NewDad quickly made such a splash with singles such as “Swimming” and “I Don’t Recognise You” that they appeared on BBC 6 Music in 2020 and then released their debut EP “Waves” (2021). The press have been singing the quartet’s praises ever since and have also given the follow-up EP “Banshee” (2021) rave reviews. In early 2024, the eagerly awaited debut album “Madra” (Irish for dog) was released, where indie pop smooches with sophisticated sound textures, post-punk with a well-dosed experimental frenzy. Comparisons with The Cure, Slowdive and Curve aren’t misplaced.

Cian Godfrey, AKA Somebody’s Child, is a musician from Dublin whose songs deal with feelings of isolation and frustration. Colourful synthesiser tracks, precisely programmed beats, a voice that lies somewhere between departure and demolition: on the EPs “Staying Sane” and “Hope, Amongst Other Things” (2021), Godfrey combines what doubtless belongs together. He became one of the most promising young songwriters in his native Ireland with his 2023 debut album, “Somebody’s Child”.

From blues classics to Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan to Johnny Cash, Holly Macve has drawn inspiration in terms of sound and style from all of them. Her debut album “Golden Eagle” (2017) already showed her to be an exceptional talent in contemporary Irish folk music and she was being mentioned in the same breath as giants such as Nick Cave and Johnny Cash. Lana Del Rey is such a fan of the singer-songwriter that they recorded the beautiful ode to winter “Suburban House” (2023) together for her latest EP “Time Is Forever” (2024).

First Music Contact  is the resource organisation for the popular music sector in Ireland with local, national and international impact, funded by the Arts Council of Ireland.