Ten great Irish music acts to catch in 2026
From Shark School to SexyTadhg and Dove Ellis to Hotgirl, here’s who’s tipped to take over in the year ahead
Damien Rice
Musician
Keaton Henson: Parader review – An escape hatch from the tumult of everyday life
Keaton Henson’s new album is partly informed by his teenage love of grunge. But don’t expect a headbanger’s delight
David Gray: Dear Life review – Lean into this raw, bumpy album. It’s well worth the effort
Never mind that he’s British. David Gray might be the most consequential Irish songwriter of his generation
Council to run the rule over Portobello house revival as Hugh Wallace deviates from the plan
Plus: Michael H Burke not sweating it over Ailesbury Road house price, Politico takes aim at ‘Europa Experience’ centres, and Fontaines DC are doing just nicely
Buying records, DVDs and physical books: A 2024 resolution for culture lovers
Aoife Barry: I don’t want to leave the albums I love to linger in the digital air, untethered to me and my world, so that’s why I’m back buying vinyl
The Busk: Bono, The Frames, Damien Rice and more sing a song for the homeless
Folk, rock and spoken word collide on this pleasant charity album
Ed Sheeran live at Croke Park: ‘Nothing beats Saturday night in Croker does it?’
Review: The first of the singer’s series of large Irish gigs was epic and heartfelt
Peter Doran: Voices review – The music is willing but the lyrics are weak
Doran has just about enough of his own thing going on, even if doubts linger
From Bell X1 to Berlin, and a treehouse in Co Wicklow
After almost three decades in the music industry, Brian Crosby has just released his solo debut
Normal People: Who are the Irish musicians on the soundtrack?
The TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel is a shop window for the best of Irish music
Adam Cohen: ‘Dad, I know you’re not happy with this . . .’
Leonard Cohen’s son on his dad’s final days and being his late father’s producer
Leonard Cohen: Thanks for the Dance posthumous album announced
New album will feature unheard material and various collaborations with Damien Rice, Beck and Bryce Dessner of the National
Get Brecht at the NCH: The week’s best rock and pop gigs
Camille O’Sullivan, Ute Lemper, Gavin Friday and Cathal Coughlan salute the songsmith
Lisa Hannigan and Stargaze: Live in Dublin – a musical match made in the heavens
The singer’s delicate songs are enhanced by sumptuous orchestral arrangements
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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