Contemporary Irish folk acts to hear in 2024: Part 2
Part 1 has been getting some serious love on tiktok. So, as they say…..
let’s keep her lit
Click into each image to listen to our top pick for each artist, or read their bios below.
Niall McCabe:
Having earned a reputation as one of Ireland’s finest singers and songwriters, McCabe has performed extensively with his Folk-Soul group The Niall McCabe Band over the past decade. Born on Clare Island, Co.Mayo, McCabe grew up in the family run pub awash with strong musical influences from traditional Irish and folk to rock and soul. It is here that Niall discovered his musical appetite and developed a style and voice that are unquestionably his own.
SEAMÚS AND CAOIMHE:
Born into a highly musical family, Séamus & Caoimhe hail from An Áird Mhóir in the Gaeltacht region of Connemara, County Galway. They are noted for their sean nós singing, unique arrangements of both Irish and English language songs, and mesmerising harmony work, benefitting from the vocal tones that only families share.
DAVID KEENAN:
Hailing from Dundalk, County Louth, David Keenan has built a reputation as one of Ireland's leading songwriters and live performers. A prolific output includes two critically acclaimed albums "A Beginner's Guide to Bravery" released in 2020, reaching number 1 in the Independent Charts & the 2021 follow up "WHAT THEN?" marked Keenan's worth as an artist intent on pursuing their own path.
BIIRD:
Biird are a new, eleven-piece Irish trad supergroup, led by Lisa Canny, a seven-time All-Ireland champion on harp and banjo and acclaimed songwriter and producer. Other members of the collective include Laura Jo (vocals), Zoran Donohoe (harp, concertina), Sal Heneghan (violin, harp, piano), Miadhachlughain O’Donnell (vocals), Aisling Sage (violin, fiddle), Niamh Hinchy (vocals), Aoife Kelly (violin), Ciara Ní Mhurchú (fiddle), Hannah Hiemstra (drums) and Claire Loughran (uilleann pipes, flute, harp).
Rachel Goode:
Since her beginning, Rachel Goode has had a love for all genres of music, but is most well known for her singing of Folk, Country Blues, and Opera. Rachel is no stranger to the stage, having performed in major venues throughout Ireland, including the National Concert Hall, Bord Gais Energy Theatre and the National Opera House.
THE JEREMIAHS:
The Jeremiahs are an Irish folk band that comprises four musicians who have come together with the common goal of writing, composing and performing folk songs and music. They have travelled extensively, bringing their music far and wide and are heralded as a live band not to be missed. With a wonderful mixture of newly composed songs and tunes in the folk genre and a well selected catalogue of older folk songs, they are sure to rouse all the emotions.
Hailing from Dublin is singer Joe Gibney on vocals, on fiddle and vocals is New York born Matt Mancuso, on flute from County Clare is Conor Crimmins and on Guitar is Dublin born James Ryan.
CAOIMHÍN:
Hailing from Dublin, Caoimhín is an innovative folk artist combining Irish trad, pop and electronic styles to create a unique, psychedelic sound unlike anything else in the Irish market.
SINÉAD ANN:
German-Irish singer songwriter Sinéad Ann evokes wistful, mystical music influenced by the misty landscapes of Ireland. A graduate of BIMM Dublin, her music casts light upon the shadows through juxtaposing, ethereal melodies.
These acts and more on our “Irish folk & trad” playlist. Stream below!
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Discover More:
The second single from the emerging two-piece, the release comes in preparation for their upcoming performance at Ireland Music Week