Music
05 Feb 26

Hot For 2026: Irish Acts To Watch This Year

Your in-depth guide to the rising homegrown stars set to make a major impact in 2026.

BABYRAT

The latest in a thrilling run of hotly tipped bands to emerge from Cork in recent years, this five-piece are bringing a brazenly bold edge to power-pop. They’ve already turned the heads of some big-name agents, promoters and industry people in the process, and landed support slots with the likes of The Coronas, Feeder and The Frank & Walters. As you’ll gather from their social media, they’ve also got a serious penchant for pink.

Hear: ‘Talk Talk (Demo)’ on Bandcamp

Watch: They support THUMPER at The Academy in Dublin on March 4

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Zoé Basha

When she’s not day-jobbing as a carpenter, or singing as one-third of Rufous Nightjar, this Dublin-based musician and composer can be found blurring the boundaries between American ragtime, Appalachian mountain songs, and traditional Irish music, in her own utterly unique way. Gamble, her full-length debut, was named The Guardian’s Folk Album of the Month upon its release last year – and made it on to two Grammy Award shortlists.

Hear: Debut album Gamble

Watch: Her cover of Julia Jacklin’s ‘Good Guy’, recorded in the back of a van in the Burren

bbft

Punk, rave, jungle, anime soundtracks – you name it – this Louth duo offer it all in their unapologetically colourful sound collages. There’s something uplifting about bbft's in-your-face sonic saturation, with the pair also gaining traction for their dynamic and original multimedia stage show.

Listen: ‘FLOWEREMOJI’

Watch: bbft support CHALK on their Irish and Scottish tour dates in May

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Black Nylon

Fontaines D.C.-gone-nu-metal-meets-The Doors sort of describes these Dublin noisemakers, who formed from the “debris of other musical projects”. Their sound is raw, dark and powerful, so much so that they’ve got a number of supports with the likes of Inhaler under their belt, on top of selling out their own shows.

Listen: ‘Art’

Watch: Black Nylon play Borderline's opening night launch party at The Workman's Club on February 19

Black Nylon at Whelan's on October 10th, 2025. Copyright Grace Swartout/ hotpress.com

Dylan Bradley And The Heat

After earning plenty of acclaim with Derry punks Parker, Maiden City musician Dylan Bradley debuted his suitably scorching solo project last summer. Inspired by trips to the States, unrequited love and ’90s slacker rock bands like Pavement and Weezer, the laurels-phobic songwriter has already released a brace of hook-laden singles. The Beeb and Nordie newspapers like Sunday Life love him, and you will too, once you hear the fiendishly catchy ‘Susana’.

Hear: ‘Makes Me Feel Good’

Watch: The video for ‘Susana’

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Broncos

Gnarly distorted riffs, screamo vocals and sweet emo choruses from these Norn Iron post-hardcore rockers will have you banging your head. You’ll be joining plenty of others too, with the group becoming fixtures of the live circuit in their base city of Belfast.

Listen: New single ‘Hold Me’

Watch: The video for ‘Erode’

Brooki

No relation to Jersey Shore’s Snooki (we think), Brooki are instead a Dublin-based four-piece, whose atmospheric sound has been tagged as ‘folk grunge’ – a mesh of ’90s alt-rock underneath Cohen, Dylan and Mitchell-inspired lyricism. That concoction has been working for them, having toured Ireland and the UK throughout October, and supported The Wombats at the Olympia in December – all without releasing a tune at the time of writing.

Listen: Their debut single (whenever it arrives)

Watch: Their performance at Borderline 2026 later this month

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Bucket

Following the 2025 release of their fearlessly raw and intense debut EP Muck; support slots for the likes of Maruja and Press Club; and coveted spots on the line-ups for Primavera Sound and Eurosonic, this three-piece are primed for a serious breakthrough in 2026. The noise-rock band – featuring a few familiar faces from the Dublin scene – are signed to independent Irish label A Baker’s Dozen.

Hear: Muck EP

Watch: Their run of Irish dates with Heavy Lungs continues with shows in Limerick, Cork and Waterford.

