5 Reasons Florence Road Are About to Become Your New Favourite Band

They’ve toured with your favourite bands – and they’re exceptional live

Florence Road have come a long way from the intimate Dublin and Wicklow venues they cut their teeth in – including The Sound House, Whelan’s Upstairs, The Grand Social, and the since-closed (but no less legendary) Fish Bowl.

In addition to their upcoming headline tour – which includes a sold-out show at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre on May 27 – you can expect to find the Bray four-piece sharing stages with a who’s who of the music world these days.

Over the past 12 months alone, they've have played acclaimed support slots for major acts like Olivia Rodrigo, in both Hyde Park and Marlay Park; Wolf Alice on their European tour; and Royel Otis in Australia. Next up, the band are heading to North America with The Last Dinner Party, and will support Kings Of Leon at two massive Irish outdoor shows: Belsonic, Belfast on June 29, and Thomond Park in Limerick on July 1.

Florence Road are also part of the star-studded line-up for ‘History in the Making: The Concert’ – a major event at the 3Arena on February 6, kicking off Hot Press's 50th anniversary celebrations...

Florence Road at Eurosonic Huize Maas on January 15th, 2026. Copyright Ben Houdijk

Their sound has been shaped by some epic influences

From their stand-alone 2022 single, ‘Another Seventeen’, to a string of powerful releases last year, including their Fall Back mixtape, Florence Road have made one thing clear – they’re not afraid to push at the boundaries of their songcraft. What they’ve carved out in the process is a sound that’s both polished and playful, blending soul-baring ‘90s indie anthems and ambitious classic rock influences – with a strong contemporary pulse running throughout, as well as a sprinkling of sea-weathered Bray grit.

As a band made up of four individuals, they describe their listening habits as a mix of “everything and anything” – although they tell us that their tastes collide on the holy trinity of “The Cranberries, Fleetwood Mac and Brat.”

They've covered plenty of decades-spanning classics too – including a brilliant version of Phoebe Bridgers' 'Georgia':

They’re Gaeilgeoirs – and they love a bit of trad too

The band – made up of Lily Aron, Emma Brandon, Ailbhe Barry and Hannah Kelly – originally came together during their secondary school days, at Coláiste Ráithín (which used to be located on Florence Road in Bray, hence the name!).

They say the Irish-speaking school imbued in them a real love for the language.

“We’d talk to each other a lot in Irish, just conversationally,” Ailbhe told us recently, as part of Florence Road’s Hot Press cover story. “Especially more recently, when we’re abroad…”

“...And we need a secret language!” Lily added.

They went on to reveal that they’ve actually written songs (as-yet unreleased) in Irish – including one where Lily shows off her tin whistle skills too. Watch this space...

Florence Road. Credit: Celia Croft

They’re staying true to their roots (and their shed)

Florence Road’s music may have already taken them around the world – with studio sessions in LA, and collaborations with big-name American producers like Dan Wilson, Dan Nigro and John Hill under their belt – but they’ve by no means forgotten where they came from. In fact, jam sessions in Lily’s garden shed are still central to the band's creative process.

“Originally, it was my dad who put the drums out there,” Lily explained. “It was partially his office – so he’d work in half of it, and write music when he wasn’t working. But it was really fun just jamming out there, and being like, ‘We’re going to be in the shed for a few hours!’ The set-up is still pretty much the same – except the drums are on a riser now, so Hannah watches us from up high.”

They're even back in the shed this month – to "write loads and loads" of new material...

 

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They’re proud to be part of a golden age for Irish music

From appearing on a Times Square billboard last month, to scoring spots on some of the biggest ones-to-watch features in the world (including BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2026 longlist), Florence Road are continuing to proudly fly the flag for Ireland on the international stage.

In their Hot Press cover story, Florence Road were eager to shout out some of their own homegrown favourites right now – including their “fellow ‘Road’ buddies” Esmeralda Road, and the “phenomenal” Bricknasty.

“Cliffords are great, MOIO is great… Madra Salach!” Lily added. “The list goes on and on. Everywhere you turn there’s incredible Irish talent. We’re so proud to even be a little bit part of that.”

Florence Road will perform at Hot Press’s ‘History In The Making: The Concert’ at 3Arena, Dublin (February 6). They'll also play The Limelight 1, Belfast (May 26) and 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin (May 27), and will support Kings Of Leon at Ormeau Park, Belfast (June 29) and Thomond Park, Limerick (July 1).

Read the full Florence Road cover story in the new issue of Hot Press: