BOLD LOVE

BOLD LOVE – made up of Cian Ó'Maonlaí (lead vocals), Jack Cody (guitar/vocals), Megan Nic Ruairí (vocals, keys/synth), Dan Aherne (bass), Anton Shovlin (drums), and Adam Curtis (lead guitar) - having been tipped by the likes of Hot Press in their Hot for 2024, Whelan's Ones To Watch, and RTÉ Recommends, for their widescreen indie-pop inflected alt-rock live sound, have been gathering significant momentum, culminating in a scintillating show at the annual Ireland Music Week showcase festival and one of three acts chosen by Dermot Kennedy for his inaugural Misneach festival. Dermot said of the bands debut single 'Lily', "I heard a live version of the song Lily by Big Love, and it just kind of hit me. I thought, why haven't millions of people heard this song?". Having sold-out numerous early headline shows around Dublin at staple venues such as The Workman's Club and The Grand Social, as well as playing major festivals such as Electric Picnic and Other Voices, the band will make their first headline appearance in London at Old Blue Last on 19th November.

Recorded in London with the help of producer Matt Glasbey (Alt-J, Sorry, Bloc Party), "Never Enough" perfectly exemplifies why the band have been on such an incendiary rise and sees them continue to deliver on all their early promise. Combining ruminative guitar and piano lines with fervent, danceable drumming and anthemic vocals, the track slowly builds wistful atmospherics around the repeated lyrics "I was never enough" until the instrumentation breaks out into an almost post-rock inflected climax.

The track comes on the heels of their recent single "Is It Over Yet?", which saw the band earn widespread plaudits including landing on the cover of The Line Of Best Fit's New Music Discovery playlist as well as garnering support from DIY, Rough Trade, and more.

With a successful 2024 almost behind them, they are poised to take the nusic scene by storm for 2025. For fans of BOLD LOVE, it's only just beginning.

Cliffords

After forming in a garage in Cork as teenagers, Cliffords have emerged as an electrifying act bursting out of the Irish scene. The band built their dynamic indie – rock sound by relentlessly playing venues across Cork, captivating audiences with their emotional and cathartic performances. Cliffords went on to receive widespread recognition after the release of their critically acclaimed debut EP 'Strawberry Scented', which came out in April this year. Following this release the band went on to play numerous venues across Ireland and the UK, including a packed out performance at Electric Picnic's '3 Stage', solidifying Cliffords as a live experience which is not to be overlooked.

ESSIRAY

ESSIRAY is an Irish singer, songwriter, and producer known for her dynamic electronic pop music. She combines fast- paced breakbeats with layered vocals and harmonies, creating a vocal-led sound that feels both energising and calming. Rooted in storytelling, her music explores unique soundscapes that push genre boundaries. Having started her music career as an opera singer, ESSIRAY is no stranger to experimentation and thinking outside the box when it comes to her music-making.

This year, she curated an all-female electronic night at Whelan's, showcasing artists who blend electronic music with other genres. Since her debut two years ago, ESSIRAY has been recognised as "The Future of Irish Music" by District Magazine, won the Goldeneire Songwriting Competition, and performed at festivals such as Beyond the Pale and Forbidden Fruit. She showcased her work at Ireland Music Week 2023 and has supported acts like the South African electronic duo Goldfish at The Grand Social in Dublin and LA-based songwriter Miya Folick. Her work has also been featured on major Spotify playlists, including New Music Friday UK and Fresh Finds: Pop. Hot Press describes ESSIRAY as "a breath of fresh air."

Her most recent single 'LOSE YOU' is a distinctive drum and bass track that combines her ethereal vocals with rich harmonies and stirring piano elements, delivering a fresh, dynamic take on the genre.