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 ....
50. Heritage Centre http://www.facebook.com/theheritagecentre
49. Seamus Fogarty http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seamus-Fogarty-Music/112030042201855
48. The Man Whom http://www.facebook.com/themanwhom
47. SJ McArdle http://www.facebook.com/sjmcardlemusic
46. Allie Bradley http://www.facebook.com/alliebrads
45. Drunken Boat http://www.facebook.com/drunkenboatie
44. Polly Barrett http://www.facebook.com/pages/Polly-Barrett-Music/108088589256392
43. The Manhattan Syndrome http://www.facebook.com/TheManhattanSyndrome
42. Aaron Shanley http://www.facebook.com/aaronshanley
41. Bouts http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bouts/275118665844806
40. Shannon http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannon/354158321282914
39. Preachers Son http://www.facebook.com/preacherssonofficial
38. Wicker Bones http://www.facebook.com/WickerBones
37. Pearse McGloughlin http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pearse-McGloughlin/153142284726895
36. Eric McGrath http://www.facebook.com/EricMcGrathMusica
35. Ghost Estates http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ghost-estates/143095429068791
34. The Henry Girls http://www.thehenrygirls.com
33. Rams Pocket Radio http://soundcloud.com/ramspocketradio/tracks
32. The Dirty 9s http://www.facebook.com/theDirty9s
31. The Crayon Set http://www.facebook.com/thecrayonset
30. Twin Terrace http://www.facebook.com/twinterrace
29. The Lost Brothers http://www.facebook.com/thelostbrothers
28. Little Green Cars http://www.facebook.com/littlegreencars
27. Fox E. & The Good Hands http://foxeandthegoodhands.com/
26. Valentine Black http://www.facebook.com/valentineblack
25. Youth Mass http://www.facebook.com/thisisyouthmass
24. Autumn Long http://www.facebook.com/Autumnlongmusic
23. Arrow in the Sky http://www.facebook.com/arrowinthesky
22. Storyfold http://www.facebook.com/storyfold
21. Senakah http://www.facebook.com/senakah.ireland
20. Fling http://www.facebook.com/Flingfolk
19. The Riot Tapes http://www.facebook.com/TheRiotTapes
18. The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock http://www.facebook.com/thespookofthethirteenthlock
17. We Cut Corners http://www.facebook.com/wecutcorners
16. Ham Sandwich http://www.hamsandwichmusic.com/
15. Sive http://www.facebook.com/siveband
14. Wallis Bird http://www.wallisbird.com/
13. Lisa Hanningan http://www.facebook.com/lisahannigan
12. A Plastic Rose http://www.facebook.com/aplasticrose
11. David Hope http://www.facebook.com/davehopemusic
10. The Gorgeous Colours https://www.facebook.com/TheGorgeousColours
Indie tunes with a splash of fine trumpet and superb vocals sum up The Gorgeous Colours. Their 2008 debut album was good but everything they've released since then has been excellent. How good is this tune 'Chopped Heart'? Can't wait for album number two!
9. Bona Fide Federation http://www.facebook.com/bonafidefederation
Cork's Bona Fide Federation makes the list due to the amazing vocals of Triona O'Neill. Their jazzy radio friendly pop is enhanced by the spectacular lead vocals.
8. Junah http://www.junah.com/
Junah are beginning to frustrate me. I've been waiting for years to listen to the wonderful album that they are capable of but instead they release a four track EP which is free through their website. Junah are a quality band with thoughtful folk rock songs.
7. Bill Coleman http://bcoleman.com/
Bill Coleman was a busy man in 2011 releasing a song a week through his bandcamp page. Among the 50 tunes there were some real gems including a cover of Kanye West's 'Runaway', the superhero theme tune 'Maximilliano and this tune 'Turn The Lights Down Low'.
6. The Young Folk http://www.facebook.com/TheYoungFolkMusic
When Anthony Furey formed The Young Folk he brought together five wonderfully talented musicians to create an energetic folk sound that's as good live as on cd. Their debut EP consists of some great songs and their live performances are always top quality.
The full list on Friday!
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