, Knats and Brìghde Chaimbeul Join the Lineup
There's also plenty of energy coming from Brighton punk duo Lambrini Girls, who have become known for their outspoken lyrics and brilliantly unpredictable live shows. They're loud, funny and not afraid to make a point, so their appearance should be a lively one. Their latest single, Bang Bang Bang, gives you a good idea of what to expect when they arrive in Dingle.
Changing things up again are Newcastle jazz collective Knats, who bring a mix of jazz, funk and groove to the lineup. Built around bass and drums, their music has a loose, infectious feel that should go down well with the Other Voices crowd. If you haven't come across them yet, their performance of Never Gonna Be A Boxer on Later...with Jools Holland is a good place to start.
Rounding out the first announcement is Scottish musician Brìghde Chaimbeul, who comes from the Isle of Skye and plays the Scottish smallpipes. Her music draws heavily on traditional sounds while taking them in some unexpected directions, using repeating melodies and drones to create something quite different. She's another interesting addition to a lineup that already covers a lot of musical ground.
More Other Voices Dingle 2026 Acts Still to Be Announced
Of course, these are just the first six names confirmed for the 25th anniversary celebrations. More artists performing in St. James' Church will be announced over the coming weeks, along with details of the wider festival programme. With Other Voices marking such a big milestone this year, there should be plenty more to look forward to before November rolls around.
For anyone who can't make it to Dingle, performances from St. James' Church will be streamed live through the Other Voices YouTube channel. The recordings will also feature in a special 25th anniversary television series due to air in early 2027, giving music fans another chance to catch some of the performances from the weekend.
As usual, getting inside St. James' Church won't be straightforward, with only a small number of golden tickets available through competitions that will be announced soon. But that's part of what makes Other Voices such a unique event. Twenty-five years on, it's still bringing an incredible mix of artists to one of the most unlikely music venues in Ireland.
Other Voices Dingle 2026 takes place from November 27–29. Keep an eye on the official Other Voices website for further lineup announcements, festival information and details on how to get your hands on those golden tickets.
Photo Credit: Culture Pop!
