Music
Clodagh Rodgers: Eurovision star from Northern Ireland dies aged 78
Rodgers secured fourth place in the competition held in Dublin in 1971
Musician Oscar McLennan on the impact of his young son’s death: ‘I completely lost the power of words’
The tragedy changed everything for the songwriter, whose new instrumental album is a celebration of Ian’s life
Album Reviews
Trump took over the Kennedy Center. In Ireland we have a much subtler way of diminishing the arts
JD Vance’s arrival at the Washington venue sparked a viral drama. In Dublin, the National Concert Hall has suffered from decades of political indifference
Hozier joins Donald Trump, Keir Starmer and Hollywood stars on Time influence list
Wicklow musician described as being ‘as kind as they come’ in tribute from Noah Kahan
Irish stars CMAT, Grian Chatten and Jordan Adetunji make Forbes 30 Under 30 list
Prestigious list which honours those under 30 ‘making waves’ in Europe also includes writer-director Ronan Corrigan
The Music Quiz: What is the name of the Irish whiskey distillery backed by Bono?
Plus: What is the title of the debut album by Lexi Jones, the 24-year-old daughter of Iman and David Bowie?
‘You have to be delusional to be successful in anything’ – Bray Jazz Festival star Nubya Garcia
The saxophonist has seen huge changes in British jazz since her early performances. She’s now both a figurehead and a breakthrough international star
Tracy Chapman: ‘I have been labelled as a protest singer, and it’s not a label that I accept’
Chapman looks back on her self-titled debut and its powerful hit Fast Car, which has gained a second life as a country song
Composer Max Marcoll: ‘AI is its own prison. My job is to break as many bars as I possibly can’
Music Current 2025: Max Marcoll has already used his work to tackle social imbalances and music as a tool of torture. Now the composer is addressing intellectual property and artificial intelligence
The Music Quiz: Who was Woman of the Year at the 2025 Billboard Women in Music beano?
Plus: Which Sopranos actor appears in the music video for the Beastie Boys’ Make Some Noise?
Musician Amadou Bagayoko of Amadou & Mariam dies aged 70
Blind Malian musician won fame by moulding west African sounds with western pop influences
Paul Brady: ‘There’s a huge coterie of Irish nationalists who don’t want a United Ireland’
The singer has been reflecting on his life to compile The Archive, his new box set. It’s been a rich, rewarding six decades in music
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces new sex trafficking charges
Hip-hop star is in federal jail in Brooklyn awaiting trial next month
Bruce Springsteen to release seven ‘lost albums’ in June
Collection of 83 songs will include 74 that have never been officially released
Mike Scott: ‘Ireland is recovering from a long trauma, and opening out in to a liberal future. I feel very at home’
The Waterboys frontman on his adopted home and the band’s ambitious new album, based on the life and times of the Hollywood maverick Dennis Hopper
Irish composer John Buckley: ‘I never try to write music that’s difficult to play. It’s just the way it emerges’
Carol McGonnell performs Buckley’s new Clarinet Concerto as part of New Music Dublin festival 2025
The Music Quiz: David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane was inspired by which Evelyn Waugh novel?
A highly readable special quiz to tie into the Cúirt International Literature Festival
