06/25/2026
Katy Perry â Malahide Castle, Dublin Review
Having seen Katy Perryâs Lifetimes Tour in Belfast twice last year, I didnât need much convincing to make the trip to Malahide Castle. The Belfast show was one of my favourite concerts of 2025, but because Iâd already seen the tour, I wasnât expecting too many surprises this time around.
I couldnât have been more wrong.
Rather than delivering a carbon copy of last yearâs production, Perry returned with a show that felt refreshed and reimagined. From the moment she appeared on stage, she commanded the attention of the crowd and never really let the energy drop. Every section seemed designed to keep the audience engaged, whether through the visuals, choreography or the sheer number of hit songs packed into the set.
What impressed me most was how different the experience felt from Belfast. It would have been easy to rely on familiarity, but this felt like a completely new production. Katy looked fully invested throughout, feeding off the crowdâs enthusiasm and giving a performance that was both polished and genuinely entertaining.
The audience played a huge part in the atmosphere. There were large numbers of young girls attending, many dressed in colourful outfits and singing along to every word. Seeing younger fans experience songs like âTeenage Dreamâ, âCalifornia Gurlsâ and âFireworkâ for the first time was one of the nightâs most enjoyable aspects and showed the lasting appeal of Perryâs catalogue.
The only part of the show where the momentum dipped slightly was during some of the slower songs. While they were well performed, they didnât quite match the impact of the high-energy sections that dominated the evening. The concert was at its best when Perry leaned into the upbeat pop anthems that made her one of the defining artists of the last two decades.
Setlist Highlights
The setlist struck a strong balance between newer material and career-defining hits. Songs including California Gurls, Teenage Dream, Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.), Hot N Cold, Dar, E.T., I Kissed a Girl, Lifetimes, Firework and Roar all received huge reactions from the crowd.
Particularly memorable were Teenage Dream, which turned Malahide Castle into one giant singalong, and Firework, which provided one of the most visually impressive moments of the night. The closing run of songs ensured the concert finished with the same energy it started with.
In many ways, this was the biggest surprise of the year for me. I arrived expecting to enjoy a show I already knew and loved. Instead, Katy Perry delivered a performance that exceeded my expectations and reminded me why I wanted to see the tour again in the first place.
Rating: â
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½ (4.5/5)
âI went to Malahide expecting a repeat of Belfast. I left feeling like Iâd seen an entirely new show.â
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