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Kingfishr release stunning new Single ‘Afterglow’ and announce biggest Tour yet

April 23, 2024

Rising Irish indie-folk band Kingfishr have released their beautifully melodic new single ‘Afterglow’.

The latest track is a stunningly wrought composition over which Eddie sings in an affecting falsetto “I love the ethereal nature of falsetto vocals,” he explains. “I grew up with Bon Iver, he definitely did play a huge role in developing my ear.”

‘Afterglow’ is decidedly different in tone from previous releases, and is, perhaps, the song that best captures the enigmatic quality of Kingfishr’s sound. “I find music is one of those last places where there’s a bit of magic,” Eddie says. “Where things aren’t explained away. And I love the idea of not knowing how the magic trick is done.”

The trio quickly recorded ‘Afterglow’ after it was written and ended up keeping the demo as the final version. “The song is a culmination of subconscious recording, No real thought went into what was being played or recorded, it was all instinctual,” they said, “The purity of that is quite beautiful to us.”

Speaking on the concept behind the track, the band said: “So much of your time growing up can be wasted in pursuit of people who you think you love but they don’t feel the same way. You give them everything and lay your heart on the floor for them, but they don’t reciprocate that feeling and can unintentionally hurt you because of this. It’s easy in hindsight to say you should have known better, but in the moment you’re blinded and you don’t notice all that time you’re wasting.”

The band were also announced to play at the prestigious Glastonbury Festival this week saying that they feel “Lost for words and eternally grateful” for the opportunity. “We’d need a week to sum up everything we’re feeling. Having spent the last two years playing on a farm in Tipperary, it’s an enormous privilege and an honour to be asked to play at a slightly less prestigious farm across the sea.”

Formed while members Eddie (vocals, guitar), McGoo (banjo), and Fitz (bass) were studying engineering at university in Limerick, the Irish trio lean into their heritage with traditional instruments and poetic songwriting. Kingfishr’s music is hugely cinematic, they pride themselves on deep textures and a grand sonic atmospheric nature, with influences ranging from Hanz Zimmer to Ben Howard. They have racked up over 20 million streams on Spotify to date, with three of their previous releases being performed on The Independent’s live music session Music Box. Watch here.

Kingfishr spent the summer of 2023 supporting established musicians including world-famous rock legend Bruce Springsteen at BST. They have also had support slots for George Ezra’s UK/ Ireland tour as well as Dermot Kennedy’s Limerick shows at Thomond Park & in Dublin at Marlay Park. Alongside this were a run of festival dates that included Electric Picnic (main stage), Neighbourhood Weekender, Live At Leeds, Latitude, All Points East, Sea Sessions & Indiependence. They have also appeared on BBC Introducing Belfast and performed on Irish TV Series Other Voices.

The trio have started the year strongly, a festival performance at Eurosonic was quickly followed by eight sold out headline shows across the UK and Ireland. The tour concluded with two shows at The Olympia Theatre in Ireland, a live recording of which will be available on the 7th June. Kingfishr have been announced as the support act for Tom Walker’s upcoming 14 date tour as well as for Snow Patrol’s show at Thomond Park Stadium, in July. That same weekend will see them make their debut appearance at TRNSMT Festival in Scotland. As well as Glastonbury, Kingfishr will also be making their debut performance at Isle of Wight and Reading & Leeds festivals this summer.

Following their sold out UK and Ireland tour earlier this year, rising Irish indie-folk band Kingfishr have today announced their biggest run of shows to date.

The tour kicks off this October and runs through November with dates at TF Royal TheatreCastlebar (25 October), Gleneagle INEC Arena, Killarney (26 October), The Set Theatre, Kilkenny (1 November), Wexford Spiegeltent (2 November), TLT Drogheda (3 November), City Hall, Cork (6 November), Leisureland, Galway (8 November) with Northern Ireland and UK tour dates in Belfast, Bristol, Manchester, London, Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Glasgow, Leeds and Birmingham.  Tickets go on sale this Friday 26th at 10am from Ticketmaster.ie.

April 2024 (Tom Walker Support)

Thursday 18th – THE GREAT HALL, Cardiff
Friday 19th – O2 ACADEMY, Bristol
Saturday 20th – OCTAGON CENTRE, Sheffield Tuesday 23rd – ULSTER HALL, Belfast
Thursday 25th – O2 ACADEMY, Birmingham
Friday 26th – MANCHESTER ACADEMY, Manchester Saturday 27th – MANCHESTER ACADEMY, Manchester Monday 29th – O2 ACADEMY, Leeds

Tuesday 30th – O2 ACADEMY, Glasgow

May 2024 (Tom Walker Support)

Wednesday 1st – O2 ACADEMY, Glasgow Friday 3rd – CITY HALL, Newcastle Sunday 5th – UEA LCR, Norwich
Monday 6th – ROCK CITY, Nottingham Tuesday 7th – EVENTIM APOLLO, London

June 2024
Thursday 20th – Sunday 23rd ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL Wednesday 26th – Sunday 30th – GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL

July 2024

Friday 12th – THOMOND PARK STADIUM, Limerick City (Snow Patrol Support) Sunday 14th – TRNSMT FESTIVAL, Glasgow

August 2024

Friday 23rd – LEEDS Festival, Leeds Sunday 25th – READING Festival, Reading

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