That was the first time me and Gavin [Dawkins] properly spoke at Indiependence Festival in Cork, lead singer Iona Lynch recalls. Bastille, Lewis Capaldi and Catfish and the Bottlemen all played. I was like 17, and had to use my cousins ID but she was also at the festival, so I had to meet her at a part of the wall, and she threw the ID over. We had a great time at that one!

In the years since, the Cork four-piece also made up of Harry Menton and Locon OToole have established themselves at the forefront of a brilliantly independent-minded music scene in their city, while also generating serious buzz far beyond the banks of the Lee.

After self-releasing their debut EP, Strawberry Scented, in 2024, last year saw them make good on their early promise with sold-out shows, millions of streams, high-profile support slots, sets at Glastonbury and Misneach, multiple award nominations, and the release of their acclaimed, and heavily Cork-informed, Salt Of The Lee EP, via Soil To The Sun, an imprint of UK label Relentless Records. Before the year was out, they also found time to unveil their most recent single, Marsh, a compelling indie-rock take on seasonal depression.

Their 2026 is already unfolding just as dramatically. As well as making their Beyond The Pale debut this June, Cliffords will be spending their summer opening for the likes of Mumford & Sons at Londons Hyde Park, Florence + The Machine at Milans Ippodromo Snai San Siro, and Wolf Alice at Newcastles Exhibition Park.

When it comes to their all-time stand-out support slot though, the band are in agreement: Queens Of The Stone Age, in Dublin last August.

How big it was, and how big a deal it was, has only caught up to me recently, Iona reflects. We got the call for that only a few days before. To open for such an incredible band, and at IMMA, which is massive It was actually so overwhelming that I couldnt even think about it until a few months ago.

I was freaking out for a few weeks after, keyboardist Locon OToole agrees. I just didnt know what to do with myself.

Last years festival season was also defined by important moments of protest and solidarity, largely spearheaded by Irish acts. Cliffords were among the bands that pulled out of Victorious Festival in Portsmouth last August, after organisers cut off The Mary Wallopers for displaying a Palestinian flag during their set, and leading a Free Palestine chant.

Its always incredibly important, Iona says of using their platform in that way. Its such a small thing for you to do personally as an artist to show solidarity and to speak out against horrible things that are going on in the world. But it can mean so much to other people, and it can create a sense of community. And if youre all speaking out against something together, it makes it feel more like things can actually change. It was good to see that at a lot of festivals. And most of the time, we had no problems at all. Other than Victorious, it was usually welcomed most people were on the right side of history.

The Last Dinner Party reached out to us as well, once they had pulled out, she continues. Just to be like, Were all doing this together. For them as a headliner, and as a much bigger band, to pull out we all respected that so much. It was the right thing to do. The way The Mary Wallopers were treated was disgraceful. They werent doing anything violent. They were peacefully protesting for Palestine.

Last summer was our first time really having a platform, Locon adds. So we felt we had to do something, even something small like performing with the flag, or talking about it, or using our social media platforms to talk about it. The more people talking about it, the more dialogue thats created, and the more information people have.

Cliffords Supporting Queens of The Stone Age @RHK 20-8-25

But looking back now over the events of the past year, Iona admits that its all been a bit of a blur.

So much has changed for us as people, and for us as a band, since the EP, she says of Salt Of The Lee, which was released last May. Its crazy that its been a year now. Festival season didnt even feel like months, it just felt like one block of time. We werent home for longer than two days for about three months.

And now, since January, weve just been writing, nine to five, Monday to Friday, in our practice space here which is a different kind of busy. The festival stuff almost feels like it happened to different people. It feels like a completely different time.

At the time of our conversation, the band are operating out of their practice space up Dublin Hill, on Cork's northside though they've since revealed via social media that, while Cork will always be their home, they're "moving to London for a little while." Do they feel the sense of place and identity surrounding the Real Capital still informs their writing, as they work towards their debut album?

Cork is always super important, Iona notes. Its the core of it. Its where weve all grown up, and where we met. Its the music scene thats shaped us, with all these amazing bands weve had the pleasure of meeting and being friends with, and also being influenced by their music.

But this albums less on the nose than Salt Of The Lee, she adds. This one is less of a Cork concept thing but its always going to inform it as well.

Credit: Cal McIntyre

These past few months have also been crucial in allowing Cliffords to really find [their] sound, Iona notes.

It was something that we didnt quite nail for ourselves personally, in our first few releases, she tells me. Those first few pieces sound amazing, and we love them, but theyre not exactly what we wanted to land on. Now were getting closer to that.

Weve all gotten good at bringing in our different influences, but actually merging them together in a cohesive way that feels new, Locon nods. Its quite exciting, the stuff were making now. It feels different.

It was a gradual process, however.

After the summer, I think we all got a severe case of imposter syndrome, because wed just seen so many amazing bands, Iona reflects. It was this whole thing, Oh, we should do what theyre doing, or what theyre doing. And then I couldnt write anything good for a while, because I was so worried about being like other people.

We had a few massive discussions about it, and we came to the conclusion that we needed to trust ourselves, and back ourselves and not worry about what people will think, or whats cool.

Theres just so many cool bands and artists that we see, adds Locon. So to let go of this need to be cool in that sense, is so freeing, and so unique. I think more bands need to do that.

Yeah, Iona laughs. Fuck cool.

Cliffords play Beyond The Pale, Co. Wicklow on Saturday, June 13.

2025 proved to be another major year for the Indiana-raised, Nashville-based artist, with Wilson Jr. scoring a nomination for New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards, and releasing a deluxe edition of his acclaimed debut album, sn of dad which included a powerful rendition of 'Stand By Me' that has clocked up over 28 million streams on Spotify.

In September, he returned with hisBlanketsEP featuring covers of tracks by Nirvana, the Smashing Pumpkins and more.

To be in with a chance of winning two tickets to Stephen Wilson Jr. at the Trinity Summer Series, fill out the form below:

Released last Friday, it features an array of special guest artists, including Anas Mitchell, Jeffrey Martin, Jenn Grant, Lisa Hannigan, and Susan O'Neill, and Micks brothers Brian, David, and Eamonn Flannery.

The House Must Win includes reimaginings of songs from his 2005 debut album Evening Train, alongside 10 new songs and orchestrations that span the full story of his stage production of the same name.

 

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It was rated 8.5/10 by Hot Press and crowned Album of the Month for May, saying that the 20-track collection vibrates with two decades worth of love, care and attention.

Flannery is set to perform the album in full over two summer evenings in Vicar St., on June 25 and 26.

Speaking to Hot Press Will Russell ahead of the special gigs, the musician explained that he was going to perform as two album launch nights, where well sing through the songbook of the musical with lots of special guests, and with the band that has been on the project the whole time.

Check out The House Must Win below:

The show follows Byrnes sold-out gig at the 3Arena back in March, which was described by Hot Press as a gig of the year contender".

Special guests NewDad have met huge success in the past year, releasing their latest album Altar back in September.

David Byrne will be joined by special guests NewDad as well as the previously announced @arloparks at St. Anne's Park, Dublin, on 7 June 2026.

