It’s always tricky to predict the future, especially when it comes to music. Who would have guessed 12 months ago that the biggest Irish song of 2025 would be a jaunty singalong about the east Cork intermediate hurlers of Killeagh? Or that the Derry–Belfast rap trio Kneecap would upstage Olivia Rodrigo and The 1975 to become the talk of Coachella and Glastonbury, the world’s most prestigious music festivals?
What surprises does 2026 hold? It’s far too early to say, and the industry has never faced greater uncertainty, thanks to the dystopian threat of AI and the deepening divide between the 1 per cent of musicians who make all the money and the rest who are left to languish. Still, there’s always room for another great tune or a new essential band.
With that in mind, here are 10 emerging Irish artists tipped to take over in the months ahead. Buckle up: here’s who to watch as the new year unfolds.
1. Florence Road
Florence Road performing at the Academy in Dublin in November
Big things are expected of Florence Road, who have signed to Warner Music and opened for Olivia Rodrigo at Marlay Park in Dublin last summer. Their debut EP, Fall Back, was produced by the Rodrigo collaborator Dan Nigro, while the title track was written with Dan Wilson, who has worked with Taylor Swift and Adele. In all, the mini-album lists six producers – evidence that Warner is putting serious weight behind the Bray band, who already have a million TikTok followers. High expectations bring a particular kind of pressure – anything less than mega-success will be perceived as failure – but so far Florence Road appear to be taking it all in their stride.
2. Shark School
Irish acts to look out for in 2026: Shark School
Netflix’s House of Guinness may have been a diddly-dee dunking on 19th-century Irish history, but its one saving grace was a soundtrack that unashamedly championed modern Irish music. Among the highlights was the Galway three-piece Shark School, whose pummelling punk proved far too good for Steven Knight’s dreadful drama. Describing themselves as the love child of Wet Leg and Nirvana, the band tackle themes from mental health (Choose Life) to the Kafkaesque absurdities of Galway public transport (“It’s 5.07, she’s waiting on the 411,” they sing on 411). There’s plenty to be angry about in Ireland today, and Shark School’s mix of addictive riffs and unfiltered rage is plugged into the ills of our age.
3. Basht
Irish acts to look out for in 2026: Basht
From the not-so-mean streets of Rathmines, in south Dublin, Basht have drawn attention for their Gen Z take on Joy Division-style alt-rock. The five-piece aren’t earth-shatteringly original – if you like Oasis, you won’t hate Basht – but indie pop never goes out of fashion, and Basht bring a new touch to an old sound.
4. Dove Ellis
Irish musician Dove Ellis, whose debut album is Blizzard. PR shot from Jon Lawrence jon@chalkpressagency.co.uk
The Galway singer Dove Ellis released a late contender for the LP of 2025 with his debut, Blizzard. That followed a US tour supporting the indie darlings Geese. Evoking the tortured intimacy of Damien Rice and Mic Christopher, he specialises in cathartic, heartfelt singer-songwriter rock. It’s a reminder of how compelling the genre was before being overrun by artists such as Ed Sheeran and Hozier. Bonus marks for sounding like the west of Ireland’s answer to a young Jeff Buckley filtered through early Thom Yorke of Radiohead.
5. SexyTadhg
SexyTadhg, aka Tadhg Griffin
SexyTadhg delivers boisterous electropop topped off with Irish wit and resilience. Having toured with The Mary Wallopers, the Carlow-born artist, who uses they/them pronouns, has celebrated the Irish language through singles such as Ceannasacht (which means “dominion” or “sovereignty”, depending on who you ask). The success of CMAT shows there’s an audience for Irish pop from out of left field – music to the ears of SexyTadhg’s growing fan base.
6. Madra Salach
Irish acts to look out for in 2026: Madra Salach
Irish traditional music took a toe-curling turn for the bland in 2025 thanks to acts such as Amble and Kingfishr – the corporate music industry truly seems to have its hooks in the genre. Hurrah, then, for Madra Salach, the sort of awkward outsiders of which trad is suddenly in dire need. From north Dublin, they blend Irish folk with drone-like experimental textures. That approach places them alongside groups such as Lankum, who similarly walk the line between melody and dissonance. But there’s a restless quality to Madra Salach that feels fresh and unique, as demonstrated by their roiling early single Black and Gold – a rumination on how life can be uplifting and heartbreaking all at the same time.
7. Brooki
Irish acts to look out for in 2026: Brooki
An indie-rock project from the Galway songwriter Sarah Brooks, Brooki draws on influences ranging from electronica to 1990s alternative pop. Brooks’s searing songwriting and keening vocals provide the emotional solvent, driving songs that shift from taut and intimate to loud and cathartic. A former student at Dublin’s BIMM music academy – alma mater of Fontaines DC – Brooks writes from experience: Amber, for instance, is about a panic attack at the Workman’s Club in Dublin.
8. Hotgirl
Irish acts to look out for in 2026: Hotgirl. Photograph: Niamh Barry
Led by the Drogheda songwriter Ashley Abbedeen, Hotgirl began as a bedroom-pop project steeped in trip-hop but have evolved into a grungy onslaught with flashes of bubblegum punk. Abbedeen’s vocal style – a caustic croon equal parts Courtney Love and Juliana Hatfield – gives the band a distinctive edge. For those who like to mosh with purpose, Hotgirl are sure to bring the chills.
9. The Null Club
The tooth-rattling indie weirdos Gilla Band have been the best Irish band of the past decade; in a music scene defined by its conformity, they dare to be different. Now their guitarist Allan Duggan Borges moves sideways with this experimental project. Featuring collaborations with Valentine Caulfield of the brilliant indie band Mandy, Indiana, and Faris Badwan of the urbane goths The Horrors, The Null Club create a seismic mash-up of postrock, electronica, indie and bursts of unpredictable noise. Gilla Band’s live shows are renowned for their intensity: they’ve elevated terrifying the bejaysus out of unsuspecting punters to an art form. Whether The Null Club can match that bonkers intensity will be revealed in May when they make their live debut at the Workman’s Club in Dublin.
10. F3miii
Irish acts to look out for in 2026: F3miii
Pronounced “Femi”, the Dublin-based producer and vocalist crafts woozy electronica and hip-hop that feel as if they’ve drifted in from another dimension. With more than 500,000 SoundCloud listeners, F3miii’s music radiates positivity without condescending to the listener with empty feelgood mantras. His standout track From Your Eyes is a meditation on mindfulness in daily life that is both philosophical and straightforwardly uplifting. Happiness is a challenging emotion to express in music – F3miii (real name Richard OluwaFemi Adebusuyi) does so with ease. January’s a drag, but here’s an artist sure to put a smile on your face.