The Future of Irish Music 2025
Words: Rachel Hannon
Photography: George Voronov
With thanks to The Playground, Dublin.
We’ve teamed up with Hennessy to spotlight the trailblazing artists redefining Ireland’s music on their own terms. As we gear up for a series of intimate showcase events, we’ve spoken to the six exceptional acts poised to make significant strides in the coming year. Vaticanjail, Projective, Youngiz, Brawni, $ONA BLU€ and Keanu The Pilot share their artistic missions and visions for the future of Irish music.
Introduction
Each year, the District team convenes to discuss emerging Irish artists who are not only innovating but also producing music that captivates us. We look for those pushing the boundaries – not just sonically but culturally. These are the architects of tomorrow’s music scene, proving that Irish music has no limits. The six acts we’ve chosen have become staples in our playlists, each crafting a unique sonic universe that reflects their overarching vision.
Navigating today’s music industry is no small feat. If there was a guidebook or a ‘right’ way to do it, we’d all know about it. With the overwhelming noise of algorithm-driven platforms, the pressure to secure management, a label, consistent releases, sold-out gigs and merch – breaking through requires more than just talent. It demands resilience, motivation, creativity and authenticity. Yet, we firmly believe that exceptional music will always find its audience. These artists possess the potential to carve out distinctive paths and leave enduring marks on the industry. Whether they’re aiming for global recognition or inspiring avant-garde movements within Ireland, we’re here to champion their journeys. Without further ado, meet your Future of Irish Music: Class of 2025.
Vaticanjail
Vaticanjail isn’t here to fit in. Right in the heart of Dublin’s eclectic electronic music scene, Vaticanjail emerges as a beacon of innovational production, cultural fusion, design, style, and visuals. Born in Chile and based in Ireland, she embodies a rich tapestry of influences that seamlessly blend her Latin roots with electronic, experimental, pop, and alternative sounds. But beyond genres, she describes her sound as “a mixture of something fizzy and something sweet.”
“It’s like popping candy chocolate. It feels like walking through the clouds with your friends, trying to see what’s going on. But you’re so far up you can’t really reach anything else. You’re overlooking everything.”
She continues, “I take inspiration from so many people and so many different things. I started playing music when I was three. When I was eight, I started going to a conservatory. I studied really strict classical music for a really long time, until I was 17. I did seven grades on piano and learned about harmony, theory, music history, and random bits and bobs. Then I decided to be a producer afterwards. I started producing when I was 17.”
Her recent performances at ‘OUCH‘ at The Complex and her slot at ‘The Next Big Thing’ festival gave us a taste of her digital-pop sound, and left us hungry for more. Her five singles, while unique in their own right, are consistent in their kinetic and glitchy hyper-pop sound. But before all of her performances and releases, there was a time when Vaticanjail wasn’t sure continuing music was even possible.
“Fun fact: I got into production a little bit before college because I couldn’t leave my room. I got hit by a car when I was 16, right before my Leaving Cert. I had internal bleeding and didn’t leave my house for two months, so I started playing piano constantly and began making songs.”
“One of the main reasons I create music is because – if I didn’t, then I wouldn’t be honouring the possibility that somebody else has. There are so many people who are creative but don’t have the opportunities that I do. When I went home to Chile recently, I realised just how many people want to do music. That confirmed it for me. If I can help make something happen for them, or any women or girls trying to get into music, I want to show them that it’s ok, that we can start somewhere too.
Vaticanjail’s creative drive isn’t slowing down anytime soon. She is currently working on her debut EP, due to be released this year. She also intends to tour, play festivals, and eventually drop a full album. On her dream tour, she’d visit the cities where her Spotify listeners are most active – Brooklyn, New York, LA, Seattle and Chicago. But above all, her ultimate goal is to create a bridge between human emotion, life experiences and artistic expression. In the future, she intends to understand others on a deeper level, create more fusions, and have fun while making music.
Projective
Some artists make music. Projective creates experiences. This symphony of six distinct musicians coming together, is reminiscent of acts like Sault, FLO, and Robert Glasper. Known for their hybrid of Irish neo-soul, jazz, and hip-hop, the collective has made a glowing entrance onto the music sphere with their two releases, ‘Running‘ and ‘Pocket.’ They have fine-tuned their live sound to a tee, showcasing their dreamy vocal harmonies, trumpet, guitar, synths, bass, and an intimate yet uplifting sonic atmostphere.