Child Of Prague

Expanding over the years from a two-person writing project to a genre-crossing six-piece – featuring members from Dublin, San Francisco, Boston, London and Tipperary – Child Of Prague kicked the year off with a stunning Eurosonic set. 2025 saw the group score support slots with the likes of Gurriers, SOAK and Casual Riots – and capture their “Irish take on midwest emo” on vinyl, with the release of their debut EP, Clothed In The Sun, via Faction.

Hear: Clothed In The Sun

Watch: The video for EP highlight ‘Basking Sharks’

Cicada

There’s a soulful air of Fleetwood Mac about these throwback folk-rockers. Formed by BIMM students, Cicada impressed Hot Press judges at the UCD Battle of the Bands earlier this year, with their sweet harmonies, tight musicianship, and a rock-and-roll stage presence indicating a band wiser beyond their years.

Hear: Their debut single when it arrives in due course

Watch: Behind the scenes shenanigans on the band’s TikTok

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Croíthe

Famed for their captivatingly intense live show, this Dublin post-punk band served up a hugely impressive first offering in 2025, in the form of the wonderfully dark and moody A Brief Respite EP, produced by David Noonan of Just Mustard. They only came together as a four-piece in 2024, after recruiting their drummer Keevy via TikTok, but have already gained serious momentum – with their EP debuting at No.1 on the Official Irish Vinyl Albums Chart in November.

Hear: A Brief Respite EP

Watch: The black-and-white video for ‘The Diver’

Dead Goat

Step aside Fantastic Four – there’s a new supergroup in town and they’re called Dead Goat. Boasting an impeccable pedigree, the folk band feature a feast of NI royalty in their ranks, including Malojian’s Stevie Scullion, The Lost Brothers’ Mark McCausland, the Basement’s Decky McManus, and Hot Press fave Matt McGinn. Initially starting out as a casual jam session among mates, Dead Goat grew into something bigger. Now they’ve got a tasty self-titled debut LP on the way this March, which is sure to anoint them as the North’s answer to the Travelling Wilburies.

Hear: ‘Laughs For The Lonely’

Watch: Their performance at Kilkenny Roots Festival on May 2.

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deathtoricky

An underground hero on the verge of a major breakthrough, this Celbridge-born rapper was the 2025 success story no one saw coming. Alongside the likes of Travy, he’s become the face of Irish hip-hop for a whole new generation – clocking up millions of streams, releasing his spring cleaning and #ikfly projects, and linking up with UK rappers like YT, all in the past year alone.

Hear: #ikfly

Watch: The Cian Bolger-directed video for ‘polo’

Digdeep

These Dubliners describe themselves as a “swamp noise, bog rock quintet” and live up to the billing with scuzzy guitars – and even scuzzier vocals from Mort Bogman (we really hope it’s his real name). Leaning heavily towards the avant garde, they’re a rollickingly good live act as anyone who was in The Grand Social last October for the Issue.02 night will attest. They’re back in the Liffeyside venue tonight (February 5) for a show that also features Grá and a Fizzy Orange DJ set.

Hear: Their Bog EP

Watch: The in-yer-face ‘Bog Body’ video on YouTube

Delush

From support slots with Aslan and Somebody’s Child, to packed-out headline shows and ecstatically-received festival appearances, this brilliantly bold four-piece have established themselves as serious ones-to-watch over the past 12 months. Proudly flying the flag for Tallaght – while also attracting the attention of big international industry players – Delush capped off 2025 with their latest single ‘Got Sick’, produced by Shea Tohill of Somebody’s Child, and mastered by three-time Grammy winner Alan Douches.

Hear: Debut EP Famous, out now on pink vinyl

Watch: The video for ‘Got Sick’ – shot in iconic Dublin pub Fallon’s

Durt Burd

It’s been another massive 12 months for this West Belfast rapper – with the release of his 15-track DB SZN VOL. 1 mixtape via local label Wonka Wave Records, featuring contributions from the likes of INK, Jun Tzu, Crutch and Leo Miyagee. Shaped by his experiences with addiction and grief, the mixtape is a powerful showcase of the enigmatic artist’s raw storytelling chops, in both English and Irish. He’s since kicked off a brand new chapter – unveiling a fresh new mask during a run of festival slots.