Tickets on sale now https://t.co/gQXGWwiVfV pic.twitter.com/122Eyfa3oV

— Ticketmaster Ireland (@TicketmasterIre) May 29, 2026

Speaking to Hot Press following the records release, frontwoman Julie Dawson explained: Weve definitely become more pop-leaning. Pop is back in such a big way. Were obviously not trying to become another Abba, or anything like that but we wanted to make music that had a wide reach.

This summer, the band is also set to perform a series of summer festival gigs, including a stop at Beyond The Pale on June 12.

Tickets for David Byrnes show in St. Annes Park are still on sale here.

The album title comes from a lyric in this track, Paul McCartney explains. Its just a lot of memories of Liverpool. It involves a bit in the middle about John [Lennon] and Forthlin Road, which is the street I used to live in. Dungeon Lane is near there.

Cheap guitars, smoky bars, secret codes and the Mersey Shore are also recalled in vivid detail as Paul treats us to one of his most powerfully autobiographical songs yet.

Pauls first-ever duet with Ringo Starr, Home To Us

Its only taken them sixty years to get around to it but this one jingles and jangles in all the right places and also features Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders and Texas Sharleen Spiteri on vocals. Im talking about where we came from, Paul reflects. In common with a lot of people, you come from nothing and you build yourself up.

"Ringo was from the Dingle, he adds, "and that was well-hard. He said he used to get mugged coming home, because he worked. Even though it was crazy, it was home to us. I made the song around that idea and sent it to Ringo. We took my first line, Ringos second line, and then we had a duet. And what a duet it is!

The super-trippy Mountain Top, which nods at Fab Four classics like Strawberry Fields and While My Guitar Gently Weeps

From harpsichord start to squalling guitar finish hes not afraid to turn it up to 11 this is a brilliant example of Paul bringing his past bang up to date.

The instant pop appeal of Never Know, which confirms Maccas position as the Mozart of melody

I want to feel your touch/ The things that you do have always meant so much, Paul sings as his merry band of musical cohorts swoop and soar around him. This is the man who made The Beatles the pinnacle of songwriting invention.

Credit: Sonny McCartney / MPL Communications

Mother Mary is back on 'Salesman Saint'

Having famously referenced her in Let It Be When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom Paul once again writes about her and his father James, on the poignant and marvellously loving Salesman Saint.

I often remember that my mom and dad had me in World War 2, he tells Paul Mescal whos poised to play Macca in one of Sam Mendes (fab) four upcoming Beatles biopics. Ive always known that growing up but at a certain point you go Wow. It occurred to me that itd be good to just put down some stuff about them carrying on through whatever they had to put up with.

Pauls awesome falsetto, which steals the honours on the inspiringly life-affirming Life Can Be Hard

Contrary to the title, it's an upbeat meditation on how love conquers all. Be warned: youll be singing this in the shower for the rest of the year and very possibly beyond

The Boys of Dungeon Lane is out now and you can listen here.

Read our album review here.

Leahy has rewritten 'Put 'Em Under Pressure', the unofficial anthem from the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

"I have rewritten the soccer anthem 'Put 'Em Under Pressure', said Leahy online, "This one's for humanity."

The song features Leen Maarouf, a Palestinian singer and poet and Brian Kerr, former Republic of Ireland football manager.

Pressure has grown for a boycott of the fixtures. Amnesty International has repeatedly condemned Israel and its actions, specifically accusing the Israeli government of war crimes, the crime of apartheid, and genocide in Gaza.

Israels impunity can no longer be tolerated, and people everywhere must act in accordance with their conscience and stand up for human rights, they stated.

Irish Sport For Palestine has called for a boycott, citing what it describes as "clear and ongoing serious breaches of UEFA and FIFA statutes regarding Israeli teams playing on occupied Palestinian lands" and "a brutal system of apartheid and genocide, both of which are accepted by the Irish government".

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirmed the games will go ahead, with chief executive David Courell saying the governing body had "no choice" and could face "serious consequences" if it pulled out of the games.

Leahy regularly performs at weekly rallies and marches for Palestine in Cork City. He has written and released protest songs with the people of Palestine, including 'We Remember' where Gaza native Nassar Al Swirki reads the names of destroyed and eradicated Palestinian villages, and 'You Will Never Bury Palestine' with Maarouf, who rewrote Israel's 2024 Eurovision entry song.

In March this year, Leahy completed his 200th and final housing crisis gig at Leinster House. He travelled from Cork to Dublin every week to protest outside Dil ireann, singing his song, 'Everyone Should Have A Home'.

The singer is currently performing at a series of festivals, including Primavera Sound, Reading Festival and Electric Picnic on August 29.

This will be his first release since the deluxe edition of Kansas Anymore, which included the track Sally, When the Wine Runs Out, a song that went viral on social media. During a Saturday Night Live performance, Charli XCX made a surprise appearance. The original album reached number 47 on the Irish Albums Chart.

Following its release, Role Model embarked on the No Place Like Tour, which opened in Dublin at the 3Olympia Theatre before continuing across Europe, North America and Australia. He has also previously supported Gracie Abrams on tour.

He is set to make his acting debut in Good Sex, alongside Natalie Portman, in a film directed by Lena Dunham.

Role Model, whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury, was born in the northeastern state of Maine. He began his music career as a rapper before transitioning into singing. His alternative rock debut RX was released in 2022.

 

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Dublin singer-songwriter Hanna has released a new track, a fresh take on Whats New Pussycat? The song was originally written by American composer and songwriter Burt Bacharach for the 1965 film of the same name.

The song received widespread acclaim and was nominated for an Academy Award. Hanna delivers a brilliant performance here, with his vocals doing full justice to the classic track. Having previously supported Burt Bacharach in 2019, he was even invited back on stage for an encore performance in Galway.

Kingfishr,'The Sun Will Never Settle

Kingfishr have released a new single, The Sun Will Never Settle, via B-Unique/Atlantic Records.

The track is their second release of the year after 'The Blade came out in February.

The song was produced by David Curley at Grouse Lodge Studios in County Westmeath. Curley previously collaborated on the tracks 'Gloria', 'Killeagh', and 'Diamonds & Roses' from their debut album, Halcyon.

The song is about the end of a relationship, and being better off for the experience, said lead singer Eddie Keogh.

Sometimes these things dont work out. Thats not ideal, but it also doesnt mean it wasnt worth it either.

If youre lucky enough to end a relationship and both be better people as a result, you are part of a very prestigious club. Congratulations.

Photography: Rebecca Aston

Malaki, Wanna Feel Home Again

Malaki has released his latest track, 'Wanna Feel Home Again' from his upcoming EP DUB CHILD. Opening with an almost folk-inspired guitar melody, the song quickly unfolds into a strong, driving beat. Later, piano lines introduce a melancholic atmosphere, adding even more emotional depth to the track. Its an ode to everyone who calls Dublin home, delivered with radiating optimism from Diblin Hip-Hop artist Malaki.

Malaki.

ALKY, 'Sorrow'

ALKY has released his second single of 2026. Sorrow is a heartfelt ballad with minimalist production. Driven by guitar and violin, it effectively conveys its core message of fear and vulnerability.

