Waterford's Hottest Festival Announces Full Line-Up

After a massive debut as a one-day event last year, Heatwave returns to the RSC this summer, doubling down with an expanded two-day lineup on Friday, July 24th, and Saturday, July 25th. The move to a two-day format reflects the festival's growth into a not-to-be-missed event in the regions Summer calendar. Produced in association with MPI Artists and 360 Events, Heatwave is aslo keeping its all-ages policy, making it one of the few large-scale stadium events in the region accessible to fans of all generations.

The opening night focuses on a massive, high-energy atmosphere with local duo SX2 opening the festival, followed by a lineup of rising stars and heavy-hitting, international-standard tribute productions. Legendary will bring their polished Bon Jovi show to the RSC, before the highly acclaimed Qween takes the headline slot. Qween have built a reputation for delivering a theatrical, stadium-level experience that goes well beyond the standard tribute circuit.

If the first night wasnt enough, Saturday continues to host more incredible acts. Broadcaster and DJ Steven Cooper kicks off proceedings, setting the stage for what is essentially a victory lap for two of the region's biggest exports. Dave Lofts returns to the Heatwave stage after a stunning performance last year. Following a string of massive shows, including selling out The Academy in Dublin and Waterford’s own Theatre Royal, Lofts has transitioned from a local secret to a legitimate national draw. Closing out the festival is of course Moncrieff. His rise has been nothing short of explosive, dominating the airwaves and selling out headline tours across Europe and the UK. Bringing a headliner of his caliber back to Waterford is a major coup for the festival and a fitting way to close out the weekend.

The expansion to two days hasn't slowed down the demand for tickets. Pre-sale tickets were reportedly exhausted almost immediately, and general sale tickets are moving at a similar pace. With a mix of local pride, world-class tribute acts, and two of the most successful names in modern Irish music headlining Saturday, Heatwave 2026 is positioning itself as the defining music event of the Waterford summer.