Lanzarote-based Donegal singer-songwriter Rory & the Island is back with a vibrant new single, ‘Playa Grande’, released via Voices of the Sea on Friday, May 23rd, 2025.
Recorded at Channel 7 Studios in Lanzarote and expertly mixed by Grammy Award-winning producer Ruaidhri Cushnan (Mumford & Sons, Snow Patrol, Ed Sheeran) at Camden Studios, Dublin, ‘Playa Grande’ is a radiant indie-pop track that’s poised to be a surprise hit of summer 2025.
Drawing inspiration from icons like The Kinks, The Gypsy Kings, and Gerry Cinnamon, ‘Playa Grande’ blends sunshine melodies with irresistible charm—flip-flops tapping and cocktail glasses clinking are guaranteed across clubs and beer gardens alike.
Rory & the Island (real name Rory Gallagher) is a seasoned veteran in the Irish music scene, known for his early 2000s breakthrough with The Revs. Their student classic “Wired to the Moon” and three top 20 albums secured their place in Irish rock history, including a platinum-selling live album “SonicTonic“, with appearances at Slane Castle and gigs supporting Green Day and Oasis.
After relocating to Lanzarote in 2007, Rory embraced original songwriting under the moniker Rory & the Island, avoiding Google confusion with the legendary blues artist of the same name. Since then, he has earned eight Top 10 tracks on iTunes Ireland, with 2012’s “Jimmy’s Winning Matches” becoming a national anthem and chart hit.
His 2022 album ‘Centre Falls Apart’ reached #8 on the Irish Indie Charts and was named Album of the Week on bothRTÉ Radio and BBC Arts Show, culminating in a live appearance at the BBC Stage during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Now surpassing 3 million Spotify streams, Rory shows no sign of slowing down. He currently co-owns The Irish Viking live music bar in Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote with wife Cara—and the duo are excited to launch a second venue, “Rory’s Live Lounge”, opening June 2025.
Catch Rory performing five nights a week this summer at Rory’s Live Lounge, and be sure to add ‘Playa Grande’ to your ultimate summer playlist.