Madra Salach

A shared love for the Irish folk repertoire brought the members of Madra Salach together, initially leading to spontaneous pub sessions. Inspired by the emerging experimental folk scene in Ireland, the group expanded to include new members, additional instruments, and electronic elements. This evolution gave rise to original compositions that feel both strikingly modern and timeless; a sound rooted in a tradition spanning the entire last century.

While the band members collaborate on the music, the lyrics are penned by singer Paul Banks, whose vocals possess a haunting, visceral quality. His performance style has been a key factor in the band’s rise as a festival favorite over the past year; they left the audience at Groningen’s Nieuwe Kerk, during ESNS Festival, in a state of ecstasy, and at the Best Kept Secret festival, they managed to draw a large crowd to their performance early in the day.

Their debut EP, 'It’s a Hell of an Age' (released January 26), blended original tracks with fresh interpretations of traditional material, reaching number three on the Irish charts and landing in the UK’s 'Independent Albums Top 10.' On January 15, they will release their debut album, 'Gorta', named after the Irish word for "hunger." It is an exploration of heritage: what we carry forward from the generations before us, what we leave behind, and the many forms that hunger can take. Although the album is rooted in traditional Irish music, it ventures into darker, more experimental, and contemporary territory.