With Fontaines D.C. and Kneecap continuing to fly the flag for Irish music, a new crop of Irish acts are emerging in their slipstream. For the day that's in it, we round up five up and coming Irish artists worth hearing.
Allie Sherlock
If quick fix social media numbers have become an easy metric for record labels and PR types to quote, then Allie Sherlock is already a bit of a mega star. The 19-year-old Cork native has 3.2 million followers on Instagram, her YouTube channel has over 6.27 million subscribers, and with 3.9 million followers, her Facebook numbers are also impressive. So, plenty of online "engagement" but can she parlay that into the kind of ticket and album sales of her confessional singer songwriter peers like Gracie Abrams?
Behind the music: Allie Sherlock
A frequent Grafton Street busker, she can sure sing and her pithy songs about romance, heartache and resilience have pop chops to spare. Now signed to Patriot Records, which is owned by OneRepublic lead vocalist, Ryan Tedder, she is a number one priority for Universal Music in Ireland and she could be commanding stadiums within the next few years.
Skinner
Styled as an Irish No Wave provocateur, Skinner aka Aaron Corcoran kicked off 2025 with his debut album, New Wave Vaudeville, and it was a real mission statement
Boasting an eclectic range of influences, from Kid Creole and the Coconuts, to The Fall, Minutemen, and The Contortions, the Dubliner's mutant melange of punk and disco is inspired by the New York No Wave scene of the late '70s/early '80s. He's coined the term "slouch rock" to define his sound and he also lists The B52s and James Chance among his dizzying list of influences. It's mind and foot expanding stuff.
Cardinals
Last year, we asked if Cork five-piece Cardinals were the best new band in Ireland. The Kinsale act have certainly delivered with a brace of excellent singles and EPs and a burgeoning reputation as a live band. Grian Chatten of Fontaines D.C. is a fan and he has called them one of his favourite new Irish bands.
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Last June’s six-track debut EP ranged from the decidedly Smithsian indie pop bounce of Unreal to the menacing Amphetamines, and the throwaway Nineteen.
Very much products of Cork’s DIY music scene, Cardinals - who are all in their early twenties - have a band name like some sixties psych beat group on one of Lenny Kaye’s Nuggets compilations and a cinematic sound that hints at all kinds of future possibilities.
Cliffords
Try this on for cute - Cork four-piece Cliffords are named after one of the band member's dogs (not the big red one).
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Fronted by Iona Lynch, who has a whisper-to-a-scream voice, the band’s ornate indie pop overflows with melody and drama. They’ve just released their new single Bittersweet and just last night, they played Dermot Kennedy’s new Misneach festival in Syndey. Ethereal and intriguing, Cliffords have only just begun.
Róis
Fermanagh composer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and electronic artist Róis delves into our pagan past with a beguiling mix of folk, sean-nós, and jazz harmony. We're reminded of Swedish weird brains, The Knife, only with a decidedly Gaelic flavour.
Last year's album, Mo Léan, was self-released, written and produced by Róis with additional production from John Spud Murphy (OXN/Lankum), and was nominated for the Choice Music Prize.
With an experimental and contemporary edge, Róis draws inspirations from the likes of Meredith Monk, Marina Herlop and Daniela Lalita, spiriting up music that is refreshingly esoteric, mysterious, and both ancient and very new.
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