[2025] The Wonderful Irish: Popular Bands from Ireland

AngelNewDad

NewDad – Angel (Visualiser)

Formed in Galway, Ireland in 2020, NewDad are a four-piece band known for their ethereal sound and ghostly vocals.

Inspired by alternative rock from the 1980s and ’90s, their music bears strong influences from The Cure and Pixies.

They made their debut in July 2021 with the EP “Waves,” followed by their second EP “Banshee” the next year.

In January 2024, they released their highly anticipated debut album “Madra,” drawing attention as one of the most exciting young bands spearheading the shoegaze revival.

Highly recommended for listeners seeking dreamy, atmospheric sounds.

My LoveWestlife

Westlife – My Love (Official Video)

When it comes to British and Irish acts that debuted in the 1990s and achieved massive success, names like Take That, Boyzone, and the group featured here, Westlife, are likely to come to mind first.

Formed in Ireland in 1998, Westlife is a male vocal group that enjoys immense popularity, particularly across Europe.

Managed by a member of their Irish seniors, Boyzone, they shot straight to No.

1 on the UK charts with their 1999 debut single “Swear It Again.” Their self-titled debut album, released the same year, sold six million copies worldwide, catapulting them into the top tier of pop groups.

Although their name recognition in Japan lagged somewhat behind popular groups like the Backstreet Boys, their talent and strong material were beyond question.

They hold several world records, including achieving seven consecutive UK No.

1 singles.

Although they sadly disbanded in 2012, they reunited in 2018 to mark their 20th anniversary and showcased their continued vitality with the release of their comeback album “Spectrum” the following year.

BreathlessThe Corrs

The Corrs – Breathless [Official Video]

The band that evolved traditional Irish folk into contemporary pop and achieved overwhelming worldwide success is The Corrs, formed by three sisters and their brother.

Their 1995 debut album, Forgiven, Not Forgotten—also known in Japan by the title Harukanaru Omoi—was produced by the masterful David Foster and instantly became a global hit.

Their subsequent albums, Talk on Corners (1997) and In Blue (2000), were also major successes, establishing them as a band Ireland can proudly present to the world.

Their music is characterized by a uniquely Irish sense of clarity and freshness, the folk-infused tones of violin and tin whistle, and the beautiful, catchy melodies woven by their exceptional sisterly harmonies.

These elements fuse at a high level with the distinctly ’90s digital pop sound to create a style that is uniquely their own.

I guarantee that spending a leisurely morning on a sunny day with The Corrs as your background music will put you in the happiest of moods!

LawmanGilla Band

Gilla Band – Lawman [offical video]

Formed in 2011 and hailing from Dublin, the capital of Ireland, Gilla Band is a group that has drawn attention for its distinctive sound blending post-punk and noise rock.

They released their debut album, Holding Hands with Jamie, in March 2015, achieving success on the charts in Ireland and the UK.

Marked by Dara Kiely’s dramatic vocals, distorted guitar riffs, and intense rhythms, the band is highly regarded for pushing the boundaries of music.

On their 2022 album, Most Normal, they showcased an even greater spirit of musical adventure.

Their powerful live performances are another major draw.

It’s a band well-suited to listeners seeking challenging music.

I’m In the Mood for DancingThe Nolans

The Nolans – I’m In the Mood for Dancing (Official Video)

If you spent your youth during the heyday of Western pop from the 1970s to the 1980s, you might find yourself narrowing your eyes with nostalgia.

The Nolans, known in Japan for “I’m in the Mood for Dancing” under the Japanese title “Dancing Sister,” are a sister group from Ireland.

They originated from a family act called The Singing Nolans; after the parents left, the remaining daughters relaunched as the Nolan Sisters and made their full-fledged debut in 1974.

The aforementioned “I’m in the Mood for Dancing” was released in 1979 and became a major hit across Europe.

The following year, they changed their name to The Nolans, and in Japan, “I’m in the Mood for Dancing,” released as “Dancing Sister,” astonishingly reached No.

1 on the Oricon Singles Chart.

They earned the distinction of being the first overseas group to top the Oricon comprehensive singles chart with a domestic debut single, and the first overseas female group to reach No.

1.

Their quintessentially era-defining, danceable pop-disco sound gives the sense that, in the 2020s—when retro disco is surging in popularity—if someone were to cover it again, it could become a massive hit.

Teenage KicksThe Undertones

The Undertones – Teenage Kicks (Official Video)

Ireland has produced many great punk bands, to the point that there’s even a genre called Irish punk, which fuses traditional Irish folk with punk.

The Undertones, whom we’re featuring this time, are a straight-ahead, catchy punk-to-power-pop band.

They’re well known among fans of ’70s punk, and their original vocalist, Feargal Sharkey, later found success as a solo artist and became a venerable figure in British rock.

The Undertones reunited in 1999 with a new vocalist, and above all, their indelible achievement is creating the eternal anthem “Teenage Kicks.” It’s known as the song BBC Radio 1’s legendary DJ John Peel loved most in his lifetime; its greatness is evident from the fact that Green Day covered it under a pseudonym, and even The Killers—and, surprisingly, One Direction—have performed it live.

In Japan, Thee Michelle Gun Elephant also covered it.

It’s a magical classic that lets anyone, anytime, feel like they’re back in their teens.

Of course, many of their other songs also feature simple, catchy melodies!

WHAT YOU KNOWTwo Door Cinema Club

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB | WHAT YOU KNOW

Two Door Cinema Club are now regulars on the main stages of rock festivals around the world and a top-tier, drumless trio from Ireland.

Formed in 2007, they drew attention by signing with KITSUNÉ, the French label that helped lead 2000s music culture, and even made their first trip to Japan for an event in 2009 before releasing an album.

Even then, their performance skills and songwriting were startlingly mature for newcomers, and their 2010 debut album, Tourist History, surpassed expectations and won widespread acclaim.

Their follow-up, 2012’s Beacon, hit No.

1 on the UK charts, cementing their status as a top band in both name and reality.

Their sound is a hybrid that distills the best elements of indie rock, dance-pop, and 2000s emo, featuring a tender vocal delivery and wistful melodies that particularly resonate with Japanese listeners.

Expressive guitar lines and bass parts that are both danceable and melodic are also highlights.

If you’re new to their music, starting with their classic first album is highly recommended!