Irish music scene

pragmatic1

Why doesn't Ireland produce bands making popular music like the UK. Apart from U2, we've very few internationally known acts. Can't stand most of our singer songwriters apart from Damien Dempsey. On the other hand our trad is in my opinion probably the best folk music in the world.

Anesthetize

Republic of Ireland. Population: 4.595 million
United Kingdom. Population: 64.1 million

pragmatic1

I know. But even still, a small nation can still produce a lot of talent. Jamaica population 2.715. They punch well above their weight.

Ubbquittious

We are too busy enjoying the fresh air outside or drinking pints in the pub. The English on the other hand, are all bored sh!tless and depresssed stuck in their apartments and red brick houses bored out of their absolute skulls.

Until one fella out of frustration decides to make a YouTube video of himself strumming the absolute sh!te out of an electric guitar while jumping up and down on the couch after 1 can of coke from the fridge too many.

Then he gets a few comments from some of the bored people saying "thats actually quite good m8" and he starts on his path to become an international act.

Thats how all British bands start off

shane9689

We actually punch way above our weight too. a lot of famous artists coming from ireland. Jamaica is an exception. It was a newly founded colony that threw a bunch of different musically inclined cultures together... it was new and exciting music. Ireland suffered the opposite faith, we have mass migration, even if an irish lad makes a song he will probably leave and do it elsewhere because there's not enough money in it to make music hits here, better off moving to london or new york.

Anesthetize

pragmatic1 wrote: »

I know. But even still, a small nation can still produce a lot of talent. Jamaica population 2.715. They punch well above their weight.

True. But comparing a country with a small population like Ireland with the UK doesn't make much sense.

I still think that Ireland has produced a decent amount of acts who are internationally known in particular circles:

My Bloody Valentine
Thin Lizzy
Rory Gallagher
Taste
Damien Rice
Enya
Sinéad O'Connor
Hozier
Primordial
God is an Astronaut
Virgin Prunes
Planxty
The Cranberries

I'm not a fan of all of these, I'm just throwing them out as examples.

Silentcorner

Ireland has always had an excellent music scene...

Dublin is prolific at producing excellent talent...at any given time there are always about 3/4 s***hot bands on the scene...

Check out the diversity of these songs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtgzfwAaBxI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtf7hC17IBM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeQhjDoy3l0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CshpZTyEqs0

They are just 4 songs appealling to different demographics...I could easily stay here all night post similar examples...it is one of the things I love about Dublin actually...

Then you get the stalwarts like BellX1/The Frames/The Coronas/The (hated) Script...and then beauties like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDBpu7LcR7s ....

The only way to appreciate talent is to get in front of it...this country is full of it....

Cork/Limerick/Waterford also have a good scene, but in cities of that size it is hard to get national traction..and forget about getting any meaningful radio coverage...

You just happened to compare us to the Brits, who are one of the most prolific of all nations for producing talent...a good few of whom, by the way are sons/daughters of Irish expats...

Ferrari3600

Silentcorner wrote: »

You just happened to compare us to the Brits, who are one of the most prolific of all nations for producing talent...a good few of whom, by the way are sons/daughters of Irish expats...

Yep.

Kate Bush - one of her parents was Irish.
Suede - Bernard Butler was from Dun Laoghaire
Oasis
The Smiths
The Sex Pistols
Boy George (real name George O'Dowd)

etc

Temptamperu

RTE dont support young Irish talents.

Ireland does have some decent musicians , on Paul McCloone show, a few pop up on his shows, a live session of 3songs usually on Wednesday night....better than Adele/Sheeran or the pop crap they shove down the publics throat

Burial.

Eden/The Eden Project is the best singer/songwriter I've came across in years. He's going to be huge. Starting to blow up a little.

youreadthat

Ubbquittious wrote: »

We are too busy enjoying the fresh air outside or drinking pints in the pub. The English on the other hand, are all bored sh!tless and depresssed stuck in their apartments and red brick houses bored out of their absolute skulls.

Until one fella out of frustration decides to make a YouTube video of himself strumming the absolute sh!te out of an electric guitar while jumping up and down on the couch after 1 can of coke from the fridge too many.