Sorrow was written while holding a vigil around my critically ill mum., ALKY says. The song feels part eulogy, part love song. Somewhere in the middle of all that grief, I found the person Im now sharing my life with. Bittersweet in many ways.

Christian Cohle, Living With Lucy

Christian Cohle has once again released a song that perfectly blends his melancholic voice with 80s-influenced elements that radiate energy. Living with Lucy comes alongside the announcement of his fourth studio album, Queen of Ashes. It is a euphoric, groove-led track made for late-summer drives.

Mechanical Wonders, Old Man

Five-piece band from Blanchardstown Mechanical Wonders have released their newest track, Old Man,today. It is a song about ageing and isolation, inspired by a direct experience of frontman Richie McGrath. With sharp percussion at times and a guitar-driven sound, the track evokes nostalgia for a time that has yet to come.

I saw this man struggling along on his own and it just stayed with me., McGrath says. You start wondering about his lifewhere his people areand then you turn it on yourself. Will we all end up like that? It made me think about how we move through life and what actually matters.

Sarah Crean, Baby (Ill Always Be The Lead)

Sarah Crean, who has previously supported Florence Road and U.S. Girls, returns this week with her new single Baby (Ill Always Be The Lead). A soft lo-fi indie track with rhythmic guitars and moody drums, it explores the aftermath of a toxic relationship. Reminiscent of contemporary singers such as Gracie Abrams and Phoebe Bridgers, she is a promising act who should be closely watched.

'Baby (Ill Always Be The Lead)' was written honestly as a spoof at first, a very angry early twenties perspective that still feels so raw, Crean says. It stemmed from the frustration I felt as a woman in the music industry, constantly belittled by my male counterparts particularly ones I dated.

Peer Pleasure. Drunk Driving

Nine-piece Peer Pleasure. make a strong statement with their latest release for their upcoming album Unvetted Males. In Drunk Drivers, the post-punk, garage rock band expands their sound and blends influences. The track opens with steady drums and synthesisers that gradually build, drawing the listener in. From there, heavy percussion bursts through into a dark, genre-blurring atmosphere, with lead vocalist Brandon Murphys performance adding to the tracks eerie tone

Drunk Driving was written after a heavy weekend of krautrock, synthetic cathinone and a messing around on a cracked version of FL Studio., guitarist Erik Murphy says.Pieced together at one messy practice that may or may not have involved insufflation, push ups and rugs in the band room."

Credit: Dylan Scully

John of the Apocalypse, Whale

Mayo natives John of the Apocalypse have released their new track Whales. It is a dark, moody song that may take a few listens to fully appreciate. Sharp drums and blended vocals come together to create an eerie atmosphere that lingers throughout the track.

I didnt plan it, the words just emerged from the perspective of a whale and I followed a bit of a shamanic meditation with it," says Patrick Hallinan. They are such wondrous, mythical creatures, it feels good to celebrate the whale in a way, the great power and mystery of nature

Rory & The Island, Demons

Its been three weeks since Rory & The Island released his latest album Nine, once again proving his storytelling ability. 'Demons' is the newest single, drawing on vintage country and Americana influences. The title is somewhat misleading, as it is not a dark track, but rather one of hope, exploring how love can serve as a vessel for overcoming depression. With its upbeat rhythm and guitar-driven sound, the song is the definition of a feel-good track.

WIFESWAP, 'Calliope'

WIFESWAP, the Dublin-based project of Offaly native Joe Brody, have released their new EP, Digging.

This is the debut EP for the brooding, alt-rock band, who sound reminiscent of The Velvet Underground and Arab Strap.

The focus track, Calliope, is a pulsing love letter to writing, describes Brody.

Despite getting distracted by meaningless, empty pursuits of easy dopamine, writing is always on my mind.

Chris Boldt, 'Eighteen 22'

One of Irelands most exciting new country talents, Chris Boldt, has released his latest single, Eighteen 22.

For the last two years, he lived in Montana, and Chris returned to his hometown in Belfast, bringing his two worlds together. The single is raw and road-worn - music for the soul.

As with Heavens Eyes and Made for More, Eighteen 22 further showcases Boldts powerful lyricism and songwriting craftsmanship.

San Rocco, 'Manners'

New single Manners marks the beginning of a heavier, sharper, and more chaotic new chapter for Dublin post-punks San Rocco.

Blending driving grooves, distorted guitars and manic synth textures, Manners takes inspiration from the Viagra Boys and Fontaines D.C., while still maintaining San Roccos cinematic edge and dark lyrical style.

Lyrically, the track satirises ideas of etiquette and good behaviour, turning social restraint into good chaos.

Chris Cresham, 'Before The Brunt'

Before The Brunt is another top-notch song by singer-songwriter Chris Cresham. Its a slow-building ballad driven by a stirring guitar melody. The song explores grief, family estrangement and the pain of feeling blamed and abandoned by the people closest to you. Creshams voice carries the track with real vulnerability and emotion, bringing an honesty that makes the lyrics hit even harder.

Ive spent years building towards whats coming., writes Cresham on his socials. This new song Bore the Brunt is the start of everything and feels like the perfect introduction to that.

Without Willow, 'Twist of Fate'

The Donegal-based duo return with their evocative new single, Twist of Faith.

Known for their haunting vocals and intricate acoustic arrangements, the duo continue to carve out a distinctive space in Irelands contemporary folk and singer-songwriter scene.

Without Willow has built a strong reputation for deeply personal songwriting and intimate live performances. Twist of Faith explores themes of expectation, acceptance, and the often-unexpected paths that lead to true fulfilment.

The new song looks at the gap between what we think we want and what actually fulfils us, says vocalist Karen Kelly.

Its also about how things not working out can sometimes be a blessing if youre willing to let go and just trust things will work out the way theyre meant to.

Boa Morte, 'The Following On'

Boa Morte, Cork songsmiths are preparing to release two albums in quick succession, drawn from elements of folk, alt-Americana and post-rock. Their new single, The Following On, is the first single from the ambitious project.

The track is composed of a simple, laid-back, folky melody, supported by ambient, experimental, drone and country aesthetics - a sound that resists categorisation. The bands melodic and creative instincts are evident in this first single.

Gravit Fresq, Curry Sauce

Curry Sauce is a delightfully unhinged electro-punk track from Dublins Gravit Fresq.

The song captures modern tech frustration by blending heavy post-punk synth rhythms, jagged guitars, and deadpan vocals.

Listening to the track places you in a sweaty, late-night indie club, while it tells a story about escalating panic and frustration of trying to get an AI image generator to co-operate.

AOA, Its just a Formality

Belfast natives AOA have released their new track, Its Just a Formality. The pop-punk song is reminiscent of genre legends such as Green Day and Blink-182.
With sharp snare hits and heavy guitar riffs, the track wastes no time in showing its full potential. Over the tight instrumentation, singer Caloan Fitzsimons delivers lyrics centred around isolation, loneliness and disconnection.

Paddy Casey, 'This Is To Move'

Paddy Casey is back with a summer pop anthem, a celebration of life and self-expression. This isnt Caseys first ramble into the pop and dance world; hes dipped in before, but this time hes dived in headfirst.