“We’re six really unique people with different tastes. Somehow, when that comes together, it makes a cohesive sound. I don’t know how, but it just does. It really has that Projective stamp. I’d describe it as neo-soul, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, pop, a bit of everything. Being here at The Future of Irish Music [cover-shoot], with people on a similar path, is encouraging. Sometimes, you get lost in your own sauce, but I think environment is really important. The inspiration is renewed, the passion and the drive are encouraged.”
This drive is palpable in their live performances. Having only started releasing music in 2024, Projective has already sold out the Cork Opera House’s Green Room and graced stages at the Cork Jazz Festival and The Chamomile Garden in Dublin. Their consistent support slot roster includes opening for the likes of Monjola and Aby Coulibaly. The dynamism of their live gigs seems to bleed into their approach to creativity too.
“Creating music doesn’t really feel like an option – but in a good way. It’s inherently who we are. I was at a talk a few weeks ago about the artistic burden; you don’t know why you’re doing it, but you just do because it’s who you are. And you have to keep trusting that. With every musician and artist, evolving and growing and finding where you sit creatively is always a path you have to take. I’m excited to find our pocket—go stream our song ‘Pocket‘ by the way. Creating is a journey. It’s all about getting what’s in the inside – out.”
On May 15th, Projective will be getting what’s on the inside out at their gig at The Cooler. Since the day they created a WhatsApp group called ‘project’ (which later defined their band name), Projective have proven themselves destined for greatness – not just because they sound incredible, but because they know who they are, where they’re going, and how they fit into something bigger.
“I think the future of Irish music is [Irish artists] being recognised on an international level. We’ve been seeing that happen the last few years and I think that’s just going to keep growing. We won’t just be known in Ireland, or featured on a UK and Ireland Spotify playlist, but we’ll be recognised across the world. The scene in Ireland is really kicking off right now, and to see that we are a part of that is amazing.
Youngiz
Youngiz doesn’t rap. He testifies. His storytelling and delivery is brimming with confidence, charisma, and feel-good energy. Drawing inspiration from the Gliders collective, Jordan Adetunji, and even some of his old football teammates, Youngiz never set out to become a rapper, it just sort of happened.
“My sound is deep. It can be fun: vibrant. There are so many words to describe it but, all in all, you’re going to have a good time.
When I started making music, I never actually thought I could release something into the world. I was playing football, and someone from my team posted a video of themselves rapping in the studio. I was like oh wait, he can do it? This must be fun.
School wasn’t going anywhere for me, football wasn’t going anywhere, so I was like something’s gotta give, let me just try this. I remember before I got into the sound engineer’s house, he stopped me outside his house and was like, ‘Let me hear something.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll rap in the studio.’ But he was like, ‘No, I need to hear you rap right now so I know I’m not wasting my time.’ Luckily I had pre-written something and I rapped it – with a very shakey voice.”
Since that day, Youngiz has come a long way. He is no stranger to viral success, with hits like ‘Outside’, and ‘WAR IN THE CLUB’ helping to cement him as one of Ireland’s most exciting new rap voices. His collaboration list is extensive having worked with various artists from Ireland and beyond, including Celine, D24 Smilez, Keemz, and more. His recent Balamii Cypher alongside Travy, Elzzz, Keanu The Pilot and others proves he’s not just a part of the next generation of Irish rappers, he’s standing up to the mic and beginning to take the lead. But beyond the studio, Youngiz thrives in front of a crowd.
“To be able to rap some words that are deep to you, and have people actually singing those lyrics back to you with the same passion you put in to it, that’s a different feeling.”
With a new project on the horizon, there’s no doubt Youngiz will keep experiencing those audience moments again and again. Ambitious doesn’t even begin to cover it – he believes you sometimes have to be “delusional” to make it, but seeing other Irish artists rise makes him believe there are no limits.
“Seeing Jordan Adetunji’s come up mades me realise, ok, this is achievable on the wider scale. You can really make it to the top. I think 2025 is the year for Irish acts. It’s just going to keep rising.”
