Author: Mia Doyle

Irish musicians Thom O’Keeffe and Denny Dunworth are launching into an expansive new chapter of their music careers.

Having spent years honing their song-writing and musicianship, Opentide are entering a new chapter with a sophisticated sound that showcases their artistic growth and maturity. Their upcoming lead single, ‘Older’, is a polished introduction to this next era, which is set to be released June 19th.

Drawing on a pedigree that includes creating music with Noel Hogan of The Cranberries, the band has spent the last year at Wanderland Studios in Limerick crafting a debut album that marks a mature evolution in their sound.

Their current material deliberately moves away from their early style, delivering layered, atmospheric tracks enhanced by live arrangements of violin, viola, cello, and piano, all performed by professional session musicians.

Mastered at the historic Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright (Radiohead, Ed Sheeran, Arcade Fire) It represents the natural growth of a band that has spent years refining their craft, exchanging youthful intensity for a sophisticated, widescreen sonic signature.

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Florence Road release ‘Hanging Out To Dry (Dublin Version)’, a special live recording captured during the band’s sold-out headline show at Dublin’s iconic 3Olympia Theatre on 27th May.

Alongside this new release, the band have shared an official live video filmed by acclaimed Irish production company Tiny Ark, directed by Ais Brady, documenting a landmark night for the Irish four-piece as they performed their biggest headline show to date in front of a packed home crowd.

Recorded during the final moments of a completely sold-out UK, Ireland and European headline tour, ‘Hanging Out To Dry (Dublin Version)’ captures the energy, emotion and connection that has become synonymous with Florence Road’s live shows.

The original version of ‘Hanging Out To Dry’ has continued its impressive rise in recent months, currently reaching No. 6 on the Irish Airplay Chart and No. 4 on the Irish Homegrown Chart, while Florence Road were recently voted Most Promising Act of the Year in the Hot Press Readers’ Poll.

After a breakout 2025, the Irish four-piece have quickly established themselves as one of the most exciting new bands to emerge from Ireland. Their debut mixtape Fall Back earned widespread acclaim, while a string of sold-out headline shows, major festival appearances and international touring has seen their audience grow rapidly across Ireland, the UK, Europe and North America.

Praised as “headed for stardom” by Rolling Stone and hailed by Billboard UK as “one of 2025’s biggest breakthrough acts,” Florence Road continue their rapid rise as one of the most exciting new names in the music scene.

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Singer-songwriter Alice Jago releases her new single ‘Ready Now’ Today, June 5th. This single offers a captivating introduction to listeners of her forthcoming album Look To The Sky.

Written and produced by Alice Jago, ‘Ready Now’ is an ode to daydreaming, looking skyward and embracing change. The track explores the idea of shedding old fears and stepping forward into new possibilities, even when the circumstances may not seem ideal. At its heart, the song is about transformation and self-belief, finding the courage to move forward and trust in what lies ahead.

Alice said:

“’Ready Now’ is about the shedding of the old skin, not being terrified anymore and a way of saying you can be ready for change even if the conditions are not ideal.”

The single also provides the foundation for Jago’s forthcoming album Look To The Sky, a collection of songs inspired by reflection, resilience and the simple act of looking beyond the horizon.

Alice recently completed a run of live shows with Damien Dempsey, who has praised the forthcoming album.

“A very beautiful album. Lived in lyrics with nuggets of wisdom winged with soaring melodies and vocals, mighty stuff.” – Damien Dempsey

The recording features Alice Jago on vocals, acoustic guitar and percussion, alongside Robbie Malone on double bass and bouzouki, Dave Hingerty on drums, David Hopkins on harmonium, Dermot O’Hanlon on fiddle and Luke Coffey on banjo.

The track has already attracted critical acclaim from Dublin’s music scene magazine, with The Goo Magazine describing it as:

“A swooning mix of guitar, bass and soft, swishing drums cradle Jago’s soft but persistent harmonies beautifully.”

Blending beautiful sounds of acoustic guitar, bass, drums and strings this single highlights Alice Jago’s ability to pair deep personal song-writing with timeless melodies. The single offers a compelling glimpse into an album shaped by wisdom, vulnerability and hope.

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Irish pop artist Robert Grace releases his heartfelt new single ‘If You Were Gone’ Today, June 5th, featuring a special guest appearance from his father, Bob Grace. The release arrives ahead of a run of Irish and UK headline shows, including sold-out dates in Dublin and Kilkenny.

A moving reflection on love, family and loss, ‘If You Were Gone’ explores the often unspoken fear of losing those closest to us and the profound impact their absence would leave behind.

Robert said:

“’If You Were Gone’ is about suddenly realising how deeply we depend on our loved ones while also fearing the emptiness their absence would bring.”