This Is To Move is a 70s good-time tune with summer-driven pop built around a strong bass groove; it's upbeat, infectious, and packed with energy that makes standing still feel like a poor choice.

Written and produced by Casey at home, it has a raw, home-cooked sound that gives it real personality. As Casey says, This is to move your body.

Gilla Band, Giraffe

Gilla Band are back with their first new music in nearly four years, with the new bold single Giraffe, a gloriously noisy tune lined with undeniable melodic flair, complete with gritty guitars and almost-spoken vocal delivery reminding fans of their magnificent soundscapes of post-punk and noise-rock, a ground-breaking hybrid that could only come from the quartet.

Front man Dara Kiely explains: In this track, the first few sections represent what my general headspace is like. It can be a very scattered and sometimes lonely place. Feeling unloved and finding it difficult to articulate what Im actually thinking. The outro on the other hand indirectly details a kind of confirmation that affection towards me does exist. While I appreciate it, I still find that hard to believe. She chased me out the door with a hairbrush demanding that I would wear a suitable jacket. Its a very Irish Mammy action. That amount of love is difficult for me to accept but it is a beautiful thing to have in life.

Gilla Band

AE Mak, Dont Think Twice, Its Alright

Hailing from her new album Folk Songs For Mama & Papa, AE Maks rendition of Bob Dylans Dont Think Twice, Its Alright is a stunning, stripped-back cover of the classic tune, bringing a deeply personal and vulnerable touch to the track.

Around the time I was writing and recording this record I was singing Dont Think Twice.. at parties and sessions, says AE Mak. I love how it hits my body when I sing it - the emotional resonance where the melody and range of it hits. It played a massive influence on how I used my voice to write and express these songs, so I decided to include it on the record.

The lyrics are also close to my heart, my personal experience and share in some themes of the record - leaving behind someone you loved that caused heartache - choosing yourself, surrendering, forgiving and letting go of that pain. Im not saying that you treated me unkind, you couldve done better but I dont mind - you just kind of wasted my precious time! But dont think twice, its alright.

MARKIEVICZ, LONELY IN D MINOR

Alternative hip-hop trio MARKIEVICZ today release their highly anticipated debut album GUERILLA, including the magnificently hard-hitting LONELY IN D MINOR, mixing deft bars with alternative-rock grit and the precision of classical music, marking a magnificently dark first look into this exciting new full-length offering.

MARKIEVICZ.

Willzee, Living In The Times

Willzee, a Limerick-based artist of Traveller descent, today releases new album Deep Tinker, including the records lead single and closer Living In The Time, a moving yet deeply joyful tune which brings together reflection and celebration, capturing both the past and the present through a distinctly Irish Traveller lens.

Speaking on the album, Willzee says: This album is my story, but its also our story. Its about where we come from, what weve been through, and where were going. I wanted to create something real, something my family, my community, and the next generation can feel proud of.

Chanele McGuinness, Prove Me Wrong

Donegal singer-songwriter Chanele McGuinness today releases her stirringly intense new single Prove Me Wrong, a soft indie pop track lined with the grit of distorted guitars and driving bass lines, giving the tune a powerful edge which perfectly lines the singers gentle, emotive vocal delivery.

Chanele McGuinness. Photo: Molly Keane.

KNEECAP, Smugglers and Scholars feat. Killer Mike

Following the release of their Irish No.1 Album FINIAN, KNEECAP are back new version of 'Smugglers & Scholars' featuring Grammy Award-winning rapper Killer Mike, one-half of the hip-hop duo Run The Jewels. In the new rendition, Mike delivers a razor-sharp verse that slinks between the voices of Mo Chara and Mgla Bap, Over the tracks slow-burning bassline and shadowy pulse, amplifying their tale of revolutionary spirit. The track comes as part of a limited-time digital edition of the album, only available on iTunes and their music store.

KNEECAP

NudyBoyNature, Sketch

The opener to NudyBoyNatures new a EP Keepin Sketch, Sketch is a magnificently surreal track where driving bass lines meet slow building acoustic guitars, jazzy arrangements and distorted vocals, all lined with sampled soundbites and complex, chaotic yet carefully built.

SexyTadhg, Therapists Knife

A powerful and stirring tune lined with deeply confessional lyrics and expansive trad arrangements, SexyTadhgs new track Therapists Knife appears as the emotional core of their new EP SlutTrad, out now. Incredibly raw and honest, the tune builds into cinematic soundscapes while never losing the sense of hope and joy that accompanies the artists discography.

SexyTadhg says of their new EP: Having embraced my vivacious, sexual, and outspoken side with my debut EP SEXY, I wanted to follow the thread of vulnerability introduced in Never Been Loved in the Daylight, and complete my artistic introduction with this EP.
I wanted to blend images and themes of queer and pop culture with Irish culture in hopes that one day this inclusive image of Irish culture would feel tangible and less surreal.

SexyTadhg

Dervish, The Broad Majestic Shannon

Legendary Irish ensemble Dervish today release their new record The Great Irish Songbook Vol. 2: Poets & Storytellers, including a glistening rendition of The Pogues The Broad Majestic Shannon. The album's emotional centerpiece, the performance showcases Jordan's singing at its most affecting and the band's deep roots in the tradition they've spent 35-plus years serving.

Credit: Tim Jarvis

MOIO, We Fall

Dublin producer MOIO releases his stirring and raw new single We Fall a warmly powerful and sulphurous track flavoured with soulful guitar riffs and the singers honey-smooth vocal delivery , making for a song that is as emotional and honest as it is melodically enticing, cinematic in its grandeur yet confessional in tone.

Moio at Grand Theatre Eurosonic on January 16th, 2026. Copyright Shali

Antoni OBreskey, Jig in the Castle

Coming ahead of Antoni OBreskey three-volume career retrospective album Antoni OBreskey: 50 Years of Music, today the iconic musician releases the lead single Jig In The Castle, a tune grounded in the rhythmic pulse of Irish traditional music and inflected with the harmonic sensibility of jazz.

OBreskey says of the song: Between 1970 and 1973, I traveled through Alabama and Louisiana, exploring the roots of jazz and blues, and playing with fantastic old time and bluegrass musicians in the Appalachian Mountains. I discovered the profound Irish influence on jazz and performed with traditional New Orleans musicians.

The Irish Sean-Ns lament, blues, flamenco Cante Jondo, Indian mantras, and Brazilian Saudade are all deeply interconnected. Musically, they share a raw, untempered modal expression where major and minor sounds merge. Culturally, they are about catharsis: detaching from personal sorrow to enter a meditative, universal state, or transforming suffering into a joyful celebration that defies death. The striking similarity between Irish wakes and New Orleans jazz funerals is no coincidence.

Antoni OBreskey

Sen Feeny, Wildflowers

Donegal singer-songwriter Sen Feeny drums up anticipation for his new album with Wildflowers, a personal and intimate new single about trying to hold onto moments and people that never fully stay.

The track features cello from Donegal-based musician Laura McFadden, adding depth beneath the songs understated arrangement, with backing vocals from Sarah Cullen Ruair Friel.

