St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching (March 17th),which means it’s time to start celebrating all things Irish, including Irish music bands! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best songs, in our opinion, you need to add to your playlist ASAP!
Head to your local pub this St. Patrick’s day and join in the celebration of all things Irish.
Photo by Adam Fugere on Unsplash
Four Bands You Didn’t Know Were Irish.
1. The Script
You are probably quite familiar with The Script’s music, but did you know they are Irish? Previous Mytown band members, Danny O’Donoghue and Mark Sheehan created the band with Glen Power back in Dublin, Ireland in 2001.
The band first began their rise to fame in 2008 with their hit singles ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’ and ‘Breakeven’. Since then their music has featured in some of the biggest TV shows of the decade including 90210, The Hills and The Vampire Diaries, amongst others.
In 2018, on St Patrick’s Day The Script broke world records with their sold out live performance. They purchased each of their 8,000 guests a drink, breaking the world record for the biggest round ever.
2. Westlife
Westlife are an Irish pop band who made their mark on the music industry throughout the 2000s. The band formed in 1998 in Sligo consisting of Shane Filan, Clive Davis, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Brian McFadden.
Having sold more than 45 million albums to date, Westlife is one of the most successful bands to come out of Ireland. Their first seven singles all debuted in as number one within their initial eighteen months of release. Westlife’s cover of the Billy Joel classic ‘Uptown Girl’ has been their highest selling single to date.
They disbanded in 2012 only to reunite in 2018. Although they have lost a few members, the band has plans to tour England and Ireland in mid 2020.
3. U2
The most widely known Irish band of all time U2, formed in Dublin in 1976. The Irish rock band had reached international fame by the time their second album release came around.
Band members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr can attribute much of their success to the punk rock movement of the 1970s.
Since the release of their debut album ‘Boy’ in 1980, U2 positioned themselves as a socially conscious group. Often writing music that coincided with relevant issues in society such as ‘Pride (In the Name of Love). It was the release of their fifth album ‘The Joshua Tree’ in 1987 which made them a household name across the world.
The Irish music bands 2009 tour ‘U2 360°’ set a record across the world for attendance across the world. Quickly becoming the highest grossing concert tour in history.
Widely known to their younger audience for their automatic download of their 2014 album “Song of Innocence” on Apple devices across the world. U2 continues to develop new pop rock music even today.
4. Snow Patrol
Whilst this band is technically half Scottish, we do think they are still worth adding to the list. Formed in Dundee, Scotland in 1994 by Irish college students, Gary Lightbody, Marc McCelland and Michael Morrison performed under the band name ‘Shrug’.
Now, Gray Lightbody is the sole remaining original band member. Nathan Connolly, Paul Wilson, Jonny Quinn, Tom Simpson and Johnny McDaid have joined the band over the years.
Snow patrol made their mark on the music industry in 2003 with their album Final Straw. They credit this album for their initial worldwide success. Since then they have had numerous successful albums and singles.
2020 marks the bands 26th year together.
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