One of Ireland’s fastest-rising pop artists, Robert has amassed more than 500 million streams across digital platforms and built a global audience through his emotionally resonant song writing and distinctive voice.

His double-platinum breakthrough hit ‘Fake Fine’ established him as one of Ireland’s most exciting new talents, while fan favourite ‘Not OK’ has surpassed 60 million streams worldwide. More recently, ‘Euphoria’ received major support from BBC Radio 1, earning praise from presenters including Clara Amfo and Molly King.

Robert’s recent smash hit ‘Home’, which also featured his father Bob Grace, has generated more than 10 million streams and over 400 million TikTok views while reaching the Top 40 of the UK Singles Sales Chart. With more than 3.7 million TikTok followers and a recent number one on the Irish Radio Breakers Chart with ‘Memories’, Robert continues to prove himself as one of Ireland’s most compelling contemporary pop artists.

Blending heartfelt storytelling with powerful melodies, ‘If You Were Gone’ showcases a more intimate side of Robert’s song-writing. The inclusion of Bob Grace adds an additional emotional depth to the track, highlighting the genuine family connection at the heart of the song.

Upcoming live dates:

13 June – The Academy, Dublin (Sold Out)

20 June – Set Theatre, Kilkenny (Sold Out)

27 June – Wavelength, Cork (Low Tickets)

19 September – The Lower Third, London (Low Tickets)

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Rising Irish pop artist Georgia G returns with her latest single ‘Moving To New York’, released Today, June 5th. Produced by Ollie Deacon-Lowpines (CMAT, Ailbhe Reddy), the track is an infectious and emotionally charged anthem that captures the excitement, uncertainty and impulsiveness of starting over in a new city.

Originally from Malahide, Dublin, and now based in New York City, the 25-year-old singer-songwriter has been writing songs for as long as she can remember. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Sheryl Crow, Fleetwood Mac and Adele, Georgia blends elements of pop, indie rock and country to create a vibrant and distinctive sound that has earned her growing recognition on both sides of the Atlantic.

Georgia has been selected as RTÉ 2FM Track of the Week on multiple occasions, receiving praise for her infectious songwriting and unique artistic voice. She has also sold out headline shows at The Workman’s Cellar and Whelan’s, cementing her reputation as one of Dublin’s most exciting emerging live performers.

Her rising profile has led to appearances as part of Hot Press’ “Young & Emerging” series, where the publication described her as a “hotly tipped” artist, while the Fingal Independent declared that Georgia G is “about to take the music scene by storm.”

Since then, Georgia has continued to build momentum through extensive performances across Ireland and the United States. In 2024, she performed on the Coca-Cola Stage at Electric Picnic, one of Ireland’s largest music festivals, and later supported Aaron Rowe at a Guinness Storehouse-connected event in Chicago.

Speaking about ‘Moving To New York’, Georgia says:

“The song is about wanting to leave the life I once knew and start fresh where nobody knows me. The song is literal, as I did move the next day, but it means much more than that. It’s about taking a risk on yourself, leaving behind everything familiar, and chasing the version of your life you’ve always imagined — even when it’s terrifying. It’s raw. It’s real. The production on this track coincides with its meaning.”

With its soaring melodies, heartfelt storytelling and expansive production, ‘Moving To New York’ offers an exciting preview of what is to come from one of Ireland’s most promising emerging artists.

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Irish pop artist Jessica Brett and renowned DJ Marty Guilfoyle join forces on new dance-pop single ‘When You’re High’, released Today, June 5th.

‘When You’re High’ explores themes of lust, escapism and the rush of living in the moment. Marking a bold new direction for Jessica, the track sees the singer-songwriter step outside her established sound and embrace a more energetic style.

Jessica Brett said:

“When creating ‘When You’re High’, I wanted to step away from my usual sound and style of writing to try something different. This release leans into a more energetic vibe, capturing feelings of lust and escapism. It was fun to make something so different from anything I’ve created in the past.”

Her growing catalogue has earned two RTÉ 2FM ‘Track of the Week’ selections, while also attracting airplay from Spin South West, WLR and Cork’s 96FM.

For ‘When You’re High’, Brett teams up with one of Ireland’s most recognisable electronic music talents. Marty Guilfoyle is a DJ, producer and radio presenter who has become a household name through his flagship shows on SPIN, Red FM and iRadio. Beyond Ireland, Guilfoyle has performed at major venues and festivals across Europe and Asia and is currently one of the most-followed DJs in Europe on TikTok.

Combining Brett’s distinctive pop songwriting with Guilfoyle’s polished production, ‘When You’re High’ is a vibrant summer anthem that further cements Jessica Brett’s position as one of Ireland’s promising new pop voices.

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Ryan Mack has announced the release of his high energy pop anthem, ‘Irish Goodbye’, Today, May 29th. This is the first track off his forthcoming debut album.