This song came from thinking about people who pass through your life for a short time but stay with you long afterwards, said Sean.

Theres a feeling in the song of wanting something to last while already knowing it probably wont. I think most people have experienced that in some way.

Wynona Bleach, I Deserve That

The new track is pulled from Wynona Bleachs second studio album Animal Style. The full release proceeds three singles from the album released this year, Not Cool With It', Religion and Be Positive.

A thick, heavily distorted guitar riff backed by an aggressive double time drum beat makes way for melodic vocals from lead singer Melyssa Shannon.

That distorted riff returns for the chorus, giving the track some power and presence. The combination of Shannons layered vocals and alternative rock and metal style is strikingly reminiscent of Willows 2022 album <COPING MECHANISM>.

Animal Style is a return to the bands basic loves - a more guitar-focused record, with less guitars. Its about instinct and energy, trusting the songs and playing them like we do live, said the band.

Moncrieff, Stubborn

Moncrief has followed up a busy year of releasing music with a new EP spearheaded by its titletrack Stubborn.

The song is centred around the dissolution of a close friendship after a falling out and the role stubbornness plays in this disconnection.

The arrangement is driven by a subdued guitar, gentle synthesisers with a driving and consistent drum beat. Moncrief delivers a stellar vocal performance in a catchy, radio-friendly melody.

Moncrief has a history of addressing themes prevalent in toxic masculinity.

I see a lot of men suffering with their own rigidity, he told Hot Press in an interview upon the release of Maybe Its Fine. You have to be flexible and malleable to open up.

Stubborn is about a silence that becomes deafening, says Moncrieff. Youre not just missing a person - you're mourning all the versions of yourself that only existed around them. I wanted to write something that gives voice to that feeling, but also lights a fire under people to go fix it before its too late.

Animal Animal, Velvet Hammer

Alternative rock group Animal Animal have announced their debut album with the heavy post-rock track Velvet Hammer.

A punchy guitar rift and heavy drums permeate the verse pairing excellently with raspy vocals.

The intensity is turned up for the chorus as the shackles are removed from all the instruments as guitars, drums and vocals all increase in volume.

A punchy guitar solo before a repeat of the chorus closes out the tune in what is an exciting taster of Animal Animals upcoming album.

ActionRec, Build My Mind

ActionRec return with their second album, One More Shot, spearheaded by the track One More Shot.

The track is an upbeat blend of Synthpop, Disco and Funk with a groovy bass line backed by a steady double time bass drum.

The new song is written, arranged and produced by brothers, Sean and R Graham, mastered by Fergal Davis with further production from Niall and Mags Graham.

Harry Fennell, 'Funeral Flower'

Harry Fennell has shared a haunting new single, Funeral Flower. Initially the track appears to be an intimate stripped back folk song.

The first two phrases of the chorus, Gone with the window you came and you went, and The way you came in there's more time to be spent, both finish on unresolved chords which give the track unsettling tension while eerie woodwinds exemplify this.

In the second verse a violin and some gentle synthesisers are introduced that gives the number a warm, yet haunting atmosphere.

The track then rolls into a separate phrase and although it is more assured and uplifting, it doesnt awfully alleviate the uncertainty that came before it. The track closes with an unsettling feeling.

Muiren, Loinnir

Irish artist Muirgns new EP is spearheaded by a dreamy title track Loinnir,

Reverbed, harmonising and layered vocals open create a dreamy and mystical mood. The singer shifts between English and Irish lyrics throughout the verses.

Muiren met producer Cian Sweeney in a chance encounter in a coffee shop in June 2025, who came on board to produce the track.

What Cian created from fragmented demos and streams of consciousness completely changed the project, Muiren says. His belief gave me the confidence to release this music.

"'Loinnir' marks what feels like a cerebral shift, which I think nearly everyone experiences coming into their 30s. For me it was a search for something more - a longing for a self who once knew exactly what she liked and what she didn't. I spent so much of my 20s trying to fit a circle into a square, trying to be what I thought others expected me to be.

Jayne Pomplas, Hit Single

The debut single from the Dublin-based fiddle player, vocalist, and composer Jayne Pomplas Hit Single will be followed by a launch party at Arthur's Jazz & Blues Club on June 1.

The song sits at a crossroads between traditional, folk and country. An alternating upright bass line, a muted guitar and a snare drum played with wire brushes provide percussion while a sporadically trickling banjo harmonies Pomplas throughout the verse.

A sweeping violin is introduced for the chorus as Pomplas lifts the song with a catchy chorus. It will be very interesting to see what else she comes out with in the future.

Diveboy, Chosen Ones

Cork indie-rockers Diveboy have released their soaring new single, Chosen Ones.

Diveboy have confidently stepped into its most expansive era yet, with Chosen Ones standing as a bold new offering that pulses with kinetic energy.

There has always been a bit of a 90s influence in our sound, but we really leaned into it on this track, says Peter Piggot on the single, A lot of the sounds in the final version were actually taken from the original demo of the track, where I tried to limit myself to using equipment those artists might have used at the time, or shaping modern sounds so they felt true to the period.

The chorus line Holding up a photograph, 99 summertime really leans into that sense of nostalgia. Funnily enough, the lyrics to the song were also inspired by a sketch from The Limmy Show!

Shooter McAdams, 'Widow'

Shooter McAdams is the new folk project from Johnny McGee, the singer from punk band PxBx.

This single is the latest release from this Shooter McAdams from an artist that evidently draws inspiration from Elliot Smith.

The track features a stripped back, lightly harmonised guitar arrangement with whispery, layered vocals reminiscent of Smith's 1997 album Either/Or.

"It was inspired by Therapys version of 'Husker Du Dianne', a song that I wrote when I was 18, these songs are old lyrics and concepts I've been holding of to for a very long time and are close to my heart," he said.

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Taking place from July 24 to 25 in Emo, Co. Laois, Forest Fests line-up includes the previously announced Echo & The Bunnymen, James, Madness, The Boomtown Rats, The Charlatans and The Coronas, among others.

The Forest Fleadh Stage was first announced at a launch party last Tuesday in Dublin's iconic folk music pub, O'Donoghue's of Merrion Row.

Festival Director Philip Meagher commented on the launch: "We are so proud of our Fleadh line-up this year and we're really looking forward to welcoming the very best folk and trad acts from all around the country to Laois in July. This year, we wanted to do something a little different by starting our Fleadh journey in a different county.

O'Donoghue's is world-renowned as a legendary hub for Irish folk music, he continued, most notably The Dubliners, who often performed in this very pub. We're unbelievably honoured to have some of today's most renowned folk and trad musicians in the room with us tonight, and we cannot wait to have the mother of all hooleys in Emo this summer!"

In 2025, Forest Fest was shortlisted for Best Small Festival in the IMRO Live Music Awards and crowned Best Event / Festival at the Midlands Hospitality Awards.

You can find the full line-up for the Forest Fleadh Stage, as well as tickets here.

Although it was written over the course of two years, the album never feels disjointed. It maintains a strong sense of coherence in both theme and sound. 'Come Back Down' opens softly and slowly, setting the reflective tone with warm guitars and understated rhythm. 'American Farmer' is about the struggles facing North America's farming communities currently, while also touching on the loss of his father, actor Donald Sutherland: "Been struggling since then to keep this farm alive'",stands out in that context.

