Top 50 Irish Acts in Ireland Today

Here's the top 50 acts in Ireland according to my humble tastes. The list acts as a guide to the recently released music which excites me at this moment in time. It excludes bands not currently working in Ireland or who have been dormant for some time. So in basic terms here's a list of bands to watch out for on a random night in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Dundalk etc ....

Mossy quietly released his self-titled debut album earlier this year. It's a wonderful album of folk classics and traditional compositions which is bursting with both charm and integrity.

4. Marc O'Reilly http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marc-OReilly/188928571123136

I'd rate Marc O'Reilly as the best guitarist in Ireland. Along with this fantastic talent he can also write a great song as evidenced on his fantastic debut album 'My Friend Marx' released in Ireland last year. Also I'm delighted to hear great things about Marc's career in the UK and Europe.

3. Jukebox Gypsy http://www.facebook.com/jukeboxgypsymusic

After two full albums, a live album and about six tours of Ireland Jukebox Gypsy are still relatively unknown in blogging media circles. However their Irish shows invariably sell out with their fanbase expanding mainly on 'Word of Mouth'! If it's tap dancing entertainment and good songs you want then Jukebox Gypsy is your band!

2. I Draw Slow http://www.facebook.com/idrawslow

On the band's facebook page it describes their sound as '.... rooted in the old time style of the Appalachian Mountains, drawing on Irish traditional music and modern Americana. However, this is a whole new songbook of stories and melodies.'

'I Draw Slow' are such a great live band and they deserve to be headlining the biggest venues playing to as many people as possible.

Here's a recent clip of 'I Draw Slow' getting a lovely reception from the crowd at this year's Celtic Connections.

1. Ana Gog http://www.facebook.com/anagogmusic

Ana Gog released an EP a good few years back and have since been preparing their debut album which is apparently on the way in the coming weeks. Ana Gog's sound, to me anyway, is completely unique. The best way to describe it is that they are taking that 70's Genesis sound and re-inventing and updating it. The vocals are pitch perfect, the musicianship is top notch and their songs are inspirational. Best act in Ireland at the moment? Yes!

Comments

Crack a Lack said…

No sign of Mick Flannery on your list one of the best singer songwriters to ever come out of Ireland and has a newly released No 1 selling album ? Surprised to say the least !!!

11 May 2012 at 22:14

Unknown said…

Yeah point taken. I seen him last year live and was really impressed. The thing is I've only just bought his new album this week and therefore when I made the list 'White Lies' released a number of years back meant he didn't really qualify. I've written about 500+ Irish bands so the likelihood is that everyone reading this will see I've missed someone out. It's only meant to be a quick snapshot of my current tastes and not to be taken too seriously.

12 May 2012 at 13:17

James Camien McGuiggan said…

Ana Gog and Wicker Bones are the only bands here I previously knew. I can't compare them against other Irish bands therefore, but there's no question that they're one of the most interesting bands around. (I would compare them to Radiohead, although they need to mature a bit (let's see what they do with the new album!).) But clearly, I said to myself, you've taste, to rate them so highly; so this page is now stored in my favourites as a useful resource about the state of the Irish music scene. I've listened to a couple other bands, and I like them so far!

Thanks for posting this, is the point. :)

7 July 2012 at 22:28

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Top 50 Irish Acts in Ireland Today

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