Hear: DB SZN VOL. 1

Watch: The video for ‘She Wanna Dance’ featuring MajinSYG

Echo Northstar

Moody ambient soundscapes are the order of the day for this artist, who also cites shoegaze, ’60s pop and noise rock as his, well, north stars. You never quite know what you’ll get with this Waterford soundweaver – some of his songs are 15 minutes long, while others are punchier affairs. A beguiling mix, it also makes for a wonderful live experience, so Echo Northstar has an enviable amount going for him.

Hear: The 15-minute epic ‘Murmurs’

Watch: His headline show at Curveball in The Button Factory on February 12.

Eppie

Named after frontwoman Palomi’s younger sister, this Dublin-based three-piece have been steadily building a reputation on the homegrown scene with their effortless blend of tender bedroom pop and ’60s/’70s psychedelic influences. Following their 2025 First Name Basis EP, and a sold-out headline show in the Grand Social Ballroom, they’re now kicking off a new era, with their Songs Of Sunshine project coming soon.

Hear: Latest single ‘Listening To Charm’

Watch: Eppie support Lara Fitzsimons at Whelan’s on February 20.

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F3miii

A long-time collaborator of Bricknasty and an increasingly unmissable solo artist, F3miii has built a reputation as one of the most interesting voices on Ireland’s alternative R&B scene, thanks to his brilliantly infectious rhythms. In 2025, he performed at Forbidden Fruit and the IMRO Venue Awards, while also amassing millions of streams on Spotify

Hear: ‘NOBLE’

Watch: His live performance as part of the At The Bunker series.

For Nina

After releasing their debut single in late 2023, the Dublin three-piece have seen a steady rise over the last year, performing at They’ve Only Just Begun festival and accompanying Cruel Sister and more acts at the Grand Social’s Halloween party. With their hard-hitting sound, layered with an atmospheric quality courtesy of singer Holly Owens, the band have shown remarkable potential and are only growing in confidence.

Hear: ‘Hounds’

Watch: The official video for latest single 'Swallow'

Goldbug

Franco-Irish musician Danilo Ward blends orchestral soundscapes with cinematic and expansive melody, while maintaining an affinity with lo-fi indie flavours. Releasing his debut single this year, Ward has extensively worked with NewDad collaborator Chris W Ryan, collaborated with Crash Ensemble as part of the 2025 MusicTown event, and was also selected as one of the Perform Together Now acts at All Together Now.

Hear: ‘Pendulum’

Watch: The official video for debut single 'Losing The Swing'

Haylar

The musical project of Dublin-based electronic artist Lisa McLaughlin, with production coming from Karl Odlum, Haylar is an incredibly distinct electronic act lined with ’80s flavours, dreamy synths, ambient soundscapes and Enya-esque vocals. She's already garnered a significant amount of airplay and critical acclaim across Ireland and the UK.

Hear: ‘Seven Colours’

Watch: BTS clips and concert announcements on instagram @haylarmusicofficial

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Heron Red

The brainchild of Molly Buchan and Callum Wall, Heron Red was born in 2024 after the two had spent years playing in each other’s band. The dynamic folk duo quickly started to garner major attention around the country with their joyful sound, which blends traditional Irish music with Americana, country and folk, lined with compelling lyricism and poetic depth.

Hear: Heron Red EP

Watch: Heron Red live at Hawk's Well Theatre Bar

Christopher Hockey

The Cork multi-instrumentalist put out a string of excellent singles in 2025, leading up to a forthcoming debut album that’s sure to make waves. Gorgeously blending shoegaze, indie and folk influences, the album was created after Hockey spent the last year writing and collaborating with local artists. The result is a beautiful mix of swirling guitars, dreamy vocals and orchestral strings – truly soundscapes to lose yourself in.

Hear: ‘I Need You’

Watch: The Old Quarter Session version of ‘Turn My Back’ on Instagram

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Jesse June

Since his blissed-out breakout single ‘Yesterday’ in 2024, the Irish-Nigerian singer has continued to impress with his adventurous brand of neo soul. His 2025 tracks, ‘Countdown’ and ‘Optimistic’, highlight an artist with both real emotional depth and a knack for writing memorable, radio-friendly choruses. June has already reached an international audience courtesy of making it on to the Normal People soundtrack.

