[2025] The Wonderful Irish: Popular Bands from Ireland

HEAVYSprints

SPRINTS – HEAVY (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

The rising band Sprints, hailing from Dublin, Ireland’s capital, are drawing attention with a sound rooted in punk and grunge.

Formed in 2019, the four-piece released their debut album, Letter to Self, in January 2024 to strong critical acclaim.

They earned an astonishing score of 84 on Metacritic, and quickly became a hot prospect, reaching No.

11 on the Irish charts and No.

20 in the UK.

Known for their live performances, their 2023 tour drew praise as “electrifying.” Their fierce yet delicate musicality—evoking influences like Patti Smith and PJ Harvey—captures the hearts of punk rock fans and doesn’t let go.

A Life Less OrdinaryAsh

ASH – A Life Less Ordinary (Official Video)

Ash are the ultimate rock trio who debuted in 1995 while still in high school—the “enfants terribles” born of Northern Ireland.

Formed by two childhood friends and an older schoolmate two years their senior, Ash rode the Britpop wave to prominence with disarmingly youthful, romantic lyrics, irresistibly catchy melodies, and a simple yet thunderous alternative rock sound.

There’s a famous anecdote from that time: they turned down the honor of opening for Green Day’s tour because they had exams.

In 1996 they released their debut album, 1977, achieving the extraordinary feat of hitting No.

1 on the UK charts while still in their teens.

In 1998, guitarist Charlotte Hatherley joined, making Ash a four-piece; with their third album, Free All Angels, in 2001, they achieved global success.

Hatherley left in 2006, and since then Ash have continued as a trio.

They’re devoted Japanophiles who visit the country regularly.

Listening to their music—so straightforwardly “great songs”—makes you want to grab an instrument and start a band!

Not Your SummerThe Academic

The Academic – Not Your Summer

The Academic is an indie rock band from Ireland, a four-piece formed in 2013.

They released their debut album, Tales from the Backseat, in January 2018, which reached No.

1 on the Irish Albums Chart.

Their music, inspired by 2000s retro rock, is heavily influenced by The Strokes.

In 2020, they signed with Capitol Records, and in 2023 they released their second album, Sitting Pretty.

While embracing innovative ideas, they’ve built a strong connection with their fans.

Prioritizing live performance, they have expanded their international presence, including serving as the opening act for Louis Tomlinson’s North American tour.

Their music, weaving in themes of youth experiences and growth, is sure to resonate.

HeavyFlorence Road

Florence Road – Heavy (live from the garage)

Florence Road, a four-piece band of childhood friends from Ireland, formed in 2019.

Cutting their teeth with garage rehearsals, they steadily honed their skills and drew attention by posting cover songs, and now they’re showing signs of a global breakthrough.

Rooted in alternative/indie rock, they self-released their first single in 2022.

Their major-label debut, Heavy, released in March 2025, racked up over 10 million likes on TikTok and rapidly boosted their profile.

Their deal with Warner Music can be seen as proof that the industry holds their talent in high regard.

With vocalist Lily Aron’s piercing, affecting voice—evoking The Cranberries and Phoebe Bridgers—and the band’s powerful sound, they embody the next generation of indie rock.

If you love emotional music, this is a band you absolutely need to check out.

The Whole of the MoonThe Waterboys

The Waterboys – The Whole of the Moon [Official HD Remastered Video]

Although formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, The Waterboys are highly popular for their sound that fuses Irish traditional music and rock.

In 2016, when frontman Mike Scott married Japanese artist Rokudenashiko, the band’s name became known even among people unfamiliar with their music.

The Waterboys, veterans formed in 1983, released outstanding works early in their career after moving to Ireland and embracing Irish music, growing into a popular band especially across Europe.

Though they were effectively inactive from the mid-1990s, they rebooted in the 2000s with a revamped lineup and resumed vigorous activity.

In recent years, amid a wave of reevaluation, they’ve been releasing albums regularly, delighting fans worldwide.

Since the band is led by Mike Scott, renowned as one of rock’s great lyricists, when you listen to their music, be sure to pay attention not only to the sound but also to the lyrics.

The Morning DewThe Chieftains

The Chieftains – The Morning Dew

The Chieftains are a national treasure born of Ireland—a living legend still in motion—renowned worldwide for updating traditional Irish trad and Celtic music with a modern sensibility.

Formed in 1962, their original six-member lineup has since dwindled to three, yet with the help of younger supporting musicians they continued to mount energetic world tours well into the 2010s—an achievement that is remarkable in itself.

Their name spread overnight when they provided songs such as “Women of Ireland” for Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece Barry Lyndon, earning an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Since then, they’ve collaborated across genres with numerous artists in rock, pop, and classical music, and have been honored with six Grammy Awards.

They have released over 45 albums, making it difficult to cover their entire catalog, but a good place to start is with a best-of compilation.

From there, you might try Irish Heartbeat, their collaboration with fellow Irishman Van Morrison, which brought them global success.

Love Will Set You FreeKodaline

Kodaline – Love Will Set You Free (Official Video)

Kodaline are a four-piece band from Ireland that follows in the lineage of heavyweights like their illustrious Irish seniors U2 and COLDPLAY, the pinnacle of lyrical UK rock since the 2000s.

Hugely popular in their home country, they are a rock band beloved in Japan as well, thanks to their grand soundscapes that draw arena crowds into sing-along swells, their overwhelming melodic beauty, and superb choral work—all while maintaining an unpretentious presence.

Their debut album, In a Perfect World, released in 2013, topped the charts in Ireland and debuted at No.

3 in the UK, marking major success right out of the gate.

The four albums they released through 2020 all boast a high level of craftsmanship, and anyone with a weakness for lyrical UK rock woven from beautiful melodies and vocals is sure to fall in love with them.

The harmony between their expansive scale and a delicate yet powerful band ensemble creates a flavor distinct from American stadium rock, and their melodies—resonating deeply with Japanese sensibilities—can move listeners to tears.