Dublin, Ireland – The Foo Fighters launched a series of surprise, intimate performances across the UK and Ireland last night, beginning with a high-energy show at the Academy in Dublin. The unannounced gigs follow recent sightings of the band in Ireland and arrive ahead of the April 24th release of their new album, “Your Favorite Toy”, a record frontman Dave Grohl has described as packed with “noisy, loud bangers.”
The band initially revealed plans for the smaller shows on Sunday, announcing performances at Dublin’s Academy, London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Wednesday, February 25th, and Manchester’s O2 Ritz on Friday, February 27th. Tickets, priced at £99 each, were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to fans who queued outside each venue starting at noon, with a limit of two tickets per person.
Last night’s Dublin performance saw the Foo Fighters deliver a raucous setlist, opening with the iconic “All My Life.” The band continued with fan favorites including “Times Like These,” “The Pretender,” “My Hero,” and their new single, “Your Favorite Toy,” alongside another recently unveiled track, “Of All People.” They also revisited earlier material, performing songs like “This Is A Call,” “Exhausted,” and “Big Me.” The set culminated with energetic renditions of “Best Of You” and “Everlong.”
The atmosphere at the 850-capacity Academy was electric, with fans taking to social media to express their excitement. One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Foo Fighters in Dublin. Fucking incredible,” although another shared, “The Foo Fighters at @academydublin Dublin. One for the ages. @foofighters.”
Foo Fighters playing ‘Everlong’ tonight in an 850 capacity Dublin Academy 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/BJAj2rlm25
— The Rock Revival (@TheRockRevival_) February 23, 2026
Foo Fighters in Dublin. Fucking incredible. pic.twitter.com/0hjM0Z7oCx
— Cian ☘️🇾🇪 (@Cian_McGivern) February 23, 2026
The Foo Fighters at @academydublin Dublin. One for the ages. @foofighters pic.twitter.com/DDIwc6Luvh
— Philo DelMuerto (@PhiloDelMuerto) February 23, 2026
Following the Dublin show, the band shared a photo on social media of Dave Grohl raising a beer, with the caption “CHEERS DUBLIN!” The performance followed a smaller, more intimate set at St James’ Church in Dublin on Sunday, February 22nd.
The Foo Fighters will continue their intimate tour with a performance in London on Wednesday before concluding the run in Manchester on Friday. The band is also scheduled for a European stadium tour, including two nights at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium at the end of June, followed by a North American stadium tour this summer and an Australian and New Zealand tour planned for late 2026 and early 2027.
The current tour coincides with the release of the Foo Fighters’ 12th studio album, “Your Favorite Toy,” set to drop on April 24th. Grohl has indicated the album features a return to the band’s more energetic sound, describing it as filled with “noisy, loud bangers” reminiscent of their earlier work. A review by NME awarded the single four stars, praising its “unapologetic” energy and shift to a “more thrilling gear.”
The band’s recent activity follows a period of change, with the band adding Ilan Rubin on drums in 2025 following the death of Taylor Hawkins in 2022. The intimate nature of these shows offers fans a unique opportunity to experience the Foo Fighters in a more personal setting as they embark on this new chapter.
The Foo Fighters’ tour continues this week, with fans eagerly anticipating the London and Manchester dates. The band’s upcoming stadium tour promises to bring their high-energy performances to larger audiences across Europe, North America, and Oceania. What comes next for the Foo Fighters remains to be seen, but their recent activity signals a renewed creative energy and a commitment to connecting with fans on multiple levels.
What did you feel of the Foo Fighters’ surprise shows? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
