It’s been a very good year indeed for Irish music. With some of our up and coming acts making (sound)waves across the world, we’re taking some time out to salute ten of the best from 2013, set for even bigger heights in the year to come.
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Kodaline
They might seem like an overnight success, but Kodaline have been plugging away at the business since back in 2005, when the started out under the name 21 Demands. Nominated for the BBC’s Sound of 2013 in December of last year, the band has blown in the twelve months since with hit singles, headline gigs and a stint on the main stage at Electric Picnic. Their music has featured in Grey’s Anatomy and The Vampire Diaries, and they are set to play their first headliner at The O2 in March.
Gavin James
Earlier this year James supported Kodaline at some UK dates, but the singer-songwriter has more than enough to bring to the party himself. Gavin scored a number one single on the Irish iTunes chart this year and bagged the 2013 Meteor Choice Music Prize Irish Song of the Year Award for his super catchy single “Say Hello”.
Hozier
Wicklow musician Hozier managed an incredible feat earlier this year, making an Irish music video go viral. The track was Take Me To The Church, and the video, which showed a heartbreaking story of gay lovers subjected to violence, struck a chord with the public. To date, the video has been viewed over 1,000,000 times on YouTube. Hozier played a brace of sell-out gigs coming up to Christmas, and 2014 is looking stellar already.
Little Green Cars
The little indie rock band that could. Another ‘overnight success’ in the making for years, Little Green Cars hit the big time this year in many ways, perhaps most notably with an appearance on monster US chat show Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Amongst their gig highlights reel from 2013 you’ll find the SXSW festival, celeb magnet Coachella.
Walking On Cars
On the go since 2010, this Kerry five-piece won the 2012 Red Bull Bedroom Jam competition, and capitalized on the exposure by spending last year gigging their collective asses off. With radio hits Catch Me If You Can and Two Stones under their belts, and Tick Tock becoming their first top ten hit just this month, anticipation is steadily building for the 2014 release of the band’s debut album.
SOAK
It’s hard to see how so much talent can fit into a 5 foot 1 creature. Uber talented teenager SOAK, aka Bridie Monds-Watson is an incredibly exciting prospect in the Irish music scene. The Derry lady released her second EP, Sea Creatures, before 2013 even began, but it’s during the last twelve months that momentum has really built. We expect great things from this lady, and we’re not the only ones.
Laura Elizabeth Hughes
It’s the era we live in – Laura Elizabeth Hughes’ voice had attracted fans around the world before she had ever stepped on a stage, thanks to her YouTube videos showing home recordings of hit songs. During the summer, Laura launched a Fundit campaign to finance her EP, and drew huge support. Now stepping out of the bedroom and on to the stage, this lady is one to watch.
Hudson Taylor
Previously known as Harry & Alfie, these Dublin brothers are signed to Polydor records, so at least someone in the know is predicting a big future. The pair are currently recording their first full-length album, following on from two EPs.
Hermitage Green
The Limerick lads could easily have made this list last year too, but it’s 2013 that has really brought them to the attention of the masses. With a number 1 EP under their belt facing into the year, HG spent the past twelve months touring the globe and increasing their fan base tenfold. Just a few weeks ago, the band released their live album ‘Hermitage Green Live’, recording during their sell-out shows in Whelan’s last October. In 2014, they’re set for a spate of gigs in the UK, the US, Canada and Australia.
The Strypes
They’ve come a long way from The Late Late Toy Show…
This Cavan four-piece has set the music world alight in the year that was, after signing with Mercury Records in December of last year. In September they released their debut album Snapshot to rave reviews, and indie-rock behemoths Arctic Monkeys choose the teen rockers to support them on tour
