Articles - Features

15 For ’15: Boyfights

Boyfights by Sean McCormack

Set to feature in physical form in our forthcoming January magazine, we continue 15 for ’15, a feature looking at fifteen Irish acts we’re absolutely convinced are going places in 2015. Over the first two weeks of January, we’ll be previewing each of those acts, accompanied by words from our writers and an original photograph by our wonderful team of photographers.

Next up: Galway quartet Boyfights.

Photo by Sean McCormack.

A year and a half of live performance under their belt, Galwegian quartet Boyfights look poised to expand their loyal western fanbase. Two summers ago, the band gained traction in various battles of bands across Galway City nightlife. Along the way, they became favorites of popular local venues like Roisin Dubh and The Cellar. Although scant releases of the band’s material online have given them limited exposure, the available sound plays to an indie-punk style redolent of early Weezer and Nirvana. Lead vocalist Liza McCann delivers sultry chops through pithy lyrics that sink lazily over her heavy-handed bass. Elsewhere, Simon McDonagh of Oh Boland veers between vocals, guitar and synth, Eoin Reilly provides a sharp contrast on his choppy guitar rhythms and Daniel Nestor punctuates the band’s attitude with a boisterous presence on percussion. Few performances outside Galway can they claim, but Boyfights stands ready to claim national recognition in 2015, if they’re up for the challenge. Joe Madsen