This can sometimes be a surprise to a lot of people, but the Irish musicians topping charts globally aren't always the same ones topping the music charts at home. Don't get me wrong, Irish people love some mainstream pop as must as the rest of the world, give us a bit of Taylor Swift or Harry Styles and we're happy out... but sometimes why everyone is loving the new U2 or Ed Sheeran album we just want some Dermot Kennedy or LYRA. This goes back to what I mentioned in a previous album about the Irish and storytelling.
So, let us take a look at who takes the popular vote at home when it comes to Pop Artists Irish people love.
“I don’t see how you could get used to people screaming in your face, and anyone who says different is lying.”
— Niall Horan
1 The Coronas
The Coronas are an Irish Pop-rock band that originated in Dublin in 2003. They release their music through their independent record label, 3ú Records! They have released seven studio albums to date, their first was called Heroes or Ghosts and was so popular in Ireland that most tracks were re-released As Gaeilge (Taibhsí nó Laochra). The band's three members are Danny O'Reilly (son of Trad legend Mary Black), Graham Knox and Conor Egan.
"I remember, at around four years of age, walking into the kitchen and finding this American woman who I’d never seen before standing there. She probably expected me to say, “Who the hell are you?” but instead I went, “What time is it?” That American woman was Nanci Griffith. The phone would ring and I’d pick it up and it was Paul Brady or Christy Moore. There are a few stories like that, but when Mam was home, her and Dad made a conscious effort for it to be a very normal household. She’d go from doing three nights in the Opera House to making our lunches and doing the school runs – in her leather jacket! " - Danny O'Reilly
On 23 May 2011, the Coronas played for President of the United States of America, Barack Obama at College Green, Dublin, Ireland during his visit before he addressed the crowd. the crowd was estimated to be between 80,000 - 100,000 people.
Some songs recommendations by The Coronas to get you started on your playlist:
- San Diego Song
- Gut Feeling
- Listen Dear
- Find the Water
- Grace Don't Wait
- Real Feel
2 Westlife
Westlife is an Irish pop group formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1998. The group comprises Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne. There was originally a 5th member of this Louis Walsh lineup, his name, Brian McFadden and he broke the heart of many young Irish girls who at the time were aged 8-16 and are now aged 30-38.
"Westlife don’t have to concern themselves with being cool because Westlife were never – ever – cool."
- Barry Egan (The Irish Independent)
Yes, The ageing process can be tricky for boybands and their audience doesn’t always hang around for them, especially when you take a 6-year career break as Westlife did in 2012. However, since their reform in 2018, they have had nothing but continued success, the lads are now dads and the fans go wild for the terrible dad jokes and perfectly choreographed dad dancing. (And yes we all still have our favourite who we'll marry but can't tell our husbands)
"I think Westlife is very unique: we have a certain sound; we do our thing our way, and we don't try to change too much. I think that's what the fans love about us. We keep giving the fans what they want every year. The style of music never really changes too much."
- Shane Filan
Even though almost none of Westlife's songbook is original tracks, it doesn't matter, why? They can sing, and they make everything their own. Whether its a cover of an ABBA pop classic or Daughtry's rock hit What About Now, or other well known ballads, Westlife is the world's best cover band, and we don't care! We love them, the nostalgia, the sing-a-long we pay €120 a ticket for and the prince charming personalities! They have it all!
Some songs recommendations by Westlife to get you started on your playlist:
- Uptown Girl
- World of Our Own
- Hello My Love
- When You're Looking Like That
- Mandy
- My Love
- Queen of My Heart
- Starlight
3 The Script
The Script is an Irish pop rock band formed by childhood best friends Danny O'Donoghue and Mark Sheehan in Dublin in Dublin in 2001, their self-titled debut album, which was released in 2008, went to number one in both the UK and Ireland. Since then The Script has released six studio albums and one compilation project, Tales From The Script - Greatest Hits, which dropped in 2021.
Six of these albums peaked at number one in the UK charts while their third album, Number 3, made it to number two.
The Script have confirmed they will “keep going” as a band as it is what the late Mark Sheehan would have wanted. It's a beautiful sentiment as they have always come across as such a united bunch of lads.
"Never judge someone. Especially if you don't know them, because you don't know what they're going through. And for all you know, your words could be the last thing they hear before they decide they have had enough."
- Danny O'Donoghue
One of the things, right from the first album that Irish people love about The Script, is the absolute honesty and sometimes rawness of their lyrics. We love a good story but also a good emotional connection to our music and you get that in buckets with The Scripts lyrics.
Some songs recommendations by The Script to get you started on your playlist:
- Never Seen Anything "Quite Like You"
- Superheroes
- Man Who Can't Be Moved
- Rain
- We Cry
- Dare You to Doubt Me
I really hope you love your new playlists!
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