Paul Heaton announced as the first act to play Cork's Live at the Marquee next summer 

Paul Heaton will kick off the 2027 Live at the Marquee programme in Cork, with the former Beautiful South and Housemartins frontman announced today as the venue’s first act for next summer.

Heaton will perform at the Cork venue on Saturday, July 3, 2027, as part of his summer tour with his band and special guest singer Rianne Downey.

The show will also feature The Lightning Seeds as special guests.

The announcement by Aiken Promotions comes as Heaton celebrates his first-ever solo number one album with Jenius, which was released earlier this year.

Tickets for the Cork show go on sale at 9.30am on Friday, September 4, through Ticketmaster Ireland.

Heaton will also play 3Arena in Dublin on June 5, 2027, following a Belfast date on June 4. The Lightning Seeds will provide support for both Irish shows.

The MCD presale for these Irish dates begins at 9.30am on Thursday, September 3, with tickets available through MCD.

Jenius is Heaton’s 23rd album and was produced by Lightning Seeds frontman Ian Broudie at Blueprint Studios in Manchester.

The album contains 15 original songs performed by Heaton and his band, with Downey providing vocals.

It arrives almost 40 years after Heaton’s first album with The Housemartins, London 0 Hull 4.

His new songs continue themes that have run through his career, including love and loneliness, pubs, community, football and the state of the nation.

Heaton’s live set will also draw on his extensive back catalogue, including songs from The Beautiful South and The Housemartins.

The Cork concert is the first announced show for Live at the Marquee 2027.