8 Irish Artists That Won Summer
Words: Rachel Hannon
Photo: Spiderweb
As summer 2024 has come to an end, it’s clear that Ireland’s music scene is still thriving with talent. There are so many artists making waves both here and abroad. Whether it be rising stars to established names continuing to make headlines, these Irish acts have truly owned the summer. Through redefining genres, captivating international audiences, or benefiting from virality, or creating both live and broadcast moments, here are eight artists whose accomplishments made them the soundtrack of summer 2024.
Aby Coulibaly
It’s clear that Lucan native Aby Coulibaly has had a stellar summer, and surely one she won’t forget. Not only did she support Coldplay at Croke Park for their sold-out stadium gigs over four nights, but she also performed on stage alongside Chris Martin for Colplay’s latest track, “We Pray.” In addition to this, Aby supported the likes of Olivia Dean on her sold-out UK tour, showcased tracks from her debut EP on national television, played various festivals across Ireland and the UK, wrestled with personal challenges, and all the while effortlessly oozed charisma, lyrical wisdom, and continued to provided a fresh wave of Irish R&B.
EDEN
Jonathon Ng, better known as EDEN, is arguably one of Ireland’s most successful musical exports. In just a few years, EDEN has gone from making beats in his bedroom while watching Deadmau5 live streams to selling out world tours. The Irish-Hong Kongese artist has solidified his place over the past 10 years, challenging the boundaries of electronic-pop music. His latest album, ICYMI, took him on a tour across North America, culminating in Europe. This summer, he teased us with singles from his ‘Friday Night Song’ EP, which is now finally here.
Jordan Adetunji
Belfast’s Jordan Adetunji saw his dreams come to life this summer with the release of his track ‘Kehlani’ named after the American R&B singer. Not only did the song become a viral hit, making its way into the UK Official Charts and Spotify’s US Viral 50, but Kehlani herself also remixed the track, completing a full-circle moment. Since a short snippet of the song first exploded online, Adetunji’s life has transformed. He has signed with Warner Records UK and 300 Entertainment, with headline gigs and more new music on the way.
CMAT
From being nominated for a Mercury Prize to headlining at Glastonbury Festival, CMAT has had an eventful summer. She also released her catchy country-pop track, “Aw, Shoot!,” and played a sold-out gig at Fairview Park in June 2024. As a Choice Music Prize winner, a previous performer on Jools Holland and The Graham Norton Show, it’s clear that CMAT is one of the brightest new pop stars on the scene, with even Elton John singing her praises.
Fontaines D.C.
The global success of their latest album, Romance, has once again put Fontaines D.C. on the map. While Liam Gallagher might not be a fan, the rest of us certainly are. The band kicked off their world tour and performed ‘Starburster’ on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. They also earned the seal of approval from Elton John, who called them “the best band out there right now.” Clearly, Elton knows what’s up when it comes to this exceptional Irish export.
Jazzy
This year, Jazzy became the first Irish woman to reach number one in over 14 years. Her stellar 2024 kicked off with a BRIT Award nomination, which was followed by an impressive run on the summer festival circuit. Although it may seem like she skyrocketed from working in a Tesco bakery to topping the charts, in reality, Jazzy spent years refining her craft, gigging, and recording, all while holding down her job. Now, her number one hit has cemented her place as an inspiration for aspiring musicians, and it’s clear that her success is only just beginning.
TraviS & Elzz
If having the first-ever Irish rap album to top the charts doesn’t mean you’re winning, then what does? Earlier this year, DOGHOUSE landed at number one, beating out the likes of Ariana Grande. The album features some of Ireland’s finest rappers, including SELLO and Monjola, and this summer, TraviS & Elzz performed it live at their headline gig at the Button Factory. Beyond music, the duo has also been busy with their fashion brand, Gilders, consistently dropping new clothing lines.
SLOUCHO
With spooky season approaching, it’s the perfect time for ghost DJ SLOUCHO, who also had an epic summer. SLOUCHO’s Boiler Room set at the AVA Festival is etched into our memories for the foreseeable future. While we still don’t know his identity, we do know that the mysterious NPC producer’s debut album has made waves in both the UK and Irish music scenes. Raised in the Wicklow Mountains, SLOUCHO’s unpredictable yet formulaic approach to music production on his debut has evidently gained him notoriety far beyond Ireland this summer.
