The RTÉ Concert Orchestra will bring the timeless music of The Beach Boys to audiences in Dublin and Limerick this June with a spectacular orchestral celebration marking 60 years since the release of their landmark album Pet Sounds. The programme will be performed at University Concert Hall, Limerick on Saturday, 20 June as part of the Limerick Summer Proms, before travelling to the National Concert Hall, Dublin on Sunday, 21 June.
Conducted by Richard Balcombe, the concerts will feature acclaimed vocalists Patrick Smyth, Stuart Matthew Price, Graham Bickley, Jon Boydon and Steve Trowell performing alongside the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
At the heart of the programme is a complete performance of Pet Sounds, the pioneering 1966 album widely regarded as one of the greatest records ever made. The concert will also feature some of The Beach Boys’ most beloved songs, including Wouldn’t It Be Nice, You Still Believe in Me and God Only Knows.
With innovative arrangements, instrumentation and production that helped redefine popular music in the 1960s, Pet Sounds remains a landmark recording. The RTÉ Concert Orchestra reimagines these iconic songs with full orchestral power, bringing fresh colour and energy to a catalogue that has captivated generations of listeners.
Richard Balcombe, Conductor for this weekend’s concerts said: “Brian Wilson’s 1966 Pet Sounds album can truly be called momentous – it changed the face of pop music for ever. Wilson went from writing standard Rock & Roll West Coast Surfing songs to music of incredible complexity, rarified harmonic structures and deeply emotional lyrics. A true genius. And in the second half we will play some of the most popular hits of the Beach Boys – hopefully you’ll all be up singing along! It’ll be a night to remember!”
A Celebration of The Beach Boys with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra takes place at 7.30pm on Saturday, 20 June 2026 at University Concert Hall, Limerick, and at 7.30pm on Sunday, 21 June 2026 at the National Concert Hall, Dublin.
ENDS
Caoilinn Putti | RTÉ Communications Lead