Hear: ‘Optimistic’

Watch: The ‘Countdown’ music video

The Labourers

Originally formed in London by Conor Bogue and Michael Hickey, the punk-flavoured trad outfit moved back to Ireland in 2023 and recruited Dylan O’Shea and Euan Hickey. In 2025, they featured in Dublin’s Trad Fest, headlined Ruby Sessions, and played slots at The Greenfields Festival, Éalú Le Grá and Electric Picnic, showing off their unique blend of rowdy influences to an ever-growing number of fans.

Hear: ‘Too Fast’

Watch: The Labourers live at the Ruby Sessions on Youtube Shorts

Taylor Lally

This Down artist has earned a reputation as one of the hardest working tunesmiths around. When she’s not playing shows and sharing stages with the likes of Mary Coughlan and Teddy Thompson, the BIMM graduate and former Artist In Residence at the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival is releasing some stunning tunes. Inspired by masters of storytelling James Taylor and John Martyn, Lally has recently teamed with songwriter and producer Ian Barter, who’s co-penned tracks with the likes of Dermot Kennedy. The first fruits of their labours was ska-tinged single ‘Yabadabadooda’, which boasted one of the best hooks of 2025.

Hear: ‘Yabadabadooda’

Watch: Her Dock Street Studios live session on YouTube

LARAbEL

After signing to independent Irish label Beo Records at the start of last year, Donegal singer-songwriter LARAbEL released her debut EP Squiggle, and has already been pinned as one of Ireland’s most exciting up-and-comers. Specialising in ethereal soundscapes rooted in naturalistic ambience and Irish tradition, the musician has also proven an unmissable live act, with slots at Electric Picnic and Glastonbury, and headline shows in Whelan’s.

Hear: ‘Pigeon Song’

Watch: Her mini documentary about her debut headliner at Whelan's

Lil Skag

An increasingly difficult to ignore force on Ireland’s buzzing hip hop scene, the Wexford rapper has enjoyed a rapid rise, thanks to collaborations with artists such as Curtisy, Sugaboo, Ahmed, With Love, Alex Gough and more. With the release of his album Type Shit last year, Lil Skag continues to win new converts with his brand of soft drill, flavoured with contemporary trap elements and unapologetic Irishness.

Hear: ‘London Burning’

Watch: The ‘Yurt Cobain’ music video

Makeshift Art Bar

The Belfast four-piece made waves last year with the release of their celebrated debut EP, Lackluster Writing Makes Fundamental Reading, pinned by our main man Stuart Clark as “decidedly uneasy listening – and all the better for it.” With their heavy, pulsating soundscapes, the band have already earned themselves an agency deal with ATC Live, support slots with Chalk, and numerous festival sets across the country.

Hear: ‘Notice Me’

Watch: ‘Bedwetter’ live from the Village Underground

The Marra

Blending influences from Britpop and classic indie with a unique melodic flair, the Derry five-piece are a real treat for fans of The Strokes and Television. Previously praised by the likes of Noel Gallagher, The Marra recently opened for Ash at their December Belfast gig, while this year, they’ll support Scustin at their hometown show in Derry.

Hear: ‘Falling Off’

Watch: They support Scustin at Derry's Nacional de Cuba tonight, February 5

Mount Palomar

Launched in early 2018, Mount Palomar is the project of Belfast-based producer Neil Kerr. Just days after his first live performance, Kerr received an invitation to perform at the world famous Berghain club in Berlin. He’s also cemented himself as one of Europe’s freshest electronic acts, confirmed by an incredible string of releases through 2025, including collaborations with SPRINTS’ Karla Chubb, Makeshift Art Bar and more.

Hear: 'Drag' featuring Naomi Banks

Watch: The music video for ‘Little Fractures’ ft. Pip Blom

The Null Club

Alan Duggan-Borges is already well-established as the guitarist for influential noiseniks Gilla Band. His new solo project The Null Club is loud and experimental, and April’s self-titled EP is sure to test your speakers, courtesy of crushing electronic soundscapes and eerie spoken word soliloquies.