'Goodbye California' introduces momentum with sharp guitar work and a strong rhythm, giving the song a nostalgic edge. Inspired by Sutherlands decision to leave the state after 35 years, it works as a bittersweet farewell. 'Cruel World' layers his gritty vocals with an almost rock-inspired sound, a nice switch-up halfway through the record.

Up until the closing track, 'Rage In Me', Sutherland maintains a restrained approach. Maybe that is what makes the finale feel like a release of built-up frustration, with haunting drums slowly building alongside piano into an unexpectedly energetic rhythm. Like the best country records, Grey finds its strength in themes that connect.

• Out now

The Irish singer-songwriter said she had removed Instagram, TikTok and X from her phone to protect her mental health, but she came across an online essay which discussed online criticism of her appearance, which she said, "has really summed up a lot of what is causing my deep sadness."

"It is literally so boring for me, a gorgeous genius, to keep having to yap on about how horribly I am treated because of my body," she wrote. "I would love to stop, but I cannot because it keeps happening, at an accelerating and worsening pace as I become more famous."

"There is no relief from this - nobody can protect me or save me from this, and all that is demanded of me is more and more work as every environment I am placed in becomes more hostile."

"I also want to point out, to some very well-meaning people, that I am not being defiant. I am not choosing to look like this or weigh this much as some kind of punk rock act of liberty. I simply have a body, one that I would of course like to change in order to fit in and avoid all of this abuse, but I have had extreme difficulty doing so."

"I don't get a say in whether or not I want to be brave; I simply have to sit here and take it."

Support from other artists poured into her comments.

"Been a while since I was in a bar fight, but I'd have one over CMAT," said Brandi Carlile.

"This is hard to read, but I also feel a fool as I see you being so glorious and wonderful, and I didn't understand how little things have changed," said Sophie Ellis Bextor, "I actually thought things were better now."

CMAT is due to play a sold-out show at St Anne's Park in Dublin on Saturday as part of her Euro-Country tour.

In 2024, after making her debut at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, CMAT said comments had been disabled on a BBC post featuring her performance, "because so many people were calling me fat."

"I didn't realise it was illegal to have a huge ass!" she joked at the time.

 

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Much has been made of Ridings vocal similarities to Florence Welch in the past, but for Hot Presss money, theres plenty of room for two powerhouse singers, especially when some of the material on Mother Of Pearl is Freyas finest yet. Wisely putting her miraculous voice front and centre throughout, the likes of the blues and soul-spiced Euphoria and the stirring anthem Battleship are showstoppers. Undefeated is also a knockout. Built around a stunning hook and sprinkled with Celtic magic, itll give you goosebumps you can hang a hat off.

An emotional and cinematic listen,Mother Of Pearlis a gem.

7/10

The track was written and produced by Grande alongside longtime collaborators Max Martin and ILYA. The music video is set to premiere on June 1.

The album arrives ahead of her Eternal Sunshine Tour, which will include 41 dates. The tour kicks off in June in North America before heading to Europe, including a ten-night run at Londons O2 Arena.

petal marks Grandes first album since 2024s Eternal Sunshine, which received three Grammy nominations. Its single We Cant Be Friends reached charts worldwide, including number three in Ireland.

Alongside her music career, Grande has also continued acting. She starred as Glinda opposite Cynthia Erivo in both film adaptations of the musical Wicked. Both films received Oscar nominations. Most recently, she filmed Focker-in-Law, the latest instalment in the Meet the Parents series, which is set for release in November.

Reviewing Eternal Sunshine, Hot Press wrote: To say that this album is profound would be to confuse vulnerability and emotional depth as the same thing. If you listen to Eternal Sunshine for what it is, and not what it purports to be, there's a lot to be gained from the artist's latest LP, a delectable piece of pop R&B to melt into.

They also shared a single from the album, 'Only Love', featuring British-Gambian rapper Pa Salieu.

"Pa Salieu has been a musician that we have long admired in Ezra Collective," said bandleader Femi Koleoso.

"Not just because of his incredible lyricism and storytelling, but also his ability to weave his Gambian heritage and roots into such a distinctly UK sound. In 2024, we had the beautiful moment playing at Wembley Arena, looking out into the crowd and seeing Pa Salieu dancing and partying with his friends, and in that moment, I had the very thought we need to make a song together for this kind of setting."

Here Because of Hopeis Ezra Collective's first album since Dance, No One's Watching in 2024. In addition to Salieu, the album features Leona Lewis, Lila Ik, Libianca and Letitia Wright.

In June, Ezra Collective will embark on a tour across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. They will be stopping in Ireland on August 1 for the All Together Now festival in Waterford.

The quintet is composed of drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and tenor saxophonist James Mollison. They met at a jazz youth programme and formed the group soon after.

Their 2024 single, "God Gave Me Feet for Dancing," was chosen by former US President Barack Obama for the list of his 25 favourite songs of the year. At the Brit Awards 2025, they became the first jazz band to win Group of the Year.

She also shares her new single 'Handle'.

Her first album since 2024'sBird's Eye, featuring the track 'Love Me Not', which reached No.2 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Blue Island is a point of arrival, and feeling set in my ways and in who I am, and feeling free of any of those preconceived notions about blackness or what I had to be in the past," Lenae said on the album. "I think now it's fun to challenge the idea of what R&B is supposed to sound like, what pop is supposed to sound like...and really say 'fuck all of that' and do my own thing."

In addition toBlue Island, Lenae is set to play more than a dozen dates across North America and Europe. She'll be making a stop at Electric Picnic on August 30.

Lenae spent much of last year touring as an opening act for Sabrina Carpenter on her Short n' Sweet tour; additionally, she supported Rene Rapp on her Bite Me tour.

And it is certainly front and centre on 93-year-old Willie Nelsons Dream Chaser, a grippingly bittersweet survey of life, ageing and whatever comes next. The big talking point around the record is I Cant Read Your Mind, a sweetly effusive co-write with Bob Dylan their first since Across The Borderline in 1993, and a tune steeped in languid slide guitar and soaring harmonica.

Ill tell you anything you want but I cant read your mind, croons Nelson exactly what youd say seated opposite Dylan in a studio. Elsewhere, this melancholic, never maudlin collection sees countrys last living outlaw looking at his reflection and astonished at the wizened figure glaring back ('Dream Chaser), and celebrating the cinematic majesty of a grand life, spent largely in the fast lane (Wed Make A Good Movie).

This far into his career, Nelson isnt one for frightening the livestock. To that end, Dream Chaser employs a familiar palette of smooth arrangements, while his vocals have a honeyed texture wisdom mixed with a determination to keep the fires ablaze.

Still, theres no doubt Nelson feels he has one foot in the departure lounge. Im developing my pictures / My mind is a dark room, he declares on closer Developing My Pictures. But he sounds amused rather than sad: if the sun is going down, then the message here is that Nelson is determined to catch every last ray going.

