Walk This Way – Your Guide To The NYF Dublin Music Trail ?

This year’s New Year’s Festival is slowly but surely creeping up on us, and we, for one, couldn’t be more excited.

There are literally dozens of events to check out over the course of the three days, but arguably the most intriguing of them all is the NYF Dublin Music Trail.

The trail consists of 15 of Dublin’s coolest and quirkiest venues across the city playing host, for two nights, to live music from the best new artists Ireland has to offer selected from Dublin’s prestigious Hard Working Class Heroes line up.  

Dublin has always had a vibrant music scene to say the least, from Christmastime busking with the biggest band in the world, to The Frames singing what we’re all thinking all of the time. And we’re not just finished yet. Especially not with this line up…

1. My Tribe Your Tribe

Three young musicians from Kildare who all hail from proper musical backgrounds, and who really bloody know their stuff. 

MTYB have enjoyed an whopper year so far with the release of their upbeat electro track, ‘Will to Survive’, bringing invitations to a number of summer festival appearances including Electric Picnic’s Body and Soul Mainstage, Body and Soul Festival, Valentia Isle, Spirit of Folk, Secret Village Festival and Canalaphonic Festival. Not just some pretty faces.

2. Hare Squead

A trio of Dublin young fellas who are just a bunch of kids having fun but also insanely talented young rappers, musicians, poets, and artists.

Hare Squaed describe themselves as ‘three black Irish lads making waves’ and they would rather be known as wordsmiths than goldsmiths and FOR zingers rather than AS blingers.

3. We Raise Bears

Conor Miley and Sharon Murphy met while studying music and formed We Raise Bears in 2014. The indie duo have been killing it ever since with their intense live performances, lyrical prowess and compelling arrangements.

They have been described as “beguiling,” (Jim Carroll, The Irish Times) and attributed with “stand-out live performances” (The Last Mixed Tape) – Conor Miley’s voice is certainly not one to be missed.

4. moossmann

A different, and exciting, kettle of fish altogether – moossmann doesn’t like to be called a DJ. Once a mainstay at Dublin’s Academy venue and the now-defunct Tripod (RIP), moossmann avoided the DJ archetype from the beginning.

“There are no CDs, vinyls or memory sticks involved.”

The moossmann “sound” is widely described as tech-house, but regularly enters the realms of techno, deep house and electronica in its broadest sense. Using some of the best analogue emulation out there, along with ‘found sound’ percussion, expect meticulous fidelity with a lot of analogue warmth!

5. Heroes in Hiding

Heroes in Hiding are a Folk Rock quartet based in Dublin made up of all round good guys Joe Carroll, Oisín Jacob, Liam McCabe and Cian Donohoe. 

These lads certainly know what they’re at, considering they were booked as the only Irish act to play at the inaugural Secret Solstice International Music and Arts Festival in Iceland last year, alongside a wide range of international acts such as Massive Attack and Disclosure.

Ones to watch for the future, for sure.

6. Ailbhe Reddy 

Ailbhe Reddy is a true Irish talent.

She was a new addition to the Irish music scene in 2014, when she played at Knockanstockan and Spirit of Folk festivals, Electric Picnic and TinkerMann Festival in the Isle of Man. She also attracted the attention of Today FM, who featured her song ‘Cover Me’ in their ‘Shave or Dye’ radio campaign.

“Beautiful vocals, melodies, sentiments and lyrics make ‘Dwell’ and Ailbhe Reddy a must listen for fans of indie folk pop music.” – Ceol Collective

7. This Other Kingdom 

This Other Kingdom is a four-piece neo-psychedelic rock band based in Dublin, which comprises of Del Kerton, Declan Dunne, Fran Mulholland and Chris Sweeney.

Their sound has been described as an arresting hybrid of psychedelia and rock’n’roll – which is enough to get anyone interested. Loved by Dubliners who love music. 

8. Cult Called Man

Since breaking onto the scene in 2013, Cult Called Man have developed a strong live following with their shows becoming more of an artistic event than a standard musical performance. 

This very well-dressed five piece from Co Meath has nuances of both David Bowie and Talking Heads with their own original twist – a real delight to behold.

9. Comrade Hat

And last, but certainly not least, we have Comrade Hat. 

Named after a moniker given to him at school in honour of his Soviet-style hat, Comrade Hat is the songwriting pseudonym of Derry-based musician Neil Burns. An eclectic, evolving sound brings together atmospheric acoustics, jazz-tinged piano balladry and off-kilter pop; both tongue-in-cheek and heart-on-sleeve, operating variously as a solo concern and a band.