Best up-and-coming Irish bands to add to your St Patrick’s Day playlist

When you think of Irish bands, you might think of that one U2 album that ended up on everyone’s Apple Music in 2016. While I was one of the few people who welcomed that album, I’m pleased to say the tides are turning, and the vibes are shifting. There’s a mighty music scene emerging out of Ireland, and it’s good. Like really good.

For me, it’s coming at a perfect time. While I love the pop girls, I’ve recently been craving a sound that reminds me of my early adolescent angsty phase. I miss how I felt when I felt everything while listening to guitar bands like early Arctic Monkeys, The Libertines, Interpol, and The Strokes. I want to bang my head and mosh around at a party with too much guitar. I want to wear Converse and Vans to the club and live out my indie sleaze fantasies.

Part of this desire may be thanks to the Indie Sleaze fashion revival. The nostalgia for the peak hipster scum party years is, unfortunately, working on me. My eyeliner is smeared, my sheer black tights are ripped, there’s a cigarette hanging out of my mouth, and I’m waiting to hear that exquisitely perfect song.

And right now, all the fine guitar bands are coming out of Ireland. Inspired by indie sleaze and 90s/2000 grunge and blokecore bands, these gritty bands are guitar-heavy. They’re genre-blending in interesting ways, creating a scene that we’ll look back at in a decade and take note. 

It should be no surprise that Irish bands are producing innovative, infectious sounds. Ireland has long been synonymous with powerful, genre-defining music. From Sinéad O’Connor’s politically charged ballads that range from “Nothing Compares 2” U to “Famine” U2’s anthemic concerts for arena-packed crowds, Irish musicians have historically punched far above their weight in the global music scene. These artists carved out a space for Irish voices in mainstream music, using powerful storytelling, deftly articulated emotions, and raw instrumentation to carve out a distinct shape in rock and alternative genres.

Irish musicians are never afraid to be political — constantly defining themselves against the dominant culture (many times about what’s going on in London). In the 1980s, U2 redefined stadium rock with their soaring soundscapes and politically charged lyrics like “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “With or Without You.” They also confronted issues like HIV and staged massive shows in Africa, which was rare at the time. Meanwhile, Sinéad O’Connor turned Irish music on its head with her fierce persona and magnificent artistry — remember her most controversial moment in the spotlight (calling out the catholic church on SN) — a career “course-correction”.

Then you have bands like The Cranberries who defined an era of moody music with their alt sound. They’re still a favorite for every sad teen, for good reason. Then there’s The Pogues, who fused rock, folk, and punk influences into dynamic, distinctly Irish soundscapes. 

But Ireland’s musical legacy isn’t mired in nostalgia. Rehashing the classics is fine, but the next wave of Irish talent is turning traditional Irish rock on its head. For a tiny island, Ireland is making a big splash in contemporary alternative music. Yes, we’ve had the pleasure of Hozier and Niall Horan in the acoustic pop scene for the past few years, but there are fresh faces on the scene. And they’re hungry.

This fresh generation of Irish artists is proving that Ireland’s musical legacy is exploding. These bands are not just following in the footsteps of their predecessors — they’re carving their own path. As they gain global recognition, it’s clear that the heart of Irish music remains its ability to tell stories that resonate far beyond the Emerald Isle. Whether through punk aggression, dreamy shoegaze, or indie-pop hooks, these rising stars are redefining what it means to be an Irish artist in the 21st century.

Bands like Fontaines D.C., Inhaler, and NewDad are revolutionizing the Irish sound, pushing boundaries while still using the seanachí tradition that has defined Ireland’s music for centuries.

Here are some of our favorites:

Inhaler

Fronted by Elijah Hewson (son of U2’s Bono), Inhaler has emerged as one of Ireland’s most thrilling rock exports. But this is not yet another nepo baby band. Their music fuses indie rock with arena-ready anthems, meshing introspective lyrics and atmospheric guitar riffs. But they refuse to be defined, even by their past hits. Their debut album It Won’t Always Be Like This, balances youthful energy and polished production with tracks like the Gen Z male-manipulator anthem “My Honest Face” to the protest song “When It Breaks” and the distinctly Celtic “Now You Got Me.” While most bands would have been okay to coast on their crowd-pleasing success, the band took it up a notch with their sophomore album’s experimental tracks, Cuts & Bruises. 

