Westmeath band The Academic play a surprise show tonight (17 December) at the Róisín Dubh in Galway. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
The fourpiece Formed in 2013 and have released two albums, Tales from the Backseat and Sitting Pretty. They also played support to the Rolling Stones in Croke Park in 2018.
The band recently played a gig at the 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin in October 2025 and were supported by rising Irish acts, Byro and Dog Swim, who were selected by The Academic as part of Three's City Stages campaign, spotlighting emerging talent from the Irish music scene.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Craig: Stephen’s first brush with fame was on Quizone, the Irish kids’ quiz show. He lost; we gained a band.
We once nearly got decapitated on a Texas highway by a flying bit of metal. Peak tour hazard vibe!
We argue a lot about which Nicolas Cage movies are the best, it’s basically our unofficial band pastime.
How would you describe your music?
Stephen: I think I would describe our music as confessional. Whether it’s an upbeat tune or a more tender number, we always wear our hearts on our sleeves. Honesty is the most important element.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Stephen: Everyone in the band brings a unique perspective, and this question would certainly have four different answers depending on who you ask. For me, The Replacements are a band I think about daily. Endlessly influential but somehow also underrated. Their mix of raucous energy and heartfelt lyrics is never far from my mind, whether we’re on stage or in the studio.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Dean: Oasis at Slane Castle. Hard to top as far as first gigs go. They also had The Prodigy and Kasabian on that day so it was a pretty formative experience.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Dean: Love Takes Miles by Cameron Winter; it’s been on repeat on all year so I see no issue with continuing the trend.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Craig : "Limitless undying love, which shines around me like a million suns, It calls me on and on across the universe." There are honestly a million Beatles lyrics I could’ve picked, but I’ve had Let It Be on repeat for like a year now and Across the Universe is such a lyrically beautiful song.
First record you ever bought?
Matt: It was Green Day’s American Idiot. I think that record got a lot of kids to pick up guitars around that time, it was my first introduction to punk rock in general.
What’s your favourite song at the moment?
Matt: Cure For Pain by Morphine. Fantastic instrumentation, moody but soulful.
Where can people find your music/more information.
Our website or on socials, just search @theacademic.
Alan Corr