Brawni
Brawni’s creative innovation with hardware technologies proves that he’s not here to follow trends – he sets them. A driving force of hardware performances in Ireland, it’s evident that his inspiration is drawn from underground electronic scenes across the globe. Brawni’s approach to live performance is improvisational, free-spirited, and mostly focused on an active engagement with his synths, drum machines, and sequencers.
“My sound is influenced by how underground music is right now, in my opinion. It’s such an amalgamation of sounds from scenes all over the world. I think we’re in an interesting time – everyone has these portals in their pockets and can hear music from everywhere, different sounds from different places are just melding in to each other. I want to be somewhere in that soup but taking ingredients from different places.”
“Playing music felt like a natural thing. The biggest reason I got into electronic music was because I was never that good at playing instruments live. Once I realised I could make music on a computer, that wasn’t a worry anymore, I got into it. I started producing in my kitchen on my home computer. I used to throw on headphones and zone out my whole family for a couple of hours on FL Studio. Eventually I got my own computer, moved to my own room, and started producing from there. I remember I didn’t tell any of my school friends that I actually made music because I was too embarrassed to show it.”
There’s no more hiding the fact that Brawni has a skillset that needs to be shared with the world. Having run techno nights in Limerick for over five years, Brawni felt the need to bring that energy to the stage. This inspired the birth of Hardware – a concept club night influenced by the tools used to make electronic music. In Hardware’s first Dublin gig, there were also visual art exhibitions to go along with the improvisation and hardware instruments. This featured works from Aisling Phelan, Aoife Ní Dhuinn, Mollie Mia Murphy & Serena Devereux with the theme of “Synthetic Artefacts”. The music interactive, feeding off the energy between performers and audience. Hardware nights have become a spiritual experience, expressing the artists’ need for creation and interaction.
“If I don’t make music for too long, I think I just get sad or something. I feel disconnected from myself. I believe there’s this creative force that we should all be making use of. When you’re making music, you’re more connected to that. And of course, it’s just a lot of fun. It can be frustrating trying to finish a song – that part I hate. That’s why Hardware suits me, because you’re improvising stuff. I think I do it because it fascinates me. I do it to have creative outlet.”
Aside from his Future of Irish Music showcase, Brawni has a packed month of performances ahead. His next Hardware show takes place back where it all began in Limerick on May 24, joined by renowned international electronic musicians. This fusion of musical and visual artists proves how much artistic expression is ready to erupt in Ireland, promising a bright future not only for electronic music, but for all genres.
“The future of Irish music is hurting my eyes with how bright it is. A lot of artists are leaning into their Irishness a bit more which I like. There’s one producer called lullahush who is really leaning in to that which I really like. Even elements from trad, like Lankum and John Francis Flynn, are getting more global recognition – and I think a lot of artists are trying to be less like the rest of the world and trying to be more Irish with what they’re doing, which I think is a really great thing.”
$ONA BLU€
Don’t let the word blue distract you from the warm hue in this woman’s lush vocals. Sri Lankan-born, Dublin-based $ONA BLU€ brings a light to her music you can only understand once you’ve heard it. Her textured tracks, slow groves, and South Asian-inspired vocals often sit on a bed of atmospheric synths, a deep sub-bass, and a hard-hitting kick. Her approach to music mirrors her outlook on life – constantly growing, always evolving. Even if people don’t accept your art or who you are, that’s ok too.
“My music is like the sun meeting the water. If you ever have a good sunset in mind, that’s what it feels like.”
“I want to find a group of people who can relate to what I’m saying, or can understand my life, who are dedicated to listening to my music, and want to grow with me. I feel like we’re always changing. If people don’t accept you, that’s also valid. But I hope to keep finding people who accept me for being me.”
Finding that self-assurance to finally release for the first time has been a journey. $ONA was searching for her sound and style as an artist from a very young age.
“I didn’t think it was possible to release a song for so long. But I’ve always wanted to. My mum’s friends used to tell her that when she wasn’t home, I’d be walking around the living room in big boots, singing and dancing my heart out. Mum would say, ‘You know all the neighbours can hear you singing and screaming, right?’ I also used to leave voice notes of me singing lullabies on my dad’s Blackberry, because that’s all I knew back then. My Dad would be like… ‘What’s this?’ After that, I got involved in singing competitions in school, and joined choirs. When I came to Ireland [from Sri Lanka], I found my people. Part of being me is to create music. It comes naturally to me to express myself. I’ve had piles of of notebooks I’ve just written lyrics in. To be me is to create. It’s pushing me.”
