Countdown to Longitude: Irish Acts to Watch

Opinion
28 Jun 22

Aby Coulibaly Body & Soul Festival 2022 at Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath, 17th– 19th June. Copyright Ruth Medjber.

The Full Irish: More of the homegrown heroes flying the flag at Longitude.

49th & Main

Having garnered streams in their millions, it’s only a matter of time before this Kilkenny electro-pop duo explode onto the global stage. After producer Ben O’Sullivan was diagnosed and began receiving treatment for a rare blood disorder, the pair threw themselves into their music. Since then, 49th & Main have made major moves in the industry – including signing to Ninja Tune’s imprint Counter Records.

Bailey333

Also known as Lil Bay, the Dublin rising star was initially inspired to start making music after watching the TV series Empire over lockdown. Since then, he’s gone viral on TikTok – and marked himself as a serious one-to-watch with 2021’s ‘Cheetah’, which won praise from fellow Longitude performers Belters Only, among others.

Aby Coulibaly

Tipped as one of our ‘Hot For 2022’ Irish Acts, the Dubliner is on the verge of a major mainstream breakthrough. Following the success of her debut single, ‘Taurus’, which has clocked up over 2.2 million Spotify streams since its release in 2020, she continues to infuse her music with both the sights and sounds of Dublin, and elements inspired by her Senegalese heritage.

Plantain Papi

After selling out his headline show at The Academy 2, this multi-talented artist has turned plenty of heads on the Irish scene this year. Since emerging in 2017, the Dublin artist has continued to expand his style across a series of well-received, self-produced singles, boldly fusing elements of hip-hop, Afrobeat and pop – and has joined forces with the likes of Alicia Raye, Prod Solo, and Mango x Mathman.

Monjola

Following an appearance on Tebi Rex’s ‘Robbin’ Szn’, the Dublin-bred artist has built up a reputation as one of Ireland’s most innovative alt-R&B talents – landing coveted spots on an impressive selection of Spotify’s editorial playlists. Following 2021’s ‘Smile’, which has been streamed nearly 1.9 million times on the platform, he teamed up with one of his Chamomile Records co-founders, Aby Coulibaly, on ‘Where u at’.