New Irish Artists Announced for ESNS 2025!

We are thrilled to announce the next wave of Irish artists set to perform at Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) 2025. Each year, ESNS spotlights exceptional artists from across Europe, offering them an invaluable platform to connect with new audiences, national and international industry professionals to further their careers. This year’s Irish lineup brings a dynamic mix of genres that truly represent the diversity and creativity of Ireland’s current music scene. Let us introduce to you the artists announced that will play at the festival.

Meet the Irish Artists Headed to ESNS 2025

These are the artists that have each carved their own sound and spot in the Irish music landscape and are ready to bring their sounds to the international stage:

Annie Dog – Irish indie artist Annie-Dog is making her mark with the release of her debut single, The Pressures of the Heart, and has already caught the attention of the UK indie label Dance to the Radio. Known for her whimsical style, Annie-Dog brings a fresh, introspective edge to the indie pop scene.

Anie-Dog’s journey into music was sparked by early exposure to pop royalty. Her first concert? None other than Hilary Duff, decked out in unforgettable purple leather gloves, at Dublin’s Point Theatre. Her first record purchase was Saints & Sinners by All Saints, a group she credits for soundtracking her childhood.

Right now, Annie-Dog is hooked on Hit by The Sugarcubes, a song she says "itches her brain" and pulls at her heartstrings—a love letter to Björk’s unique approach to music. She also holds Joan Armatrading’s classic line “I am not in love, but I’m open to persuasion” close to her heart, finding inspiration in its raw honesty. Annie-Dog is one of the most promising artists of 2024, so definitely keep an eye on her at ESNS 2025.

Cruel Sister - Official ESNS 2025 Poster

Cruel Sister – Irish artist Faith Nico, artistically known as Cruel Sister, is anything but your average indie rock act. Inspired by a mix of brooding ‘90s alt-rock legends like PJ Harvey and Sonic Youth, Faith’s music is a raw exploration of life, love, and the messy, beautiful emotions in between.

Her first single, My Forever, bursts with texture, mood, and a touch of nostalgia, capturing the angst of youth with a hard-edged charm. Then came Too Much, the follow-up single that takes an introspective turn, digging into the painful reality of heartbreak.

In her own words, it's the “spiritual antithesis” to My Forever, a song that’s as much about longing for relief as it is about holding onto the shared weight of sorrow. Faith, who started playing guitar at age 11 and producing at 19, prides herself on her hands-on approach. As she shares in an interview with RTÉ, “I knew I was the only one who could make the sound I wanted.”

This independence comes through in her gritty production style, with influences from Massive Attack and Portishead sneaking into her most recent projects.

Qbanaa, a Dublin-based artist, bringing a jazzy, sultry Latin-infused neo-soul sound that transports listeners to warmer, sunny shores. Influenced by a melting pot of sounds from artists like Erykah Badu, Hiatus Kaiyote, and Kali Uchis, Qbanaa effortlessly blends the different music scenes she was exposed to growing up in Ireland, her Summers visiting family in Cuba, and her time in London as an adult, where her passion for Jazz and Soul began.

Since her debut single, Truth and Desire, dropped in 2022, Qbanaa has been grabbing audiences nationally and in the UK, playing everything from intimate acoustic duos to energetic eight-piece band performances in festivals like Ireland Music Week, and All Together Now. Her latest single, Demons in the Liffey, and her upcoming EP, Elisa (set to release in 2025), are only fuelling the anticipation around her rising career.

Sophie Jamieson – Sophie doesn’t shy away from her emotions, or the discomfort of ugly truths that life sometimes brings. Sophie's Dinah, and Ode To The East combine folk, ambient, and indie influences, creating songs that are simultaneously delicate, yet powerful and heart-wrenching, certain to leave an impression on the international stage, like it has in Ireland.

On stage, Sophie delves into the darkest corners of the human spirit. Her performances have often been described as intimate and intense, earning her supports for artists Father John Misty, and Ezra Furman, among others.

Her second EP will be released in January 2025, just in time for her performance at ESNS 2025. You’re in for a treat with Sophie Jamieson at this year’s festival.

Sophie Jamieson - Official ESNS 2025 Poster

Muireann Bradley - Official ESNS 2025 Poster

Muireann Bradley – Murieann Bradley is one artist you definitely do not want to miss. Her debut album breathes new life into timeless blues classics, honoring a genre and its pioneers who shaped music history. Drawing from songs originally recorded by the great blues legends from the 1920s through the 1970s, Murieann adds her own voice and style to this deep-rooted genre, paying homage to both the original artists and the revivalists of the 1960s.

Each track on her album is a live, unaltered studio take—just Murieann, her guitar, and the raw authenticity of a single performance. Much like the records of the 1920s and 1930s, her approach avoids modern recording techniques, instead embracing the simplicity and sincerity that define classic blues.

What to Expect at ESNS 2025

These Irish artists, with their distinct styles and performances, reflect Ireland’s rich and diverse musical culture. At ESNS 2025, they’ll have the chance to connect with global audiences, industry professionals, and media representatives, opening doors to new opportunities, tours and collaborations.

Music From Ireland is proud to support these artists on their journey to ESNS and can’t wait to see how they bring their unique voices to the international stage.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to follow us on Instagram as we will capture snippets of their live performance at ESNS 2025!

Suzette DasNovember 21, 2024