Bruce Springsteen, Oasis, Queen, David Bowie, U2, and Madonna.
These are just a few of the illustrious performers who have performed at Slane Castle in the Republic of Ireland.
As headliner Harry Styles prepares to entertain an audience of 80,000 people for his sold-out show on Saturday, another performer will leave their mark on Slane's 40-year rock 'n' roll history.
It will be the band's first performance at County Meath's Boyne Valley estate since the year before the Covid-19 pandemic started.
Due to its elite line-ups, Slane has come to symbolize the pinnacle of an Irish musician's career and is regarded as a holy place by many music fans.
In 1981, Thin Lizzy was the first headlining act, with Hazel O'Connor, Sweet Savage, and an up-and-coming U2 providing support.
The cost of a ticket back then was only the equivalent of €10 (or £8.259).
At their first concert in Slane, Thin Lizzy entertained about 20,000 people.
In light of the tense political climate on the island, Alex Conyngham, whose father founded the gig series, said it was a big risk to take.
The distance from the Irish border to Slane Castle is just over 30 miles. The Troubles were raging in Northern Ireland at the time.
The security risks were unquestionably significant, but dad always believed in the ability of music to unite people, so they decided to take the chance and put the show on, he told BBC News NI.
The concert was a smashing success because 20,000 fans traveled to the village one hour north of Dublin.
That gave Lord Mountcharles the confidence to approach the Rolling Stones for the following performance, according to his son.
The estate along the River Boyne can accommodate up to 80,000 people.
The achievement "really put Slane on the international stage," according to Conyngham, "wasn't easy but he managed to get them.".
"The remainder is largely history. ".
Since 2001, the castle has hosted concerts twice a year, with the heavy metal band Metallica being the most recent to perform there in 2019.
In their entire careers, musicians are lucky to play Slane just once, but Downpatrick band Ash has frequently opened for well-known performers there.
The three-piece's debut performance in 2001 took place in "bizarre circumstances," according to drummer Rick McMurray, who spoke to BBC News NI.
When the call came offering a last-minute support spot for U2 after the Foo Fighters canceled, they were on tour in support of their third album, Free All Angels.
He said, "We were abruptly thrown into the deep end.
It was a very special day because Ireland had just earned a spot in the World Cup in 2002, and they had watched the qualifying matches on the screens before our game.
Rick McMurray of Ash has pleasant memories of performing at Slane.
"It was close and still undoubtedly one of the best environments we've ever played in.
"We provided the music for Ireland's World Cup qualification, which had just occurred. ".
In order to pay back the Foo Fighters for that gig, the band supported Dave Grohl and the rest of the band 14 years later.
It was amazing to see the hill completely covered by devoted supporters, continued McMurray.
There will be fans traveling to Slane from all over, and for good reason.
The place is legendary, according to McMurray.
Physically, given its design, it's not a bad place to watch a concert from because despite the large crowd, everyone has a great view of the show. ".
The audience has a fantastic vantage point from where the stage is located at the base of a hill.
Some people may find it overwhelming to imagine playing in front of 80,000 people, but Slane's unusual elevation makes the crowd feel closer.
Anywhere on Slane's hill, spectators can enjoy a fantastic view.
When you're performing on a bigger stage with a flat audience in front of you, it's common for the front barrier to feel far away.
But having them raised in front of your face definitely creates a more personal and unique atmosphere. ".
The site's custodian, Conyngham, concurs.
Slane is a lovely, natural amphitheatre, not a stadium, he declared.
"You're in this incredible, natural setting, and it almost feels spiritual. ".
It's a "magical experience," he continued, when the enthusiasm of Irish people and artists for Slane combine.
When Styles' Slane show was first announced in August of last year, purists complained that he wasn't deserving of the spot.
However, Conyngham noted that the festival's organizers have consistently attempted to push the envelope by booking pop stars like Madonna and Robbie Williams.
Fans of Styles are known for their vibrant concert attire, which often includes feather boas and cowboy hats.
He stated that Harry Styles is currently among the most popular musicians in the world.
"He's a great showman, and I think he'll bring something unique to Slane.
"I hope the Harry Styles show will go down in history as one of the great Slane shows, along with many others. ".
The Grammy Award-winning musician's Love On Tour will come to an end at Slane Castle.
With seven legs covering Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australasia, it started in September 2021.
Styles' global Love On Tour included two trips through Europe and North America.
100,000 spectators are anticipated to attend the 22-month-long saga's conclusion in Italy's RCF Arena next month.
DJ Annie Mac, Styles' own guitarist Mitch Rowland, Dublin band Inhaler—featuring U2 frontman Bono's son—and Isle of Wight duo Wet Leg round out the lineup for Saturday's performance at Slane.
All roads into Slane will be closed until 02:00 local time on Sunday as part of a significant policing strategy, according to the Garda (Irish police), which will be in effect during the concert weekend.
The official event page, external, provides more details about Harry Styles at Slane Castle, including information on how to get there.