Then he gets a few comments from some of the bored people saying "thats actually quite good m8" and he starts on his path to become an international act.

Thats how all British bands start off

Pubs are unheard of in England.

greenflash

Temptamperu wrote: »

RTE dont support young Irish talents.

The Irish public generally don't support Irish talent if they can help it. You have to go to England to get glam enough. Same with football players. Hardly anyone wants to support LOI teams or idolize their players but put them on a plane to Gatwick and they're the best thing since chocolate coated blowjobs with a finger up yer hole.

Grandeeod

Over the years, Ireland has had a lot of great bands. Intinially Irish Radio played those bands and people like me bought the singles and albums based on that airplay. The same bands got signed by labels and the same labels put **** all effort into promoting them in the UK. During this period Thin Lizzy, the rats, U2 broke through. Van the man had done it earlier. Chris De Burgh only made it after lady in red. Its a mixed bag that got ****ed once Louie Walsh came along.

We got a breakthrough with pop eventually but at the expense of many many great Irish bands that I could list all night. I leave here with this great tune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlcSZotpAhE

Testament1

pragmatic1 wrote: »

Why doesn't Ireland produce bands making popular music like the UK. Apart from U2, we've very few internationally known acts. Can't stand most of our singer songwriters apart from Damien Dempsey. On the other hand our trad is in my opinion probably the best folk music in the world.

All relative really. Ireland has a wealth of musical talent but that doesn't mean they're all going to make it big internationally. Irish metal bands do pretty well for themselves in the international scene but that's a niche market.

Dave_The_Sheep

pragmatic1 wrote: »

Jamaica population 2.715. They punch well above their weight.

Jamaica, really*? Seriously?

*My answer is tongue in cheek, because I don't really pay attention to the modern music scene, being more a film-score/classical fan, but other than Marley and maybe Shaggy, I can't think of a Jamaican artist that's really hit it big.

Electric Sheep

There should be a special place in hell for Irish people who use the phrase "punching above our weight" outside of boxing discussions.

Angel Crow

Anesthetize wrote: »

My Bloody Valentine
Thin Lizzy
Rory Gallagher
Taste
Damien Rice
Enya
Sinéad O'Connor
Hozier
Primordial
God is an Astronaut
Virgin Prunes
Planxty
The Cranberries
.

You forgot Six.

Anesthetize

Anesthetize wrote: »

True. But comparing a country with a small population like Ireland with the UK doesn't make much sense.

I still think that Ireland has produced a decent amount of acts who are internationally known in particular circles:

My Bloody Valentine
Thin Lizzy
Rory Gallagher
Taste
Damien Rice
Enya
Sinéad O'Connor
Hozier
Primordial
God is an Astronaut
Virgin Prunes
Planxty
The Cranberries

I'm not a fan of all of these, I'm just throwing them out as examples.

Who or what are Primordial? I'd say the international circles that likes Damien Rice or the Virgin Prunes are rather small.

I'd say you could throw out a similar list from a lot of countries, Scotland or Wales being obvious ones...

exaisle

Deleted User wrote: »

Who or what are Primordial?

Kinda extreme metal version of Horslips....from north county Dublin...sponsored by several hair care product manufacturers, not.

Ah, thanks.

We must be one of the worst countries in the world at producing electronic acts. Unless we claim the Aphex Twin, in which case we immediately become one of the best. But otherwise even Belgium whip us, with their Telex, Soulwax, CJ Bolland etc. And Belgium is a musical wasteland.

Dr Crayfish

youreadthat wrote: »

Pubs are unheard of in England.

I hope you're being sarcastic. England has the best pubs in the world.

Dr Crayfish

Deleted User wrote: »

Ah, thanks.

We must be one of the worst countries in the world at producing electronic acts. Unless we claim the Aphex Twin, in which case we immediately become one of the best. But otherwise even Belgium whip us, with their Telex, Soulwax, CJ Bolland etc. And Belgium is a musical wasteland.