Hear: The Null Club EP

Watch: The trippy visualiser for ‘Slip Angle’

Officer John

Formed by Amsterdam-based Niall Rogers, Officer John issued their debut single ‘Stay’ last year, and have since released several shoe-gazey and delightfully atmospheric rock numbers, always lined with transporting riffs and hard-hitting bass lines. With over 100k monthly listeners across streaming platforms, Officer John sold out their debut London show, were the first act announced for this year’s Croílár Music & Arts Festival, and also showcased their hazy sound last month at Eurosonic.

Hear: ‘Onwards’

Watch: Officer John's set at Croílár Music & Arts Festival this April

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Ellie O’Neill

Having already established herself as an unmissable live act, opening for the likes of Adrianne Lenker, John Francis Flynn and Dove Ellis, and playing a number of festival slots, Meath’s Ellie O’Neill released her first tracks in late 2025, proving herself a gorgeously complex songwriter with a flair for poignant melodies.

Hear: ‘Little Sister’

Watch: ‘Bohemia’ live at Other Voices 2024

Pebbledash

Joining the healthy lineage of Irish shoegazers, Cork’s Pebbledash are also prone to including a dash of Gaeilge on tunes like ‘Carraig Aonair’, which featured in Netflix series House Of Guinness. For a full sample of the five-piece’s sweet harmonies and guitarscapes, check out their November EP To Cast The Sea In Concrete.

Hear: To Cast The Sea In Concrete

Watch: The video for ‘Carraig Aonair’

Porter Boys Social Club

Imagine if Woody Guthrie joined The Velvet Underground, and you have some idea of Porter Boys Social Club’s unique vibe. Reportedly grown in a secret lab in South Monaghan, these lads deploy acoustic guitars and banjos to buttress their tongue-in-cheek musings on hangovers and rural life.

Hear: November single ‘Cruel Britannia’

Watch: Their cover of ‘Black Boys On Mopeds’ for Raidió na Life

PREYRS

This newly minted band of seasoned songsmiths gave rock fans an early Christmas present last year, in the form of their cracking debut LP The Wounded Healer. Led by Lisburn legends and long time collaborators Amy Montgomery and Michael Mormecha (from the should’ve-been-huge Mojo Fury), the project marks an exciting new chapter in their shared musical story. Those who worship diabolically good riffs and miraculous vocals from the heavens will fall to their knees for PREYRS.

Hear: The Wounded Healer

Watch: The video for ‘Wave Of Wisdom’

Really Good Time

It’s comforting, in the age of superficiality, to have a band that does what they say on the tin. Boasting a solid catalogue of singles and EPs, as well as a bonkers live show, this frenetic rock trio are all the best parts of LCD Soundsystem and early 2000s U2, with some Viagra Boys irreverence thrown in for good measure.

Hear: Latest single ‘Shit One’

Watch: The incredible video for ‘Pension Fund’

Search Results

Fuzzy and hypnotic psych-rock rhythms, alongside vocals ranging from theatrical to primal, indicate Jack Condon and Fionn Brennan have been pouring healthy doses of Oh Sees atop their Weetabix. They’re similarly prolific, with a long list of singles and two albums already to their name, including 2025’s epic LP Go Mutant.

Hear: Go Mutant

Watch: Their live performance for Rockpalast at Eurosonic 2025 on YouTube.

Stella And The Dreaming

Opting for a stripped-back sound of piano with angelic layered vocals, this Waterford artist's music is beautifully contradictory, simultaneously cinematic and lo-fi, forlorn and uplifting.

Hear: The gorgeous ‘In Another Life’

Watch: Stella And The Dreaming live at The Workman’s Club on her YouTube channel

Rory Sweeney

Already a lauded behind the scenes figure thanks to his intricate production work for the likes of Curtisy, Rory Sweeney released one of the most intelligently assembled Irish albums of 2025, Old Earth. The LP weaved themes of nature, mythology and hauntology in modern Ireland, incorporating elements of ambient, folk and electronic, boasting an impressive list of features to boot.

