We made it. Another year, another chapter in the ever-expanding story of extraordinary Irish music. At the close of last year’s list, we dared 2024 to rise to the challenge. Twelve months later, this island’s unstoppable scene hasn’t just answered the call – it’s once again shattered expectations. Emerging voices and seasoned icons, bedroom producers and global trailblazers alike have flipped the script, raised the bar and delivered a tapestry of sound as diverse as it is thrilling. In our 2022 round-up, we noted how Irish music seemed to channel the chaos of the world, and that urgency hasn’t let…

Emerging from Cork’s world-beating scene, Cliffords are swiftly establishing themselves as one of the island’s most promising new bands. The five-piece alternative rock outfit features Iona Lynch (vocals), Daniel Ryan (drums), Harry Menton (guitar), Locon O’Toole (keys and synth), and Gavin Dawkins (multi-instrumentalist). Having played their first gig in 2022, they’ve already hit major milestones, including being handpicked by Dermot Kennedy for the line-up of Misneach, his St. Patrick’s Day festival in Sydney, where they’ll perform alongside Sorcha Richardson, Susan O’Neill, The Scratch and more. Following their debut at Other Voices, Ciara Byrne caught up with the band in Dick…

In their final Irish show with founding member Geoff Barrow, Beak> delivered career-spanning set at Dublin’s Button Factory that was, in a surprise to absolute nobody, borderline alchemical. Litronix provided equally special support. Photos by Ian Davies.

The Mary Wallopers live at Vicar Street in Dublin with support from Post Punk Podge. Photos by Seán Kelly

Villagers live at Leisureland in Galway with support from Owen Pallett. Photos by Ciaran O Maolain

Pillow Queens live at Vicar Street in Dublin with support from CABL. Photos by Seán Kelly

Confidence Man live at the 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin. Photos by Gemma Bovenizer

Soda Blonde at Vicar Street in Dublin. Photos by David McEneaney

Since co-founding The Thin Air back in the sands of time (2013) I’ve encountered my fair share of “guitar bands.” You know the type: bands wielding, invariably, at least one guitar and two members. Usually, there are four people, though sometimes there’s three. Historically, it’s just easier to think of these bands as guitar bands because sequestering them into little “indie rock” or “post-punk” boxes benefits no one. Of course, the latter tag continues to prove fortuitous – fiscally, at least – for certain PR companies on the mainland (read: England). Not to mention the ongoing quasi-fetishisation of white Irish…

For a country as small as Ireland, for many years now there has been no shortage of quality independent record labels from each corner of the island that have punched well above their weight in terms of output. While some, like Sligo’s always excellent Art For Blind, have called it a day in recent years, one of the burgeoning newer labels picking up the mantle is Blowtorch Records, founded by Richard Burke in early 2019 and increasingly involved with some of the finest records coming out of these shores. Though based in Galway, their roster covers the length and breadth…