They invented the saxophone ffs, there'd be no careless whisper without it

gramar

pragmatic1 wrote: »

I know. But even still, a small nation can still produce a lot of talent. Jamaica population 2.715. They punch well above their weight.

Bob Marley and who else?

Where I live I hear U2, The Cranberries, Enya, Sinead O'Connor, Hozier, Van Morrison, Ash, The Corrs, The Boomtown Rats and The Script on mainstream stations every day of the week.

On a few other stations catering for more specific tastes you'll hear The Undertones, Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore, Two Door Cinema Club and others.

I won't even bother mentioning the likes of Westlife and Boyzone. Oh look...I just did.

Sofiztikated

Deleted User wrote: »

Ah, thanks.

We must be one of the worst countries in the world at producing electronic acts. Unless we claim the Aphex Twin, in which case we immediately become one of the best. But otherwise even Belgium whip us, with their Telex, Soulwax, CJ Bolland etc. And Belgium is a musical wasteland.

Ambivalent.
Sunil Sharpe.
Jamie Behan.
Matador.
White Collar Boy.
New Jackson.
Chymera.
Brame and Hamo.
Defekt.
Tinfoil (Sunil Sharpe and Defekt)
Enter the Void.
Daire Carolan.
Niall Clery
Barry Redsetta.

et al.

Hardly a wasteland.

DominoDub

Belgium's Finest !

Omackeral

Sofiztikated wrote: »

Ambivalent.
Sunil Sharpe.
Jamie Behan.
Matador.
White Collar Boy.
New Jackson.
Chymera.
Brame and Hamo.
Defekt.
Tinfoil (Sunil Sharpe and Defekt)
Enter the Void.
Daire Carolan.
Niall Clery
Barry Redsetta.

et al.

Hardly a wasteland.

Household names every one of them.

Sofiztikated

Omackeral wrote: »

Household names every one of them.

Point was that he said Ireland doesn't produce electronic artists. We do.

Now, whether or not they are household names, that's different. If they don't get airplay on Irish stations, because electronic music is niche at best here, well they're less likely to become household stars. If they want to, that is.

jojofizzio

Angel Crow wrote: »

You forgot Six.

And Jedward

Anesthetize

Omackeral wrote: »

Household names every one of them.

Does it matter?

Angel Crow

Angel Crow wrote: »

You forgot Six.

Whipping Boy
Revelino
A-house
Kerbdog
Turn
Divine comedy

bodhrandude

Sofiztikated wrote: »

Ambivalent.
Sunil Sharpe.
Jamie Behan.
Matador.
White Collar Boy.
New Jackson.
Chymera.
Brame and Hamo.
Defekt.
Tinfoil (Sunil Sharpe and Defekt)
Enter the Void.
Daire Carolan.
Niall Clery
Barry Redsetta.

et al.

Hardly a wasteland.

Add:
Bicep from Belfast
Arron Nolan
Jimmy the Hideous Penguin
Kormac
Dark Room Notes
Saint Sister
Reid
Forrests
R.S.A.G
Grounds For Invasion
CLU
Fish Go Deep
King Kong Company
110th Street - Cian O’ Ciobhain and Cyril Briscoe from Galway
Shane Linehan
Shane Mannion
Donal Dineen
MMoths
Ryan Vail
Patrick Kelleher

wakka12

Its a pretty small country. How many slovakian or hungarian or new zealand bands and singers do you know hmm?

wakka12

wakka12 wrote: »

Its a pretty small country. How many slovakian or hungarian or new zealand bands and singers do you know hmm?

In electronic music?

B Complex, Fat Freddy's Drop...

Dolbert

There's a thriving and extremely diverse original music scene in Ireland if you're prepared to actually get out there and hear it. Not just "guys with guitars" but everything from pop, R&B and experimental electronica. Stuff that wouldn't be out of place on most radio stations, which is why it's even more baffling that so much of it gets ignored by Irish media (apart from a token "100% Irish" radio show on a Sunday night)

Surreptitious

Maverick Sabre.
Mick Flannery.
Walking on cars.

Superb musicians.

