Irish Rock Music: 5 Bands You Need to Know

From The Cranberries to U2, Irish rock music has made a big impact on the international music scene. Here are 5 Irish rock bands you need to know.

The Cranberries
Formed in Limerick in 1989, The Cranberries rose to international fame with their 1993 debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? The album spawned the hit singles “Linger” and “Dreams,” and catapulted the band to stardom. The Cranberries went on to release five more studio albums, the most recent of which, Roses, was released in 2012.

U2
One of the most successful bands of all time, U2 was formed in Dublin in 1976. The band’s iconic sound is a mix of post-punk and pop, with influences from rock, folk, and gospel music. U2 has released 13 studio albums, the most recent of which is Songs of Innocence (2014). The band has won 22 Grammy Awards and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Snow Patrol
Formed in Dundee, Scotland in 1994 (though they’re now based in Belfast), Snow Patrol is best known for their 2006 single “Chasing Cars.” The band’s sound is a mix of indie rock and pop, with influences from folk and electronic music. Snow Patrol has released seven studio albums, the most recent of which is Wildness (2018).

Def Leppard
Formed in Sheffield, England in 1977 (though they’re now based in Dublin), Def Leppard is one of the world’s best-selling rock bands of all time. The band’s trademark sound is a mix of hard rock and heavy metal, with elements of pop and glam rock thrown in for good measure. Def Leppard has released 11 studio albums, the most recent of which is Slang (1996). The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

Thin Lizzy
Formed in Dublin in 1969, Thin Lizzy was one of Ireland’s first internationally successful rock bands. The band’s sound was a mix of hard rock and heavy metal, with influences from blues and folk music. Thin Lizzy released 13 studio albums between 1971 and 1983, the most recent of which is Thunder and Lightning (1983). The band disbanded following the death of lead singer Phil Lynott in 1986.

The history of Irish rock music

Irish rock music has been around for decades, and some of the most famous bands in the world have roots in Ireland. From early pioneers like Thin Lizzy to modern-day sensations like U2, Irish rock bands have made a lasting impact on music fans all over the globe.

Here are five Irish rock bands that you need to know:

1. Thin Lizzy – One of the earliest and most influential Irish rock bands, Thin Lizzy formed in 1969 and quickly rose to prominence with their hard-hitting brand of rock music. hits like “The Boys Are Back in Town” and “Whiskey in the Jar” made them global superstars, and their impact is still felt today by many modern-day rock bands.

2. U2 – One of the biggest bands in the world, U2 formed in 1976 and quickly became one of the leading lights of the Irish rock scene. With iconic albums like “The Joshua Tree” and “Achtung Baby,” they took their unique brand of rock music to new heights and became one of the most successful bands in history.

3. The Pogues – One of the most well-known Irish rock bands, The Pogues formed in 1982 and blended traditional Irish folk music with punk rock energy. They had a huge impact on both the music and fashion world with their unique style, and hits like “Fairytale of New York” are still hugely popular today.

4. Ash – Formed in 1989, Ash were one of the leading lights of the so-called “new wave” of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) movement. With catchy tunes and a strong sense of melody, they found success both in Ireland and abroad before going on hiatus in 2006. They recently reunited for a series of sold-out shows across Europe.

5. Kodaline – One of the biggest current Irish rock bands, Kodaline formed in 2012 and quickly rose to prominence with their anthemic brand of alternative pop/rock music. Their debut album “In a Perfect World” was a huge success, spawning hits like “High Hopes” and “All I Want,” and they continue to go from strength to strength with each release.

The top 5 Irish rock bands of all time

Rock music has been popular in Ireland since the late 1960s, when bands like Rory Gallagher and Thin Lizzy began to find an audience. In the decades since, Irish rock has continued to evolve and influence the sound of popular music around the world.

Here are five Irish rock bands that you need to know:

1. U2
Formed in 1976, U2 is one of the world’s most successful and influential rock bands. The band’s members are Bono (vocals, guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards), Adam Clayton (bass), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums).

U2’s style of music has ranged from post-punk to alternative rock, but their most well-known sound is probably their arena rock anthems. Songs like “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” and “One” are among the band’s most iconic hits.

2. Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy was formed in Dublin in 1969 by Phil Lynott (vocals, bass) and Brian Downey (drums). The band was known for their hard-rocking style as well as for Lynott’s distinctive lead vocal style and songwriting abilities.

