The female Irish artists to see live this summer
Whether it’s scoping out new voices on the smaller stages at festivals, or catching them in your local live venue, these female Irish acts should be on your radar for the summer ahead.
Orla Gartland
21 May, The Grand Social, tickets here
Dublin singer Orla Gartland’s music and accompanying visuals are an extension of her personality, oozing with quirky colour and starkly honest lyrics. Her 2019 tune ‘Why Am I Like This?’ appeared on Netflix’s Heartstopper, to massive acclaim, and with new solo music on the way, now’s the time to get acquainted.
shiv
24 May, The Summer Special w/ Sunflower Sessions, Dublin, tickets here
You may recognise shiv from having supported Lana Del Rey in Dublin last summer, and this DJ turned singer-songwriter/producer has blended an abundance of musical influences into a low-fi, R&B, silky smooth sound unique to her.
Pastiche
26 May, Rock Against Homelessness, 3Olympia Theatre, tickets here
If you haven’t heard a Pastiche tune before, think of the likes of Dua Lipa, Caroline Polachek, and Jessie Ware, but make it Irish (and therefore better, obviously). Pop princess status. Headlining this year’s Rock Against Homelessness alongside LYRA, Aimeé, Toshin and more, prepare to dance.
Gemma Dunleavy
2 June, Forbidden Fruit, Dublin, tickets here
Dublin city R&B artist Gemma Dunleavy is all about celebrating North Inner City family and community through her music, and her breakthrough single ‘Up De Flats’ made her a mainstay of the city’s scene ever since. Make sure you catch her at Forbidden Fruit this June.
Holly Munro
8 June, The Workman’s Cellar, Dublin, tickets here
Dublin singer-songwriter Holly Munro’s distinctive indie-pop sound and ethereal voice are captivating, and her lyrics are all about unspooling the thread of the human condition, so prepare to feel some feelings.
CMAT
13 June, Fairview Park, Dublin, tickets here
An international country pop princess that requires little introduction, CMAT has been blowing up on a global scale over the past couple of years, and well, we absolutely love to see it. She’ll be playing support for one Mr. Paolo Nutini in Limerick city this July, but we would advise catching her headline show at Fairview Park this June.
Ailbhe Reddy
21-23 June, Beyond the Pale, Wicklow, tickets here
If you like your music intensely moving and emotionally cathartic, Ailbhe Reddy’s engulfing catalogue of alt-folk music will make you feel seen and heard and part of a universal experience. Definitely a name to keep your eyes peeled for if you’re heading to Beyond the Pale this year.
Elaine Mai and MayKay
21-23 June, Beyond the Pale, Wicklow, tickets here // 1-4 August, All Together Now, tickets here
Singer-songwriter MayKay (of Fight Like Apes) and musician and producer Elaine Mai are longtime collaborators, and have just released a new single, ‘We Are’, with all proceeds going towards Lajee Centre in Aida Refugee Camp. The track features the voices of some of the young people in the centre, recorded by MayKay while she was in Palestine in early 2023. Stream the song, and make sure to stop by their sets on the festival circuit this summer.
Niamh Regan
14 November, Cyprus Avenue, Cork, tickets here // 15 November, Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin, tickets here
Galway singer-songwriter Niamh Regan—who has played support slots for CMAT, Villagers and more—is in the process of releasing music from her second album, Come As You Are. Her folk-tinged songs are restrained and reflective, and her voice has a haunting quality that makes you want to listen that little bit more carefully.
Celaviedmai
Stream ISSA NEW ERA on Spotify here
Having just stepped into a new era with her brand new aptly titled EP ISSA NEW ERA, Celaviedmai should be bursting from every sound system this summer. Her sound’s shifting and evolving with every release, and it’s exciting to see. Follow along on socials to catch any live gigs over the coming months.
Feature images sourced from CMAT, Celaviedmai, and Elaine Mai
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