Then, after a monster tour and supporting gigs with Arctic Monkeys, Harry Styles, Sam Fender, and Pearl Jam, they surprised fans again with their latest album, Open Wide. Their surprising switch to groovy, electronic sounds shows that they can truly do it all, crafting emotionally charged, festival-ready hits alongside contemplative love songs. Inhaler’s sound is a contempo extension of their Irish rock predecessors but with a slicker, more contemporary edge.

Fontaines D.C.

For Dublin-based, post-punk outfit Fontaines D.C., being Irish is integral to their identity — D.C. stands for Dublin City, and it’s literally in their name. Fronted by enigmatic and charismatic Grian Chatten, the band has a rep for raw, intense sound. With spoken-word-inspired vocals and driving basslines, their music is both urgent and reflective. They burst on the scene with Dogrel with songs like “Liberty Bell” and “Boys in the Better Land,” but really found their footing — and international success — with Skinty Fia. Tracks like “I Love You,” “Roman Holiday,” and the title track, “Skinty Fia,” were instant classics. 

Already one of the most exciting rock acts out there — not just in Ireland — they then abandoned their recognizable sound and gritty aesthetic to lean into love songs, with their signature style. The result: Romance, one of the hottest albums of 2024. No wonder NME named them the Best Band in the World. 

A word of advice: if you can see them live, run! Don’t walk! Their blend of punk aggression with poetic introspection makes them a must-listen for fans of politically-aware rock. They even got Barry Keoghan to star in their recent video for the song “Bug.” Pretty iconic.

Cardinals

Being given the co-sign by Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten helped Cardinals propel to new heights in their career. Cardinals — the up-and-coming Kinsale kids — released a self-titled debut EP last year. This landed them a Rolling Stone feature and a dedicated fanbase that is hungry for more. They’re like if The Pogues had rizz and no allegiance to their sound.

Kneecap

Fresh off their award-winning biopic success — a film that chronicles their origin story with a cameo appearance by German-Irish actor Michael Fassbender — Kneecap is here to take over the world. A fearless Belfast-based trio, Kneecap blends hip-hop with Irish trad, rapping in both English and Irish Gaelic. Their politically charged lyrics confront nationalism, identity, and cultural pride. Tracks like “H.O.O.D” and “C.E.A.R.T.A” are brimming with sharp wit, blending traditional Irish instrumentation with booming beats and sharp lyricism. 

NewDad

Out of Galway, NewDad crafts dreamy, shoegaze-inspired indie rock. They sit right in the pocket alongside contemporaries like Wet Leg, but with their particular Irish take. Hazy guitars and introspective lyrics create a sound that’s melancholic yet warm. Tracks like “Blue” and “Say It” showcase their knack for blending swirling soundscapes with classic indie storytelling that makes me feel like a teenager again. With influences ranging from The Cure to Wolf Alice, NewDad offers a fresh take on the indie rock genre, lacing their songs with emotional depth.

Cliffords

We love girl-led alt music. And Cliffords, fronted by Iona Lynch’s dreamy tones, delivers. They’re this generation’s answer to The Cranberries mixed with Sharon Van Etten.

Gurriers

Dublin’s Gurriers are redefining punk with their chaotic, high-energy. Known for blistering live shows and politically charged lyrics, Gurriers fuse heavy riffs with sharp social commentary. Tracks like “Approachable” and “Top of the Bill” bring a raw intensity reminiscent of early punk greats, while their DIY ethos echoes Ireland’s rich tradition of rebellious music-making.

Sprints

Post-punk band Sprints has emerged as one of the most exciting voices in Irish rock. Fronted by Karla Chubb, Sprints’ music confronts themes of identity, power, and frustration. Tracks like “Literary Mind” and “How Does The Story Go?” are visceral and unapologetically loud, blending distorted guitars with emotionally raw lyricism. Their fearless approach to lyrics and their electrifying stage presence make Sprints a standout in Ireland’s ever-evolving rock landscape.

The Love Buzz

The Love Buzz are brash, bold, playful, and alive. Tracks like “Sing! Sing!” will make you scream in your car along to songs like “No Different” that are surprisingly poignant.

Chalk

Rock songs aren’t all anguish and guitar — and club kids “Chalk” are the proof. Their Belfast-based electronic post-punk won them Best Live Act at the Northern Ireland Music Prize Awards 2023. Just playing them in my headphones makes me feel like I’m at one of the headbanging shows I ache for. Their recent EP Conditions III is about getting older in scary times — who else can relate? But if you’re like Chalk, you deal with your angst by going to the club.