There was a whole host of genre-spanning bands playing in The Academy on Abbey Street recently.

It was a who’s who of the heavier side of Irish music. We caught up with six of those bands to see what their outlook on Dublin City’s music scene is right now.

“It’s growing stronger than ever. Bands like Only Rivals and Red Enemy are paving the way for what music in Ireland should be. Real, intense, and packed full of energy.”

James, Wounds

“Right now the music scene in Dublin is as strong as it’s ever been from what I can remember. We have so many different bands across all genres getting the recognition they deserve.

“Bands are killing it live, picking up record deals/management and there’s more and more Irish bands getting national and international coverage. It’s great!”

Lefty, Red Enemy

“The scene in Dublin at the moment is pretty strange. In one sense, there’s a huge focus on it from an international perspective and it’s fucking cool to see some acts getting huge hype because of that.

“At the same time, lots of really great bands and acts are breaking up, so it’s a sort of a paradox. It’s a double edged sword, baby.”

Rob, Otherkin

“I think the Dublin music scene is thriving now more than ever, especially regarding bands mixing together and actually creating a community of different genres instead of everyone sticking to their own genre and that’s it.

“Lineups like the Ys Festival show you can have multiple different genres involved in the same gig and still have a positive reaction.”

Tara, Spines

“From what we were a part of on Thursday night (Ys Festival) I can happily say that the Dublin music scene is alive and well. Being a Dublin hardcore band, most of the bands that we’re usually exposed to and gig with are hardcore bands, but even the hardcore scene is growing in size and strength recently, with new younger bands popping up and getting better and heavier by the day.

“It was great to be able to share the stage with so many different and talented bands at the Ys Festival, bands that we usually would not be on the same show as. It was also really cool to see two bands that have backed us since we started, Red Enemy and Nibiru, being the headliners of the two stages.

“So yeah, the Dublin hardcore, metal, rock & alternative scene seem to be kicking pretty hard these days, and long may it last.

Ciarán, Hollow Truth

“The Dublin and Irish music scene today is bursting at the seams with very talented bands, singers and musicians of all descriptions and genres.

“There’s an abundance of venues, affordable recording facilities and gig opportunities, a lot of support and advice available through organisations such as IMRO and The Arts Council and there seems to be a move towards a more ethical approach from patrons and promoters such as the organisers of Canalaphonic, and now KnockanStockan Festivals who are ensuring that all performers get paid to play.”

Sid, Mother Mooch

Photos by Liam Devine