The Irish music scene is fairly class at the minute, and there are absolutely loads of up and coming acts that we are unbelievably excited to see take off.
At the start of the year,
2FM announced their 2019 Rising Acts, twelve Irish musical acts that you needed to keep an eye on over the next twelve months. Between festivals, gigs and online, it’s highly likely you’ve already been enjoying these twelve acts already.
But if you haven’t, you can check out the
2FM Rising playlist
here.
These acts have gotten up to some fairly exciting stuff over the last few months, with various gigs happening around the country to celebrate.
The
2FM Rising tour has already visited Cork and most recently Body & Soul. With the gig in Lost Lane, Dublin on October 4 next up, we thought there was no better time to revisit these twelve incredible acts.
Wild Youth
This Dublin four-piece offers a truly unique blend of pop-rock and electronic musical elements, taking inspiration from artists such as The 1975, Imagine Dragons, The Script and The XX.
They enjoyed a breakthrough moment this year with their single
Can't Move On, having initially emerged on the scene in 2017 with singles like
All Or Nothing and
Lose Control.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQCHoXYGGTc
True Tides
Made up of three brothers from Cork, True Tides have been playing music together their whole lives, but debuted as the trio in January 2018 when they brought their bold and expressive sound to First Fortnight Festival.
The group then released their debut single
Higher in April 2018 and they're currently writing their debut album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SogRxLV4iRI&app=desktop
JyellowL
JyellowL has taken inspiration from his Irish Jamaican and Nigerian background to bring us a truly unique sound that sets him apart from the rest.
His work explores everything from the fakeness of the music industry and racism.
JyellowL has just completed a series of festival dates and has recently returned to the scene with another release -
Oh Lawd featuring UK rapper Aaron U.N.K.N.OW.N.
JYellowL has also just announced that he'll be featured on the upcoming FIFA 20 game. The only Irish act to feature, his 'Ozone' track takes its place alongside music from the likes of Major Lazer, Post Malone, Foals, Avicii, J Cole, Logic and Meek Mill.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2JhHVUjoMt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Tebi Rex
It's safe to say that Tebi Rex has been enjoying a fair bit of success as of late.
The hip-hop duo has a pretty fluid style, ranging from catchy and upbeat pop to gritty dark and complex lyricism.
Single like
She Hated Love Songs II,
Men Are Trash and
Peggy's Bus have received critical acclaim, radio hits and spots in the music charts, and the duo has also performed at festivals such as Longitude, Electric Picnic and Indiependence.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1V1ykWCuzf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Pillow Queens
It was on a basketball court in a Dublin city park where band Pillow Queens first formed back in 2016.
Since then, they have played gigs all over the country and even over in London.
Taking inspiration from US DIY indie and punk scenes, the foursome (consisting of vocalist and guitarist Cathy, drummer and singer Rachel, and guitarists, bassists and lead vocalists Pam and Sarah), stay true to their Dublin routes, often including Dublin colloquialisms in their songs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0TKybDCXPk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Fia Moon
Fia, who is currently working part-time and completing her studies in Economics, has a background in classical music, having performed since the age of five.
Her parents who were also Jazz and classical musicians and she grew up listening to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.
Fia released her debut single
The Fall earlier this year and was even named as one to watch by the Official UK Charts company.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1J97noH1gO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Inhaler
This Irish Rock N Roll four-piece formed in 2016 and now spend much of their time gigging around different venues in Dublin such as the Grand Social, Workman's and The Button Factory.
The band's individual sound is often likened to mid-90s Manchester, they take influence from bands such as The Stone Roses and Joy Division.
Their debut single
I Want You was included
This Is Garageland - Volume 1, an album dedicated to showcasing up and coming Irish artists.
Inhaler have also just signed with Polydor Records.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0GUDVnokA9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Rushes
Rushes, AKA Sean Walsh, is an Irish singer, songwriter and producer who takes inspiration from international acts such as Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Frank Ocean and Marvin Gaye, which is evident when listening to tracks such as
Liquor and
Wave.
His work has been well-received across Irish radio stations, and some of his singles have also been added to major playlists such as Spotify's
New Music Friday playlist and Apple Music's Pop playlist.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzAvKWZoJdo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Flynn
Hailing from Mullingar, County Westmeath, Flynn (AKA Darren Flynn) has spent the last few years in the UK. He moved to Bristol a few years back, where he fell in love with 90's hip-hop and R'n'B.
For three years, he spent every day gigging and busking and now has a reputation as a highly talented singer, wordsmith and musician.
Since moving to London, he joined recording company Diffusion Lab.
His latest single
Red Light is an interesting mix of acoustics and smooth, dance-inducing synth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6GLYMtgZOc
ROE
Roisín Donald comes from Derry and brings us her unique brand of self-styled "Grumpy Electro-Pop".
ROE has already performed on the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury, promoted her hometown of Derry in a UK wide advertising campaign, and has even been announced as the support act for Snow Patrols 2019 Arena Tour.
She also won the 'Oh Yeah Contender Award' for 'Best Emerging Act' at the 2018 Northern Ireland Music Prize and has played gigs in cities across the world such as Mumbai and Montreal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlKMgOrBuzA
Kojaque
Dublin rapper Kojaque is making waves not only across the Irish music scene but also internationally.
Having co-founded independent label Soft Boy Records, Kojaque mixes sampling and jazz beats with dynamic, poetic lyrics to reflect what it's like to be a young Dubliner today.
He is also an established film-maker and visual artist and his multimedia performances truly make him stand out in Irish hip hop.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ipfa-ipcC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
HappyAlone
This Cork band burst onto the Irish music scene in 2018 and have been compared to acts like Massive Attack and DJ Shadow.
Their debut single
Colours reached number 1 the Irish Viral 50 by Spotify. They have also been nominated as The Irish Times' 'New Artist of The Week' in June and then went on to win RTE 2FM's Play The Picnic competition in July.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1OsFBmiUVN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Keep an eye on 2fm.ie/rising for the announce of the Rising 2020 list.