A queen of collaborations, $ONA BLU€ is constantly evolving her sound. She’s found a crew of other creatives like GNS, The Kyd G, DuckyProd, and more, feeding off each other’s energy in studio sessions. For her, artistic expression is tied to manifestation, visualisation, and emotional openness. And she sees the Irish music scene heading in a very vibrant direction.
“The future of Irish music looks very beautiful to me. Ever-expanding, colourful, vibrant, recognised, and monumental. I look at Dublin since I started creating music here – it’s now what people would imagine Atlanta, or New York were in the 2000s when music was popping up there. Like rap in Atlanta and the R&B scene. That’s Dublin right now. It’s expanding and you can feel a shift. There will be a lot of more positive change. Keep imagining what you want to do in your head. The more you imagine it, you already know it’s possible in your head. If you imagine it, you’re already doing it. Just keep going. The circumstances may not fall in to your lap straight away. But be brave, and find your people.”
Keanu The Pilot
Fusing US Drill, Hip-Hop, and Nigerian Highlife, Keanu the Pilot has a unique sound that feels years ahead of his experience – yet he has only been releasing music since 2022. Growing up on a mix of 50 Cent and Eminem, Keanu pulls inspiration from all around him.
“When I was growing up, we didn’t really have many Nigerian or even Black artists representing Ireland. It’s dope knowing that we’re leading the way for the next generation. I listen to so much music. As a rapper, I actually barely listen to any rap. So it’s cool being here today with such a variety of artists, because you can get inspiration from so many things.”
Keanu credits family and his older brother for giving him the push to keep going with music. “I was born in the 2000s, so I grew up in an era where lyric videos were on in my house 24/7 on YouTube. I listened to a lot of 50 Cent, Eminem… I’d rewrite their lyrics to make my own. When I was 9 or 10 I was big on rap battles. My older brother and I used to go to our cousin’s house in Celbridge, and we’d write rap disses in the car. My brother would always cook me. He would smoke me – it got to me a little bit. I developed pettiness but for the better. Rap is a spectator sport. When you step, you need to step correct. That drove me to write my own stuff. I’ve been blessed to have people around me that actually see the hunger I have for it, and they push me towards doing it.”
Like Youngiz, Keanu made the flight over the Irish Sea to perform with Travy, Elzzz and more for their Balamii Cypher, proving that the Renaissance of Irish drill, hip-hop, and rap is truly alive and well. But music is just one part of Keanu’c creativity. He’s also a founder of the clothing line BIEN THERE DONE THAT clothing line (est. 2021), as well as pursuing painting as part of his art practice. He has an instagram dedicated to his visual art called MiLe Hi productions. He feels that his creative streak will always flow out of him no matter what.
“I love making art. Before I even made music, I made art. I was always drawing, I started scribbling PlayStation 2 covers when I was 4 or 5. I developed a love for cartoonists and comics. I’ve always had a foot in art as a means to express myself. If I wasn’t doing art, I don’t know what I would be doing. Art is always where my heart has been. I was a very imaginative kid. Once, my Dad took my toys away from me and I made blue tack men. My Dad was like, ‘There is no way around this kid, he’s always going to find something to play with.'”
What’s Next:
Over April and May, we’re celebrating the Future of Irish Music with Hennessy through a series of panel discussions as well as our showcase gigs. The FOIM panel discussions will bring together voices from every corner of the Irish music industry – from artists and managers to videographers and creatives – to explore topics such as navigating the music business, building one’s identity as an artist, and the power of social media. To top it all off, the FOIM class of 2025 will take the stage for two nights of live performances in the heart of Dublin. Keep an eye out and follow us across our socials for line-up announcements, event details, and more.
Please drink Hennessy responsibly.
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We’ve teamed up with Hennessy to celebrate the acts pushing the needle in Ireland on their own terms. Over April and May, we’re celebrating the Future of Irish Music through a series of panel discussions as well as our showcase gigs. The FOIM panel discussions will bring together voices from every corner of the Irish music industry – from artists and managers to videographers and creatives. Later this month, the FOIM class of 2025 will take the stage for two nights of live performances in the heart of Dublin. Keep an eye out and follow us across our socials for line-up announcements, event details, and more.
