Noah Kahan: The Talk of the (Listening) Party
Lucky for us, Noah Kahan has an affinity for ‘going far’, as far as the Emerald Isle. And if you have tickets for the upcoming Dublin 3Arena Noah Kahan show on November 19th, 21st and 22nd, 2026, there’s no need to wait to gather with your fellow Busyheads and yell out the gut-wrenching poetry by Noah Kahan. P.S. Pre-sale for tours went on sale on April 15th, 2026, so check the website for your specific region!
Contrary to the title of his upcoming album “The Great Divide”, Noah Kahan is never too far from your ears. You’ve been hearing right! Listening parties are an open-invite to all Busyheads far and near Dublin city. Set to start on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, you’ll get to hear an early and exclusive insight to his newest album. Set to release April 24th, you’ll be humming the bittersweet tunes for the next three days after.
Of course, with many listening parties, there’s expected to be tons of hidden goodies to prepare for the upcoming album. With free posters, postcards, and potential raffles, it will be an event that is as rewarding in both the music and the freebies. And while the tickets themselves will be free, many places will require an online booking to manage space, so don’t be late!
Golden Discs are just a Luas ride away from town, in their Dundrum Town Centre store. For this specific venue, the event is on April 23rd, at 6pm, where their website hints at exclusive merch giveaways to be won!
Listening parties seem to run on a ‘until late’ basis as record stores in and around Dublin are booked and busy with listening parties for the newest albums hitting the music scene. From listening to drawing near a community of people who share your love of a genre, artist, or album. Listening parties came in all shapes and forms, from the communal radio drawing crowds into an ‘unofficial’ listening party in the early 20th century. The high prices of physical records made communal radio broadcasts a cultural tool for neighborhoods and a key cultural piece of society at the time.
While records nowadays are luckily way more affordable, the core of these listening parties was more about the shared emotional experience rather than saving a buck. In the late 1990s, the concept of fandoms arose (literally), as the online fan clubs and radio-control started to swarm the music scene. With fandoms even controlling the premiering of tracks, making sure college radio stations were the first to premier their idol's newest song or album ahead of its mainstream exposure. And this suited many records labels who knew their audience: college students at DJ run parties. How could you not buy the physical record so you relive the frat party you attended in your first semester of college?
But today’s listening parties have broadened in their qualifications to be considered a listening party. With big artists hosting ‘listening parties’ to a concert level, selling out massive arenas and venues that are concerts, only without the live performance of course.
But if you’re not ready for the party to end, Kneecap is another noteworthy listening party to add to your calendar. Their newest album Fenian, will be hosted by Spindizzy Records on South Great George’s Street, Dublin on April 27. Beginning at 5:45 pm in the evening, the Album playback starts at 6 pm on the dot. This event is again, free, but pre-booking a slot on the Spindizzy events page is required.
As with staples for most listening parties, there will be Fenian-themed totebags, matchbooks, sticker packs, and zine. And of course, there will be pre-ordering opportunities for the vinyl that officially releases May 1st, 2026. Any orders made, will be shipped or available for collection on the release date!
Need frequent venue spots for listening parties when you randomly want to scratch that itch?
Whelan’s is known for hosting their listening parties regularly at the Whelan’s Parlour Bar. Hosting events in the future much like their recent Station to Station Bowie party that took place February 27th. Whelan’s is at the core of the Dublin music scene, known for their welcoming of new and upcoming bands and artists from the local to international level.
The Big Romance, at the heart of the city in Dublin 1, just off O’Connell Street is a pocket of musical ambiance. Spotted by their big neon pink heart at the window, they are a must for jazz lovers and cocktail connoisseurs alike. They are known for hosting classic album listens, with their upcoming “The Prodigy” hosted later in July.
Finally, make your way to Fidelity Bar, in Smithfield Dublin 7, known for their independent and intimate listening parties. You can expect a focus on electronic listening parties that are sure to have you getting round after round as you dance the night away.
Written By: Sophia Arceo
Edited By: Kirsten Baldwin