7/10

Paul Rudd plays Rick Power, an American musician who came to Ireland years earlier with dreams of rock stardom and never quite made it. Instead, he built a life falling in love, starting a family and becoming the frontman of a wedding band, spending his evenings performing at the most significant moments in strangers' lives. It is, in many ways, a deeply meaningful existence. Yet Rick remains haunted by the career that almost happened.
The film's central conflict emerges when, while working at a wedding, Rick meets Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas), an American friend of the bride and groom. Danny also happens to be a wildly famous former boy-band star attempting to engineer a comeback. During a late-night jam session after the wedding, Rick plays Danny an unfinished song he has been working on for years. Months later, Danny releases a hit single built around Rick's melody and ideas, presenting it as entirely his own work.

On one level, Power Ballad is a crowd-pleasing comedy about artistic theft, complete with misadventures, chases, caper hijinks and midlife strops. On another, it is a surprisingly sharp meditation on the uncomfortable reality that talent alone rarely determines who succeeds. Rick and Danny are both musicians. They can play. They can perform. Yet one spends his weekends playing weddings in Dublin while the other is propelled to the top of the charts.
The difference has less to do with artistic merit than with youth, timing, visibility, access, and fame. Danny already has the machine, the audience, the marketing apparatus, the industry relationships and the public profile. Rick has the song. That tension gives the film much of its emotional charge. Rick is not merely angry that his work has been taken; he is confronting the possibility that what separated him from success all along was not talent, but luck, support, and power.

Power Ballad also explores the idea that Danny takes more than a melody he appropriates emotional authenticity itself. Jonas' character is trapped inside an industry obsessed with selling vulnerability while carefully manufacturing it. His stolen comeback single is ironically packaged as a deeply personal confession, complete with music videos filled with tightrope clichs and cringeworthy CGI imagery imitating sincerity while obviously having been focus-grouped within an inch of its inauthentic life.

Yet the film is also smart enough to acknowledge that audiences frequently embrace exactly this kind of performance. The overwhelmingly enthusiastic response to Danny's song reflects a culture that endlessly markets authenticity while rewarding polished simulations of it. In this David V. Goliath struggle, Ricks frustration which soon becomes obsessive is understandable. He wants recognition and money, sure but he also wants an acknowledgement that his work matters, and has made an impact on the world.

The tragedy is that he struggles to recognise the value of what he already has because he remains fixated on the life that never arrived. In contrast, Danny has the mansion, the fame, and the adoration. Yet he appears incapable of producing the kind of emotional depth his audience wants from him. That tension gives the film its melancholy undertow neither man is satisfied with the riches they each possess.

Meanwhile, in Power Ballad, Dublin looks terrific. John Carney continues to shoot the city with genuine affection, finding warmth and texture in familiar locations without turning them into postcards.

But amid the fun and the laughter, there is a wistful message: that the people who seem to have won the game frequently turn out to be every bit as lost as those still waiting for their chance.

Directed by John Carney. Written by John Carney and Peter McDonald. Edited by Stephen OConnell. Cinematography by Yaron Orbach.
Starring Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Jack Reynor, Havana Rose Liu, Marcella Plunkett, Beth Fallon, Peter McDonald. 98 mins

• In cinemas now. Watch the trailer below:

He really means it. The City of Brotherly Love has sprinkled its good vibes on Vile ever since he moved there as a young artist. He repays that compliment with a wonderfully cheery record that makes the most of his shaggy, conversational singing and his ability to create music thats stripped back yet bursting with emotion.

Its less-is-more writing, as he demonstrates on opener Zoom 97, in which a chiming mandolin (steady on, Kurt, this isnt 1991, and youre not R.E.M.) gives way to a gorgeously brittle melody and a lovely ah-ah-ah refrain.

Simplicity is his superpower. A fuss-free blues riff anchors the achingly gnarly BPM, grainy vocals suggesting a mumblecore Lou Reed. Yet that grit is brushed aside for the synth-fuelled title track, which is suffused in Stranger Things-level nostalgia, as he looks back at his years as a striving musician and wonders how far he has come and about the people who helped him along the way. Its a work of exquisite generosity, delivered in the deadpan manner of classic slacker rock.

Vile never stays in one place for long. He swerves into acoustic balladry on the does what it says on the tin torch song, Piano For Sarah, where he comes across like an artisanal, farm-to-fork Billy Joel.

A quietly stunning album comes to a suitably emotive close with Avalanches Of Snow a horn-splashed indie chugger that spotlights his talent for lush, jazz-style arrangements. Hometown odes can be hit or miss and it is fair to say that Philadelphia is a city which doesnt go out of its way to win over newcomers it is proudly unglamorous and comfortable in its hardboiled exterior.

But Vile has made something special here the lo-fi equivalent of the scene inRockywhere Sylvester Stallone runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and punches the air. Itsa record that wears its feelings on its lapels and has a hug for everyone in the audience.

8/10

The fifth edition of the acclaimed boutique festival includes music from the likes of Caribou, Primal Scream, Soulwax, and Father John Misty as well as one of the most eagerly anticipated moments of this year's festival season, with a performance from Mike D of Beastie Boys.

Other highlights include the likes ofHoney Dijon, Ben Klock, Groove Armada, Of Monsters and Men, tella, and TSHA plus top Irish talent like Kojaque, NewDad, BIIRD, Bricknasty, Madra Salach and Curtisy.

Stages across the festival site include the Main Stage, Selective Memory, Cirrus Garden, Strawberry Fields, Pc Fada, Club Ccu, Hi Pony!, and the brandnew Outpost Stage with RT 2FM Live.

Beyond music, you can also look forward to over 90 artworks and events, comedy, cabaret, immersive theatre and more.

Beyond The Plate is also set to return, with Ali Dunworth, one of Irelands most celebrated food writers and curators, at the helm. For 2026, the festival is embracing a new theme, The Spice Bag Edition, celebrating the global influence on Irish food through tastings, collaborations, and food and drink storytelling.

Three acclaimed Dublin restaurants will also be joining the programme: Host, Reggies, and Ible. Book your spot in advance at itsbeyondthepale.ie/restaurants

For those looking for a chance to reset and recharge at the festival, Anam Kara Wellness and RISE Nordic Spa bookings are also available at itsbeyondthepale.ie/wellness

The final release of weekend tickets is currently underway, with Saturday and Sunday day tickets also limited. Glamping is nearly full too, while campervan passes are now 85% sold out.

Campers looking to start the weekend early can also avail of Thursday Early Access.

See the stage breakdowns below while the full timetables are available here.

 

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Folk Songs For Mama & Papa is a big record stitched together from small moments of wonder and joy. A strident piano pushes early highlight Last Night You Cried To Bach, as McCanns multi-tracked vocals conjure images of impossible love, expressed as a headlong leap off a cliff into the mysterious waves below.

These stripped-down moments bring awe and melancholy and showcase her ability to blend the confessional with the cathartic. On the cooing Love Free, for instance, McCann pledges to bring the stars to an important person in her life as a sudden synth groove intrudes, while she steps stridently into power ballad heaven with the purgatorial Famous.