Thin Lizzy had a number of hit songs in the 1970s including “The Boys Are Back in Town,” “Jailbreak,” and “Whiskey in the Jar.” The band continued to tour and release new albums throughout the 1980s before disbanding in 1986.

3. Van Morrison
Van Morrison is a singer-songwriter who first rose to prominence as the lead singer of The Them in 1964. The band had a number of hits including “Gloria” and “Mystic Eyes.” Morrison began his solo career in 1967 and has released dozens of albums over the years. He is widely considered one of the greatest musicians of his generation.

4. Rory Gallagher
Rory Gallagher was an Irish blues-rock guitarist who first rose to prominence in the late 1960s as a member of Taste. He began his solo career in 1971 and released a number of highly acclaimed albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s before his untimely death from liver failure in 1995. Gallagher was a highly influential musician who influenced countless other guitarists with his unique playing style. His best-known songs include “Bad Penny Blues,” “Bullfrog Blues,” and “Laundromat.”

The 5 best Irish rock songs of all time

In a country as small as Ireland, it’s no wonder that many of the world’s biggest rock bands have come from there. From U2 to Thin Lizzy, these are the 5 best Irish rock songs of all time.

1. “U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday”
2. “Thin Lizzy – The Boys Are Back in Town”
3. “The Cranberries – Zombie”
4. “Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars”
5. “Aslan – This Is”

The 5 most influential Irish rock bands of all time

With a rich history dating back to the 1950s, Irish rock has had a profound impact on the development of popular music worldwide. From early pioneers like Van Morrison and Rory Gallagher to more recent acts like U2 and Snow Patrol, Ireland has produced some of rock’s most celebrated bands.

Here are 5 of the most influential Irish rock bands of all time:

1. The Beatles
2. Led Zeppelin
3. The Rolling Stones
4. Pink Floyd
5. U2

The 5 best Irish rock albums of all time

Irish rock music has been gaining international attention in recent years, thanks to the success of bands like U2, The Script, and Kodaline. If you’re looking for more great Irish rock music to add to your collection, here are five albums you need to know about.

1. ‘The Joshua Tree’ by U2

Released in 1987, ‘The Joshua Tree’ is widely considered to be one of the best rock albums of all time. The album features some of U2’s most iconic songs, including ‘With or Without You’, ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’, and ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’.

2. ‘Boy’ by The Cranberries

The Cranberries’ debut album, ‘Boy’, was released in 1992 and immediately established the band as one of the most exciting new acts in Irish rock music. The album includes the singles ‘Linger’ and ‘Dreams’, which both went on to become international hits.

3. ‘No Line on the Horizon’ by U2

U2 returned to form with their 2009 album, ‘No Line on the Horizon’. The album features some of the band’s best-ever songs, including ‘Get On Your Boots’, ‘Magnificent’, and ‘I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight’.

4. ‘Science & Faith’ by The Script

The Script’s second album, ‘Science & Faith’, was released in 2010 and cemented the band’s reputation as one of Ireland’s best rock bands. The album includes the singles ‘For the First Time’, ‘Nothing’, and ‘If You Could See Me Now’.

5. ”In a Perfect World” by Kodaline

Kodaline’s debut album, ”In a Perfect World”, was released in 2013 and became an instant classic. The album includes the singles ”High Hopes”, ”All I Want”, and ”Brand New Day”.

The 5 best Irish rock concerts of all time

Rock music has always been popular in Ireland, and there have been some iconic bands and concerts over the years. Here are 5 of the best Irish rock concerts of all time.

1. U2 at Red Rocks, Colorado – June 5, 1983

U2’s first ever live show in the United States was at Red Rocks, and it is still considered one of the best rock concerts of all time. The band was on fire that night, and the energy from the crowd was electric. It was a truly unforgettable experience.

2. Thin Lizzy at Belfast’s Ulster Hall – March 17, 1974

This concert is legendary in Ireland for two reasons – it was the first ever rock concert at Belfast’s Ulster Hall, and it was also Thin Lizzy’s first ever show with their new drummer, Phil Lynott. The band played an amazing set, and the crowd went wild. It was a historic night for Irish rock music.

