Night and Day Festival Review: 5 Rising Acts You Needed to See
By Night and Day Festival once again proved why it has become one of Ireland’s most beloved summer gatherings, delivering a weekend packed with standout performances and homegrown talent. The festival’s distinctly Irish flavour was front and centre throughout, with a crowd-pleasing lineup that spanned generations and genres. From the timeless anthems of The Boomtown Rats and the folk-rock charm of The Saw Doctors to the swaggering soul of Imelda May, the enduring energy of Hothouse Flowers, and memorable sets from Paddy Casey and Soda Blonde, the bill was a celebration of the depth and diversity of Ireland’s music scene in style.
But what really stood out — and what is fast becoming Night and Day’s defining characteristic — is its unwavering commitment to emerging talent. While the festival’s established names inevitably draw the headlines, it’s the carefully curated selection of rising artists that gives the event its real sense of discovery. Across the weekend, festivalgoers were treated to a glimpse of Ireland’s musical future, with fresh voices and fearless new sounds sharing the same stages as seasoned veterans.
SexyTadhg
SexyTadhg delivered one of the weekend’s standout performances, blowing the roof off the Luna Stage with a show bursting with confidence, charisma and infectious energy. What began as a packed tent soon morphed into a full-blown party, with festivalgoers singing and dancing their way through fan favourites such as ‘The Slag of Carlow Town’, ‘Townie Girl’ and ‘Claim My Love’, alongside a handful of well-chosen covers that only added to the sense of occasion.
On the strength of this performance alone, SexyTadhg emerges as one of the most exciting and original voices on the Irish music scene. Combining razor-sharp songwriting, theatrical flair and an exhilarating sense of fun, the set was a masterclass in how to captivate a festival crowd from start to finish.
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The Cardinals
Having caught The Cardinals live for the second time, it’s clear their appeal runs far deeper than a fleeting fascination. There’s something wonderfully dark and ragged about their sound, channelling the same spirit of romanticism and rebellion that made The Pogues such a singular force.
Drawing heavily from their latest album, the band delivered a set that was almost still like in movement yet powerful in conviction. Tracks such as ‘Anhedonia’, ‘St. Agnes’ and ‘Masquerade’ crackled with restless energy, while ‘I Like You’, ‘Barbed Wire’, Over At Last’ and the stirring closer ‘As I Breathe’ showcased the emotional depth and songwriting craft that continue to set them apart from many of their contemporaries.
If there was one disappointment, it was the modest crowd gathered before the stage. A combination of the early slot and the lure of the blistering sunshine meant far too many festivalgoers missed out on one of the weekend’s most compelling performances.
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ARLENE
Roscommon’s Arlene was one of those rare festival discoveries that leaves you wondering how they’ve managed to remain under your radar for so long. Possessing a natural stage presence and a sound that immediately has you going wow.
Her set felt fresh, vibrant and full of possibility, anchored by a voice so powerful and commanding it bordered on the hypnotic. Tracks such as ‘Infinity’, ‘Light’, ‘Resistant To Emotion’ and ‘Send Me Any Sign’ showcased both her songwriting confidence and emotional range, but it was ‘Longshot’ and ‘Somebody Else’ that truly elevated proceedings, revealing an artist capable of stopping a festival crowd in its tracks.
Judging by the strength of this performance, Arlene feels destined for much bigger stages.
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Thumper
With their reputation continuing to grow, Thumper arrived at Night and Day with plenty of buzz behind them and more than lived up to expectations. Their set was a thrilling barrage of noise, hooks and raw energy, delivered with a swagger and urgency that left little room for standing still. Drawing heavily from their latest album Sleeping with The Lights On, the performance underlined why the band have become such a compelling live force, with the colossal ‘Middle Management’ among the clear highlights.
One thing’s for sure: you know you’ve been to a gig when you’ve seen Thumper live. Uncompromising and ferocious, they leave everything on the stage and little doubt as to why they’re considered one of Ireland’s most exciting bands.
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BABYRAT
BABYRAT fall into the same category as Thumper when it comes to live performance — a full-throttle force of nature on stage. Working as a tight, unified unit, they use every inch of the space to drive their set forward, with Jamie and Zoe acting as the conductors in the chaos.
‘Roses’, ‘Talk Talk’, ‘Anybody Else’, ‘Kickstart’ and ‘Bite The Bullet’ all stood out in a set packed with intent and energy. At one point, a voice in the crowd likened the lead singer’s raw vocal edge to Debbie Harry — a comparison that would arguably cast BABYRAT’s Jamie in the role of Chris Stein.
One thing is clear: BABYRAT are on the cusp of breaking through. There’s an undeniable sense of a band building towards something much bigger, fuelled by a sound that refuses to be ignored.
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Night and Day continues to prove itself as more than just a festival of familiar names. It’s a proving ground — a place where emerging artists don’t just fill out the bill, they define it. Between the established heavyweights and the breakout performances scattered across the weekend, it’s the newer voices that linger longest once the stages go dark.