Ryan’s new track draws on a well-known Irish cultural expression, reinterpreted within a contemporary pop context, and reflects a broader body of work that incorporates subtle traditional influences within a modern sound.

Opening up about the story behind ‘Irish Goodbye’, Ryan says:

“‘Irish Goodbye’ is about that instant feeling of knowing someone is special from the moment you meet them. I wanted it to feel exciting, nostalgic, and full of energy, while also nodding to where I’m from and the music my country is known for.”

As an independent artist, Ryan has built significant international reach, maintaining over 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify and achieving close to 100 million streams across his catalogue. His music has received consistent support from BBC radio and Spotify editorial playlists, alongside strong engagement across digital platforms.

Ryan has developed his live profile through touring across Europe, including dates with AJR and performances alongside Bastille, and continues to expand into larger venues and international markets. Upcoming performances in October 2026 will see him perform across major UK venues including O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (London), O2 Ritz (Manchester) and O2 Institute (Birmingham).

Ryan’s creative output is closely connected to Ireland, with a significant amount of visual and digital content filmed across the Irish landscape. This ongoing integration of place, language and identity positions his work within a contemporary expression of Irish culture, presented to an international audience.

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Dead Manifest are a Dublin-based alternative rock band that craft a sound with grit, intensity, and sharp emotional weight. The band delivers a sound that feels both aggressive and anthemic without losing its edge.

Their latest single, Six Feet Dreaming which is releasing on June 4th marks, a defining step forward for the band. Heavier, sharper, and more confident in both sound and direction signalling the next chapter of Dead Manifest’s evolution.

Six Feet Dreaming explores the feeling of being emotionally buried by life while still holding onto the hope that something more exists beyond the weight of it all. The title captures that tension perfectly ‘six feet’ symbolising isolation, pressure, and the suffocating weight of loneliness and self doubt, while ‘dreaming’ reflects the mind’s refusal to give up searching for connection, meaning, and escape.

Dead Manifest states:

“Six Feet Dreaming felt like a turning point for us creatively. Working with Cahir and Allan completely changed the way we approached songwriting and arrangement – everything became about serving the song in the strongest possible way. Lyrically, it’s about feeling stuck beneath the weight of your own thoughts and circumstances, but still holding onto the belief that things can improve. We wanted the song to feel heavy emotionally while still having big hooks and a sense of release.”

Dead Manifest have earned a reputation for their high energy shows and growing presence on the Irish alternative scene. Recent appearances include a headline show at Fibber Magees and a main stage slot at The Works Festival last summer, with upcoming performances at Beardfire Festival and Dublin’s The Workman’s Club continuing that momentum.

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Following a captivating sold-out show at Little Whelan’s last week, indie-folk songsmith Harry Fennell has released his sweeping new single earlier this week, ‘Funeral Flower’ via Rubarb Music.

Praised as one of Ireland’s most captivating emerging singer-songwriters, the Dublin-born, Galway-based artist’s old-time folk and Americana sound has compelled audiences at Electric Picnic, All Together Now, Whelan’s and The Ruby Sessions, earning him extensive support from RTÉ Radio 1, Red FM and Hot Press.

“Fennell has rapidly established himself as one of the most compelling singer-songwriters in the city…” – Hot Press

New release ‘Funeral Flower’ is built on Fennell’s signature intimate lyricism and soft folk instrumentation, capturing the quiet loneliness that follows the end of a relationship, moving through cold Saturdays, blue Tuesdays and the hope that someone might still come back.

Balancing vulnerability with warmth, ‘Funeral Flower’ is steeped in incredibly emotionally honest songwriting that continues to set the tone for Fennell’s highly anticipated debut EP arriving later this year.

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Demons is the latest single taken from Rory’s new album Nine. The album has already surpassed 60,000 Spotify streams within its first 3 weeks. While Rory’s overall Spotify catalogue has officially hit the 5 million mark, with his fan favourites such as Jimmy’s Winning Matches and Mad Dog Coll becoming staples on Irish bar playlists around the world, from Boston to Dubai.

Rory has built a career on storytelling, with a defining voice, he leans into his love of vintage country and Americana on this record. Despite its dark-sounding title, Demons is one of Rory’s more romantic songs, with lyrics centred around love, resilience and overcoming depression through connection and hope.

Showcasing Rory’s multi-instrumental talents, he performs guitar, bass, and drums on the recording himself, alongside beautifully understated traditional fiddle and pedal steel contributions from Damien McGeehan and his father, Paul.

The release follows Rory’s sold-out album launch show at Whelan’s in April, further strengthening his name in Ireland and abroad. Now based in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, where he lives with his wife Cara and their two sons. Rory is performing five nights a week throughout the summer at his own venue, “Rory’s Live Lounge”.

With Rory’s heartfelt song writing, Demons marks another chapter in his career.

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