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20th December 2016
12:18am GMT
Ireland has a seriously impressive amount of musical talent for such a tiny little island. And even more great acts are crawling out of the woodwork this year, it seems.
Here's just 8 of the truly incredible performers we're hoping to see on the festival circuit this year...
DJ Deece, otherwise known as Mr. Niall D'Arcy, has been a regular on the Dublin music scene for several years now, being resident DJ at Workman's, as well as popping up absolutely everywhere else.
His festival sets are things of beauty and this has clearly been noticed as he's recently started up his own set of club nights called The Deece Series with Hidden Agenda. Catch him tonight at Opium Rooms.
VOXX is made up of Conor Thornton, Andrew Martin and Tim Wyse who have a selection of quality festivals and gigs (including Trinity Ball, Electric Picnic and Indiependence) under their belt, despite their short time together.
Their latest single Glamour Puss (available to hear on their website and their Soundcloud) is being released upstairs at Whelan's on Saturday at 8:30pm.
Judging by Jim Carroll's review of their previous single: "Stuck On My Mind is a crackling, broody, noir-doused hit of uber sweet Rock N Roll, here's hoping for more..", and the fact that even Piers Morgan is a fan, I think we're in for a treat.
A festival favourite across Europe, Booka Brass Band know how to get a crowd going.
In the past few months they have opened shows for New Orleans own Hot 8 Brass Band and the critically acclaimed Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. It's their range of high energy self-written tunes combined with wildly intelligent covers of Jason Derulo's Talk Dirty and Beyonce's Crazy In Love have crowds screaming for more.
Clubs in Dublin know they're always guaranteed full capacity when the boys are playing, meaning they're always trying their hardest to get them to play - which is good for us, because we just can't get enough.
Squarehead are three dudes called Ian, Ruan and Roy who have a penchant for edgy photos and an ear for tunes.
Back in 2012 the guys were asked to play the Eurosonic festival in the Netherlands as well as SXSW in Texas and CMW in Canada. They followed up their SXSW appearances with a short tour taking in Boston and New York. Not wasting any time on their return the band then got stuck into recording for their next release as well as appearing at festivals including Indiependence, Pig Stock and Electric Picnic.
Their influences include 'all of it' (everyone from Frankie Valli to Nirvana) and their sound is nothing short of energetic.
PolyGlove are a Stoneybatter based electronic duo. With backgrounds in Fine Art and Film, Niall Conroy and Stephen Maguire combine their sonic and cinematic craft into a singular artistic production.
They're regular favourites on Cian Ó Cíobháin's show An Taobh Tuathail, and their music has been described as 'analog lo-fi dreamy techno from beyond the astral plane'.
Expect to see these guys taking over the festival circuit this Summer.
Elm is made up of five incredible artists (Dylan Walsh, Aidan Clancy, Gary Molloy, Cathy Ahearne and Ruth Cronin) from Dublin and they have a dark earthy sound. Their music is as soothing as it is inspiring and truly transports to another planet.
They work brilliantly as a team, allowing shadow and light to form the most beautiful person of themselves. A sound that Ireland hasn't heard in years. Definitely ones to watch.
Hailing from the small Gaeltacht village of Corr na Móna, Galway’s Maria Somerville makes slow, moving music with the barest of instruments and the most delicate of touch. Somerville creates experimental music influenced by the rugged and barren landscapes of her native Connemara on Ireland’s west coast. Her music contains intricate folk roots and warm electronic textures.
With a voice like a fond memory, Maria's music is one which you'll want to experience again and again.
Joni is originally a classically trained violinist whose musical education and sound straddles the divide between the organic instrument and the electronic bass world. Her naturally soulful singing style is combined with electronic beats and smart lyrics to make a sound all of her own.
The Wicklow singer, along with her production partner Richie Kaboogie, have concocted an underground electronic style, inspired by Burial and Paul Woolford.
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