The_Valeyard

I'd add Snow Patrol to the list (Northern Irish)

FanadMan

Irish bands? New Irish music? "Locals Only" on Nova, Sunday evenings at 6. They are doing plenty for new Irish bands and releases. Most of what's played isn't my scene but it's a great chance for airtime for new acts.

Cool_CM

Deleted User wrote: »

Who or what are Primordial?

Primordial, as well as a number of other Irish metal acts, are huge outside of Ireland.

Here's an interesting read:

http://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-metal-festival-primordial-1626387-Aug2014/

Surreptitious

The Frames.
Whipping Boy.
The Pogues.


The list is endless. Can't believe this thread. Plus I've seen nearly all mentioned live and they were fab.

Surreptitious

Surreptitious wrote: »

Whipping Boy.
The Pogues.

The Dropkick Murphys
House of Pain

Ferris_Bueller

I would have thought the Irish music scene was very strong. U2, Thin Lizzy, Van Morrison, Sinead O'Connor, The Cranberries, The Corrs, Boyzone, Westlife, Hozier, Kodaline, The Coronas, Snow Patrol, Christy Moore, Enya, The Script, The Frames, Aslan, Bell X1, Damien Rice, Boomtown Rats, Jape, Le Galaxie, Republic of Loose, Roisin Murphy, Two Door Cinema Club, David Kitt, Bicep, Mano le Tough, **** Robot... The list goes on and on depending on what type of music you're into. For a country of our size I think we have a good selection and there is live music probably happening in every town in the country most weeks.

Sofiztikated

Deleted User wrote: »

The Dropkick Murphys
House of Pain

Both of which are American.

Anesthetize

Deleted User wrote: »

The Dropkick Murphys
House of Pain

You forgot Flogging Molly.

jpm4

Cool_CM wrote: »

Primordial, as well as a number of other Irish metal acts, are huge outside of Ireland.

Here's an interesting read:

http://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-metal-festival-primordial-1626387-Aug2014/

Eh primordial are a reasonablely big international act by underground standards, dunno about any other Irish bands.

Anesthetize

Primordial have two albums in the top 50 in Rate Your Music's top metal albums of the 00's
Link

Altar of Plagues were another brilliant Irish metal band who had more followers abroad than in Ireland. It's a shame they split up after three albums.

jpm4

Anesthetize wrote: »

Primordial have two albums in the top 50 in Rate Your Music's top metal albums of the 00's
Link

Altar of Plagues were another brilliant Irish metal band who had more followers abroad than in Ireland. It's a shame they split up after three albums.

I'd say most Irish metal bands have more fans abroad, sadly.

Cool_CM

jpm4 wrote: »

Eh primordial are a reasonablely big international act by underground standards, dunno about any other Irish bands.

Was about to mention Altar of Plagues. Cruachan too.

jpm4

Cool_CM wrote: »

Was about to mention Altar of Plagues. Cruachan too.

They're hardly big in fairness, maybe cruachan thats a stretch. Would they make the bill on a big festival?

DEFTLEFTHAND

pragmatic1 wrote: »

Why doesn't Ireland produce bands making popular music like the UK. Apart from U2, we've very few internationally known acts. Can't stand most of our singer songwriters apart from Damien Dempsey. On the other hand our trad is in my opinion probably the best folk music in the world.

Ireland punches above their weight.

Think of all the artists and bands who achieved worldwide recognition over the past 50 years or so.

Thin Lizzy, Rory Gallagher, Enya, The Corrs, Sinead O'Connor, Snow Patrol, Van Morrison, Chris de Burgh, Glen Hansard.

I'm sure I'm leaving out many more, my head is a little fryed at the moment.

gramar

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Ireland punches above their weight.

Think of all the artists and bands who achieved worldwide recognition over the past 50 years or so.

Thin Lizzy, Rory Gallagher, Enya, The Corrs, Sinead O'Connor, Snow Patrol, Van Morrison, Chris de Burgh, Glen Hansard.

I'm sure I'm leaving out many more, my head is a little fryed at the moment.

You could have left out Chrish de Burgh in fairness!