Hear: Old Earth (via Bandcamp) with headphones on and the lights off

Watch: The video for 'As Old As Time Itself' featuring RÓIS

Telekura

These psych-poppers take their name from a Japanese phone-dating service. If that’s not enough to win you over, then the talented band’s rich fusion of ’80s synths, confident vocals and artful production will – as heard on their short-but-sweet 2025 EP Astral Hell.

Hear: Astral Hell

Watch: Their live session for Raidió na Life

The Thing Is...

Hailed by Those In The Know up north as potentially the next big breakout band from the six counties, these indie-rockers have a truckload of hooks and star quality. Formed by some school friends in Downpatrick and following in the footsteps of neighbours Ash and The Answer, they’ve toughened up their sound recently, and fortified their music with more meaty riffs and lots of melody and attitude. One of NI’s most explosive new live bands, if you love the likes of Paramore and Wolf Alice, you’ll adore this lot.

Hear: ‘COINT’

Watch: Instagram for live show announcements

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Ria Timkin

This cinematic alt-pop artist has already conquered Glastonbury, earned a legion of new fans at Belfast’s Output Festival, and been played and praised by the BBC. This year, she sets her sights on world domination. Buoyed by the success of her recent anthem ‘Our Time’, Timkin’s tracks are driven by expressive vocals and confessional lyrics, and recommended for fans of Chvrches and Kate Bush. This April, Ria unveils her new EP Favourite Child, which promises to be a reputation-making release.

Hear: ‘Our Time’

Watch: She supports Beauty Sleep at The Union Bar in Belfast on February 12

Ultras

They’re not going to scrap you for wearing the wrong colours, but like a posse of diehard football fanatics, Ultras are full-blooded, loud and passionate. They had a solid 2025, releasing a hat-trick of singles that suggest a call back to the pacy, catchy and guitar-focused indie-rock of the 2000s.

Hear: Latest single 'Some Flowers'

Watch: The Dublin-set video for ‘The Dream’

Lauren Wallace

Still just a teenager, Dublin folk-pop singer-songwriter Lauren Wallace’s tunes suggest an adroitness beyond her years. Last year’s Salt Stained Lungs EP rightly perked a lot of ears, garnering support from radio as well as a number of fans, who’ll soon be bragging about how they discovered her before the rest of the world.

Hear: Her ethereal Salt Stained Lungs EP

Watch: The video for her collaborative track with Blair Gilmour, 'Didn't Wanna Try'

Vaticanjail

Chilean-born, Dublin-based and not actually interned by his Holiness at St Peter’s Basilica, Vaticanjail’s music could be described as a hyperpoppy, digitised concoction of PinkPantheress
and FKA Twigs. Her debut EP SWEETS BAR landed in September, showcasing a range that covers everything from slow-burning piano tracks to racing EDM bangers.

Hear: The SWEETS BAR EP

Watch: Her performance at the TONN GUTHANNA event in Wigwam on March 6

Van Panther

This Limerick outfit put new meaning on the term genre-bending with their October debut album, Icarian. The project pulsated with a neat collage of mathy rhythms, jazzy chords, indie-rock grit, nu-metal vocals and dark lyrics.

Hear: Icarian

Watch: ‘The Old Country’ music video

Wallfella

There’s something about the Dublin accent that lends itself to smooth hip-hop. That’s the case for northsider Wallfella anyway, whose slick flow, authenticity and witty colloquialisms nestle nicely on some chill R&B-tinted beats, on his recent seven-track offering The Coop Is Full.

Hear: Kick your feet up with his newest project

Watch: Highlights from his recent Whelan's gig on Instagram

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The Wran

Folk is finding its way into the minds of young artists across Ireland, including those from the Comeragh Mountains in Waterford, where brothers Tommy, Danny, Sean and Stephen Dunford cite the likes of Planxty and Lankum as influences. The result is a fresh fusion of droning harmonies, trad riffage and powerful storytelling, as showcased on their debut single ‘Some Say The Devil Is Dead’.

