Stephen Byrne

This week’s round-up of the best new Irish music features debut EP’s from up-and-coming artists Sharkett and TroyOkay, the director’s cut of Kojaque’s Phantom of The Afters and Zaska Live at The Triskel.

Exciting new Dublin-based quartet Martina and the Moons have shared their second single ‘Omnibus Boners’ a blistering retort to ridiculous notion that women can’t create worthwhile music. The track takes aim at the redundant cliche of ‘being good for a girl’ and misogynous idea that pop music isn’t worthwhile because it is mostly made and consumed by women.

PostLast an unexpected alt-pop collaboration between Julie Hough (HAVVK) and Stephen McHale (BARQ) have shared their delightful debut single 'Connect 4',

This week’s round-up of the best new Irish music features the return of the band everybody loves to hate Picture This with ‘Parked Car Conversations’, OG Irish rapper Jehnova delivers ‘PCE God’ while Pier will hope to reap big rewards from his debut EP The Harvest, while Nashville based Northern Irish song writer Ben Glover returns with his first major release since 2018 ‘And The Sun Breaks Through The Sky’

The line-up for the 20th edition of Electric Picnic has been revealed with Stick Season star Noah Kahan, Australian pop legend Kylie Minogue and Superstar DJ Calvin Harris announced as headliners alongside Brit sensation Raye, Gerry Cinnamon and Irish soft rock superstars Kodaline.

We’re a quarter of the way through 2024 and much of the focus of Irish music has been upon the incredible international success of Kneecap, CMAT, Jazzy and Hozier who recently scored the first Irish No.1 single in America in donkeys years with the rather excellent single ‘Too Sweet’, while the likes of NewDad and Sprints have been making waves internationally following the release of their excellent debut albums.

Veteran Irish rockers Sack are continuing their second chapter with the release of new single Wake Up People (May 10th), the title track from their first album since 2001’s ‘Adventura Majestica’ which is set for release on October 18th.

Lemoncello - Interview

Julie Hough from HAVVK and Stephen McHale from BARQ teamed up to form alt-pop duo PostLast about a year ago and recently released their infectious debut single ‘Connect 4’ which sees the duo reconnecting with their inner child as they seek out new friendships as adults.

This year’s Wider Than Pictures series in Collins Barracks has an abundance of nostalgia on offer with performances from artists such as Deacon Blue, The The, James Blunt and Gossip lined up to appear this August. However, TikTok sensations Cat Burns and Sam Tompkins will open the series with a far more contemporary sound.