The Trinity Summer Series returns to College Park for 2026 with another star studded lineup. This fixture of Dublin’s midsummer has risen rapidly in popularity since its inception almost a decade ago. With Rag’n’Bone Man, Bastille and Kraftwerk among the past headliners of the week-long event, these concerts combine artists of global renown with homegrown talents. This year’s event runs from June 29th to July 5th and offers a diverse range of music, from indie rock and synth-pop to country and folk. Here is a profile of the seven acts who will take to the stage this summer.
James Arthur – June 29th
James Arthur opens the 2026 Summer Series with his raw vocal talent and vulnerable songwriting. Arthur’s deeply emotive style of pop has won acclaim since his cover of Shontelle’s “Impossible”, which debuted at number one in the UK Singles Chart. His 2016 album, Back From the Edge, also topped the charts. His passionate style has stood out on hit songs like “Train Wreck”, while he brings an inimitable energy to his lauded duet with Anne-Marie on “Rewrite the Stars”. The Middlesbrough singer is a dedicated ambassador for mental health and has won plaudits for his openness and honesty in sharing his life experience with listeners. His latest album, Pisces, was released last April, and was praised for its “dreamy and unfiltered” qualities.
Stephen Wilson Jr – June 30th
Stephen Wilson Jr has risen to international fame with his blend of country and Americana music. His poignant and emotional tracks often contain autobiographical aspects, exploring themes of grief and his difficult upbringing in Indiana. His 2025 single “Gary” has surged up the country music charts, inspired by a roadside memorial for a teenager in his home state. The song and Wilson’s wider repertoire honour the blue collar workers on which his community relies. Wilson incorporates some indie and rock elements to his country, creating a unique sound. As a former boxing champion and microbiologist, Wilson has a wealth of life experience to inspire the forthcoming follow up to his 2023 album, søn of dad.
Wet Leg – July 1st
Wet Leg have crafted a distinctive strand of lively indie rock, combining pop and post-punk influences. They released their debut self-titled album in 2022, which debuted at number one in the UK charts. That release propelled them to international stardom, picking up multiple awards at both the Grammys and the BRITs. Regarded as one of Britain’s most unique bands, the Isle of Wight outfit are noted for their wry, irreverent lyricism and infectious hooks. The vocal style of lead singer Rhian Teasdale is as versatile as their musical influences of indie, bubblegum pop and French disco. Their follow-up album, Moisturizer, was released last year and was praised for its expansive, confident and punchy sounds.
Glen Hansard – July 2nd
Glen Hansard has risen to international acclaim since starting out busking on the streets of Dublin at thirteen. Straddling the line between folk and rock, Hansard won an Oscar in 2007 for “Falling Slowly”, a song from the film Once performed with longtime collaborator Markéta Irglová. Having won praise for his work as part of The Frames and The Swell Season, Hansard released his debut solo album in 2012 and saw his 2015 effort, “Didn’t He Ramble”, nominated for a Grammy. Hansard is a talented guitarist, offering raw, intense live performances. He is a tireless advocate for social justice, raising awareness through music for Dublin’s homeless, Ukrainian refugees and older musicians in financial difficulty. Last year, Hansard released Forward, his latest album with Irglová.
Cian Ducrot – July 3rd
Cork singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot was touted as an exciting musical talent from an early age, but worked relentlessly through busking and couch surfing to achieve the stardom he enjoys today. His deeply emotional indie pop has proven extremely popular in Ireland and the UK, peaking with his number two hit, “All For You”, in 2022. A classically trained flautist, Ducrot combines authentic storytelling about his difficult childhood with rich vocals and multi-instrumentalism. His album Victory includes emotional tracks dedicated to his mother and his late best friend, forging an intimate connection with his audience. Last year, Ducrot won a Grammy for co-writing SZA’s song, “Saturn”. Ducrot released his second album, Little Dreaming, last year and won praise for its polished, joyful pop sound.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – July 4th
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) have performed their avant-garde style of electronica and synth-pop for almost fifty years. Formed in 1978, Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys were pioneers of the synth-pop duo format that defined the eighties in British synth. This experimental, unconventional group rose to prominence with the iconic anti-war anthem “Enola Gay” off their 1981 album Architecture & Morality. Their sound ranges from adventurous to surreal, drawing on beautiful melodies, deeply conceptual thematic albums and revolutionary production techniques. Regarded as one of the greatest synth-pop acts of all time, the Merseyside band covers diverse lyrical terrain from war to religion and technology. OMD have maintained popularity into the twenty-first century; 2013’s English Electric was regarded by some critics as their best album to date.
The Kooks – July 5th
The Kooks were the poster boys of a certain era of noughties indie pop in Britain. Drawing on diverse influences from Britpop to post-punk and ska, the band has become famous for their upbeat energy and triumphant, genre-hopping sound. The Kooks received a BRIT award nomination in 2007 for the infectious “She Moves In Her Own Way”, their most successful release to date. The Brighton outfit are noted for their catchy hooks, memorable riffs, and relatable themes. The Kooks released their latest album, Never/Know, in May last year. Inspired by the smooth pop rock sound of the sixties’ countercultural movement, its positive reception demonstrates their impressive longevity compared to many of their 2000s contemporaries.
