Madra Salach

Anyone browsing through European festival lineups these days will keep coming across the same observation: The most exciting new bands often emerge where tradition isn’t preserved but reimagined. This is especially evident in a live setting. Whether on big stages or in small clubs, it’s often the bands you’ve never heard of before that leave the most lasting impressions. One such discovery hails from Dublin and goes by the name of Madra Salach.

In their home country, the six-piece collective has earned a reputation as a rousing live band in an astonishingly short time. For months on end, the group played concerts almost nonstop, shared the stage as the opening act for Kim Deal, and wowed audiences at festivals like Electric Picnic, Beyond The Pale, and All Together Now. Four performances at All Together Now are said to have been particularly legendary, including a set at 4 a.m. that further cemented the band’s reputation as an extraordinary live act. Now comes the next step.

With “Blue & Gold,” Madra Salach released their debut single in September 2025, capturing on record for the first time what had previously spread mainly through word of mouth. The song combines the narrative power of folk with a contemporary openness to electronic soundscapes. The result feels both familiar and fresh at the same time. The story behind “Blue & Gold” is surprisingly ordinary. In it, singer and bandleader Paul Banks looks back on a phase in his early twenties when he regularly bought scratch-off lottery tickets. The dream of getting rich quick remained unfulfilled. Instead, what remains is a song about hope, projection, and the small rituals of everyday life. The title refers to the blue-and-gold design of the scratch-off tickets Banks favored back then. From an unassuming habit, a song was born that transforms personal memories into a universal narrative.

At the same time, the song offered a first glimpse of the debut EP “It’s a Hell of an Age,” released in January 2026, with which Madra Salach further expanded their sound. Across a total of five tracks, the Irish band proves why they’re worth keeping on your musical radar.

The band’s roots run deep in Dublin’s independent scene. The members first met while working on different projects and came together through their shared enthusiasm for the rich treasure trove of Irish folk music. From spontaneous sessions in the pubs of the Northside, they gradually developed their own musical language. With additional instruments, a harmonium, and electronic elements, they’ve created a sound that tackles modern themes while also drawing on the long tradition of Irish songwriting.

Following performances at major showcase festivals such as Eurosonic and The Great Escape, interest in the band is now growing far beyond Ireland’s borders. Anyone who wants to catch Madra Salach early on will have the opportunity this year at Haldern Pop and the Reeperbahn Festival. In the fall of 2026, the band will also come to Berlin for an exclusive headline show to present their repertoire in even greater depth. For anyone who enjoys discovering bands before they fill large venues, this is a date worth marking on your calendar.