3. Pogues at Brixton Academy, London – December 31, 1987

The Pogues were one of the most popular bands in Ireland in the 1980s, and their New Year’s Eve show at Brixton Academy was a true spectacle. The band played a raucous set of traditional Irish folk songs mixed with their own unique brand of punk rock, and the crowd went absolutely crazy. It was a truly unforgettable concert experience.

4. Oasis at Slane Castle – August 23, 2002

Oasis are one of the biggest bands in the world, and their concert at Slane Castle in 2002 was a truly special event. The band played an incredible set to a packed crowd of over 80,000 people, and it is still considered one of the best rock concerts in Ireland history. If you were lucky enough to be there, you will never forget it.

The 5 most important moments in Irish rock history

Irish rock music has always had a special place in the heart of music lovers around the world. From the early days of Van Morrison and Thin Lizzy, to the more recent successes of U2 and The Cranberries, Irish bands have been constantly innovating and creating some of the most iconic rock music of all time.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here are 5 of the most important moments in Irish rock history:

1. The formation of Van Morrison’s band Them in 1964. Them were one of the first Irish bands to find success in the UK, with their hit single “Gloria” becoming an anthem for the mods and skinheads of the day.

2. Thin Lizzy’s release of “Whiskey in the Jar” in 1972. This traditional Irish ballad was given a hard rock makeover by Thin Lizzy, and went on to become one of their most popular songs.

3. U2’s performance at Live Aid in 1985. U2’s stirring set at Live Aid helped to cement their status as one of the biggest rock bands in the world, and their performance of “Bad” is still considered one of the greatest live performances ever captured on film.

4. The Cranberries’ release of “Zombie” in 1994. This song was written in response to the IRA bomb attacks in Warrington, England, and became an instant classic with its mix of anger and sorrow.

5. Snow Patrol’s release of “Chasing Cars” in 2006. This sentimental ballad became an international smash hit, spending four weeks at number one in the UK charts and becoming one of the most-played songs on radio stations around the world.

The 5 biggest Irish rock controversies of all time

1. U2 vs. the critics

Since their earliest days as a band, U2 have polarized critics. Some argue that their grandiose, anthemic sound is overblown and pretentious, while others find it exhilarating and moving. Some of their most ardent detractors even contend that they are not a “real” rock band at all.

2. Sinead O’Connor vs. the Pope

In 1992, Sinead O’Connor made headlines when she ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live while protesting the Catholic Church’s treatment of child sexual abuse victims. The incident led to a massive backlash against O’Connor and she was effectively blacklisted by the mainstream media.

3. The Cranberries vs. the IRA

The Cranberries came under fire in 1994 when they released the song “Zombie”, which was seen as a criticism of the violence perpetrated by the Irish Republican Army. The band received death threats and had to cancel several shows due to security concerns.

4. Thin Lizzy vs. racists

Legendary Irish rockers Thin Lizzy were no strangers to controversy, but they really ruffled feathers with their 1976 song “The Boys Are Back in Town”, which many saw as an endorsement of racist skinhead culture. The band always maintained that the song was simply about working-class solidarity, but the damage was done and they were accused of normalizing racism for years afterwards.

5. Snow Patrol vs. ageism?

In 2006, Snow Patrol came under fire from some fans after guitarist Nathan Connolly made a joking remark about wanting to “kill old people” during a radio interview. Connolly later apologized for the remark, but it led to some fans accusing the band of ageism and bigotry.

The 5 most interesting facts about Irish rock music

Irish rock music has been around for decades, and there are many great bands worth checking out. Here are five of the most interesting facts about Irish rock music:

1. One of the first Irish rock bands was formed in 1963 by Rory Gallagher. The band, known as Taste, was very popular in the UK and Ireland and even toured with Jimi Hendrix.

2. Another early Irish rock band was Thin Lizzy, formed in 1969. The band is best known for their hit song “Whiskey in the Jar.”

3. In the 1970s, a number of Irish punk and new wave bands emerged, including The Undertones, The Boomtown Rats, and Elvis Costello & The Attractions.

4. In the 1980s, U2 became one of the most successful Irish rock bands of all time. They have released 12 studio albums and won 22 Grammy Awards.

5. More recent Irish rock bands worth checking out include Snow Patrol, Ash, and Muse.

Irish Rock Music: 5 Bands You Need to Know