2024 marked a year to remember for Northern Irish musicians, from Kneecap’s wildly successful semi-biopic film, to Snow Patrol’s recently released album being their most triumphant in years.
As 2025 approaches, The Irish News have picked out a handful of musicians who you should keep an eye on.
Joshua Burnside
Lisburn born folk singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside is one of the most exciting artists to come out of Northern Ireland in years. Known for his lyrical prowess, the 35-year-old will release his fifth album ‘Teeth of Time’ in February, followed by a headline Ulster Hall show in April.
His recently released singles ‘Marching Round The Ladies’ and ‘Ghost of the Bloomfield Road’ shows an artist in fine form, and if the upcoming album matches the talent shown so far it could prove to be his best yet.
Kneecap
If 2024 marked the year that shot Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap into fame, 2025 could be the year that makes them global.
With a victory lap show at Belfast’s SSE Arena quickly approaching, the band are closing out their year the way they started it - by making headlines. At the premiere of their biopic movie, Kneecap told The Irish News they were already well underway in the follow-up to their debut album. Fans will be hoping an official announcement to be made in the coming year.
JC Stewart
Magherafelt born songwriter JC Stewart may have songwriting credits with Niall Horan and Lewis Capaldi but it’s his own talent that stands on its two feet.
His name may go under the radar at times despite having millions of streams on singles such as the immensely popular ‘I Need You To Hate Me’. The recently released single ‘BT45’ looks back at the nostalgia of his youth growing up in a small town, and it’s likely an album announcement could be following it soon.
Esmeralda Road
‘Indie-fusion’ band Esmeralda Road picked up the 2024 BBC’s ATL Artist of the Year award, and for good reason. They may be the youngest artists on the list but their five released singles show a band mature beyond their age.
Growing increasingly popular online and quickly gathering thousands of streams on Spotify, it seems like the band could take off at any given minute.
Dea Matrona
Led Zeppelin inspired duo Dea Matrona released their debut album in 2024 ‘For Your Sins’ to a stream of success, marking a dramatic change from their years of busking on the streets of Belfast city centre as teenagers.
With sold-out shows at Limelight and support slots with the likes of Shania Twain, the duo will be hoping to take their newfound experience into 2025 with more success to come.