Hear: ‘Some Say The Devil Is Dead’

Watch: The video for ‘Sullivan’s John’, shot at the Tallow Horse Fair.

The WU

A north Dub three-piece comprising childhood pals Daniel Brady, Ciaran White and Daniel Kearns, The WU combine catchy indie hooks and ‘60s rock sensibilities, with reverbed guitars and Kinksy vocals on the menu. Furthermore, they were involved in one of last year’s more surprising – and welcome – collaborations, when Belters Only man Robbie Griffiths hopped on production duties for the Oasis-gone-surf single ‘Off My Head’.

Hear: ‘Off My Head’

Watch: Their date-night-gone-wrong video for ‘The Weight’

Youngiz

Having spent some time building his name and hovering on the verge of a major breakthrough, 2025 saw this Leixlip rapper’s profile dramatically increase. That’s thanks to a feature on Travy’s chart-topping SPOOKY project, as well as his own sledgehammer single ‘JAY-Z’ , which sits at over 400,000 Spotify streams – and counting.

Hear: His gnarly tag team with Elzzz on ‘SHARKS and FISHES’

Watch: His excellent ‘On The Radar’ Freestyle

Chartbusters:

Jamie Duffy

Through his captivating blend of classical, traditional and contemporary influences, this young Monaghan composer/multi-instrumentalist has emerged as the country’s most unassuming, record-smashing streaming sensation. Following the release of ‘Solas’ (the most streamed debut single by an Irish artist since Hozier’s ‘Take Me To Church’), Jamie has continued to defy the odds – topping the indie chart with his debut album; supporting the likes of Andrea Bocelli and Hans Zimmer; and scoring his first feature film, the upcoming 500 Miles.

Hear: His self-titled debut album

Watch: His live performance of 'Resonance' for Fanning at Whelan's

Florence Road

For the Bray rockers, 2025 was a prolific 12 months of mixtapes, impressive singles and special guest sets with Olivia Rodrigo, The Last Dinner Party and Wolf Alice. Those acts hint at Flo Ro’s sound; roaring with arena worthy riffs, pounding drums and Lily Aron’s so-good-it’s-a-bit-ridiculous vocals. We should mention their brilliant Academy headliner in November too – and there’s more live action in the offing, with the group playing the Olympia in May.

Hear: Their debut mixtape Fall Back

Watch: The stylish video for ‘Storm Warnings’

Nell Mescal

It was clear early on that Nell Mescal had a precocious ear for songs of candour, so we’re not too shocked she’s gone from penning viral tunes at the piano in her family home in Maynooth to working with acclaimed Adrianne Lenker producer Philip Weinrobe. Their collaboration has been a fruitful one, with Mescal’s evolving sound displayed on her new EP The Closest We’d Get – a project glittering with ambrosial choruses, folky production and fleeting romances.

Hear: The delightfully assembled The Closest We’ll Get EP

Watch: Her live performance of the EP title track on The Late Late Show

Reggie

Fred Again.. picked out this rapper for his 10 Weeks, 10 Songs, 10 Cities project, remixing his track ‘Talk of the Town’ and turning it into last year’s most prophetic refrain. Reggie takes drill and injects it with his own punchy and confident bars, and he’s also enjoying streaming figures in the millions. Dynamic and not afraid to be heartfelt when the occasion demands, this artist from Louth’s fertile hip-hop pastures is definitely on the up.

Hear: His May banger ‘Is She Bad?’

Watch: Reggie joining Fred Again.. for ‘Talk of The Town’

Madra Salach

A lot of people whose musical opinions you’d respect (us) had been talking about this Dublin folk six-piece before they even released a single. They sound like Shane MacGowan stumbling upon a Lankum practice, thanks to singer Paul Banks’ gallows humour and impassioned singing, which find their place atop snowballing instrumental drones. Support slots for Kneecap and festival appearances await Madra Salach in 2026, and their live shows are where their trad tsunamis are best felt. Do yourself a favour and catch them where you can.

Hear: Their newly released debut EP, It's A Hell Of An Age.

Watch: Their performance of 'Blue & Gold' on The Tommy Tiernan Show