A provocatively heartfelt collection concludes with For Kelly a love song that wears its feelings front and centre and which fades into the dusk in languid swirls of melody, as a crunching, metallic riff kicks in. Its a thrillingly ghostly ending to a haunting album.

7/10

That the Dervish team of Cathy Jordan, Brian McDonagh, Shane Mitchell, Liam Kelly and Tom Morrow can so comfortably embrace such diverse vocal styles as the late Moya Brennan, Eddi Reader, the Indigo Girls and the Del McCoury Band in itself speaks volumes. Yet despite the eminent guestlist, the knock-out track features the bands own captivating vocal stalwart, Cathy Jordan, on Shane MacGowans The Broad Majestic Shannon.

They go full pelt behind Moya Brennans lively original Tobar an tSaoil, and their warmth and fluency adds value to Hansards plaintive Leave A Light On, while the Indigo Girls take on John Spillanes Passage West suggests it merits more covers.

Meanwhile, Phil Coulters The Town I Love So Well not only survives its Atlantic crossing, but finds itself at ease in the downhome country treatment it gets from the Del McCoury Band. That focus on contemporary works, as well as the convincing results, dispel any notion that all our great folk songs come from the past.

Many of these works were not created specifically for a trad treatment, so the fact they work so well is a tribute to the flair brought to them by Dervish and their carefully-chosen accomplices. This series deserves to run and run.

8.5/10

It starts like Neil Diamond, morphs into Mtley Cre, and then turns into a proggy sibling to The Beatles magnificent Ive Got A Feeling, his scream proving theres life in the old Beatle yet.

Much of the album is autobiographical, reflecting on McCartneys youth in Liverpool from the poignant Salesman Saint, about his parents struggles to make ends meet, through the acoustic Down South, which pays tribute to his musical legacy, to the string-soaked tear-jerker, Momma Gets By.

The super-trippy Mountain Top reminds me of Strawberry Fields, while fellow Beatle Ringo Starr (who also released an impressive new solo album recently) contributes drums and vocals to Home To Us, complete with the kind of memorable chorus Macca has almost trademarked. Never Know is similarly gorgeous, the Mozart of melody proving hes still got the chops to pen perfect pop music.

Nostalgic ballad and single, Days We Left Behind, showcases McCartneys vocal range, as does the falsetto of Life Can Be Hard, where its allied to sumptuous orchestration, infectious melody, and more tempo changes than a horserace on a dodgy stream.

The overblown pop-rock of Ripples On A Pond and Come Inside, and the 70s chug-a-lug rock of Lost Horizon, remind us that Macca was in Wings too, but overall, this is a welcome return from the master.

8.5/10

The Boys of Dungeon Lane is out now and you can listen here.

Fresh from touring with The Last Dinner Party on their North American run, the four-piece Irish band have already shared stages with Wolf Alice, Sombre, and Olivia Rodrigo. They also played at Hot Press' History In The Making: The Concert this February and havent slowed down once over the past two years.

Originally from Bray and made up of childhood friends Lily Aron, Emma Brandon, Ailbhe Barry, and Hannah Kelly, the band first gained attention after their song `H'eavy' went viral on TikTok.

Florence Road at 3Olympia Theatre on May 27th, 2026. Copyright Jason Doherty/www.hotpress.com

Last year, they played a sold-out show at The Academy. This year they return to Dublin at the 3Olympia Theatre, again sold out. The main difference: last years setlist leaned on a variety of covers, whereas this year's is entirely original material. With no full album released yet, much of it remains unreleased.

That didnt stop Florence Road from delivering a smashing show, made all the more impactful as it marked the final night of their European tour. As an audience member, you could feel both the relief and catharsis from the band members, visible in their occasional tearful moments and in the clear joy they took in simply being on stage.

Florence Road at 3Olympia Theatre on May 27th, 2026. Copyright Jason Doherty/www.hotpress.com

The Olympia has not been spared by the heatwave. Still, the atmosphere is already buzzing and opener For Nina only pour more fuel on the fire with sharp drums and a powerful vocal presence.

Then, under flashing lights, Florence Road take to the stage and open with an unreleased track that leads straight into Figure It Out, a guitar heavy, grunge-tinged rock song whose chorus feels made to be shouted back in a room like this.

The stripped back stage setup on it gives each member space to stand out. Lily Aron is a captivating frontwoman, dancing freely and delivering lines with pure emotion. Bassist Ailbhe Barry is wearing a constant bright smile. Emma Brandon is fully immersed in her playing, locked into every tune and drummer Hannah Kelly is effortless as she switches between the drumset and the keyboard.

Florence Road at 3Olympia Theatre on May 27th, 2026. Copyright Jason Doherty/www.hotpress.com

The short pauses between songs create a fast-moving set. Heavy in particular resonates strongly with the crowd, its themes of unresolved emotion landing clearly. Tell me, tell me its not that heavy / Lie to my face and beg me not to cry, echoes through the room.

It's followed by an interlude into the emotional piano led ballad Rabbits Can Swim. The moment of quiet does not last long as the unreleased How Does It Make You Feel brings the energy back up again.

The fact that the set is largely made of unreleased material doesnt disrupt the flow, as the audience seems to know all the lyrics regardless. In an era dominated by streaming, its an impressive achievement that they can draw fans to songs that exist only as live recordings on YouTube.

Florence Road at 3Olympia Theatre on May 27th, 2026. Copyright Jason Doherty/www.hotpress.com

Florence Road are in constant exchange with their audience. This is evident, for example, when they respond to a fan holding up a poster requesting Another Seventeen, one of their earliest tracks. The song itself is characterised by hard-hitting instrumentation and a deep, driving bass line, making everyone jump.

The bands chemistry is marked by small joking interactions. Near the end, a coordinated fan initiative where the crowd holds up signs reading Well always miss you when youre not here almost brings Aron to tears. The encore finishes the job, making that emotion fully visible, a sweet moment for a band that are still so young.

The band leave the stage watched by a crowd that feels fully convinced they have just seen a band on the edge of something much, much bigger.

Coming ahead of Guns N' Roses' show this summer in 3Arena, the episode breaks down the mythology surrounding the record by recounting Paul Nolan's experiences seeing the band live in Dublin and Hong Kong.

In the new episode, Nolan examines the complex history surrounding the band and its lineup, with tensions between Axl Rose and other members, and the way these issues were historically reflected in their live shows.

He also insists on Rose's magnetic aura and the unmatched talent of the band, and the mayhem surrounding Guns N' Roses, going hand in hand with genius songwriting.

Elsewhere, Nolan explores the genius of the band's imagery, how quickly they became a fully realised proposition, and the incredible success and cultural phenomenon of their debut album Appetite For Destruction.

He also looks at the band's explosive chemistry in their early days and all the way into their current career, their implosion across 1996 and 1997, and their reunion in 2016 for the Not in This Lifetime... tour.

To wrap up the episode, Nolan brings back interviews with Slash where they discuss Guns N' Roses' outlaw attitude; and Duff McKagan from June 2024 where they explore his Irish roots and the brilliant imagery of the band.

Find out about this and more in the episode of Hot Press Classics, out now.

This episode was produced by Paul Nolan and edited by Flo Laurent.

Check it out below or on Apple Podcasts: