Ireland Music Week review with Brooki, Madra Salach and Makeshift Art Bar

Julia Mason (aka The Decibel Decoder) was in Dublin last week for Ireland Music Review and brings us her three top gigs from Brooki, Madra Salach and Makeshift Art Bar

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It was this reveiwer's first time attending Ireland Music Week in Dublin and it won't be the last. Along with gigs across The Button Factory, The Workman's Club, The Grand Social and WIGWAM, there were a number of fascinating panel discussions, and a chance to meet new people as well as catch up with some familiar faces. All photos credit Julia Mason.

There were 3 bands which stood out for The Decibel Decoder: Brooki, Madra Salach and Makeshift Art Bar.

Other notable highlights included:

Delivery Service - Dublin female fronted alternative rock band with attitude and charisma plus vocals to die for.

Digdeep - Self-proclaimed swamp noise, bog rock quintet brought frenetic funky music to make you dance and smile.

Fosfín - Dublin based art-rock trio playing only their second gig. Led by Brazilian Paula Moura, the trio moved from raw energy to emotional intensity with ease.

pôt-pot - Lisbon based Irish quintet make mesmerising krautrock. Released their debut album Warsaw 480km in September

THEATRE - Raw Limerick band already making waves due to supporting Gurriers on their UK tour this year. Incredibly no released music to date, which will undoubtedly be remedied in the not too distant future.

Brooki

Brooki stood apart from the other bands performing at Ireland Music Week, with grunge inspiring their sound. However that appears to underplay the four piece who simply looked like giants on stage, as happens when a band takes your breath away. The charismatic front woman was completely comfortable in her own skin. To learn they have no released music as yet is simply staggering. The four piece produced music which sat in their own space and it was utterly captivating.

It's no surprise they will be playing their first UK shows later this month supporting Keo.

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Madra Salach

With just one single released to date, the breathtaking Blue & Gold, Madra Salach have already been generating a buzz in Ireland which is set to go beyond its shores by the end of the year, with shows booked including Rotterdam's Left of the Dial, and supporting fellow folk enthusiasts Brògeal.

Whereas other bands may give a hint and a nod to folk within their contemporary sound, Madra Salach put it front and centre. The vocal of lead singer Paul Banks is staggering and the rest of the 6-piece at this performance at the Button Factory were seated, adding to his presence on this occasion. However this is a group of musicians who have come together from playing in other bands, and there is a sense the stars have aligned for them as Madra Salach. The songs were hypnotic in their power, and whereas with The Pogues you expect the drop, here that was not the case; a joy in itself.

Do believe the hype that is inevitably on its way.

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Makeshift Art Bar

Quartet Makeshift Art Bar are a band on the rise. No question. A year which began supporting fellow Belfast band Chalk in UK and Ireland brought them to the attention of a crowd who loved their sound. Continuing to play multiple festivals across the UK, there is no doubt these noise-makers are poised to have a break through 2026. They will play Rotterdam's Left of the Dial later this month.

They closed the first day of music in The Workman's Club and it was extraordinary. The wall of sound, the pulsating beats, the vocal and swagger of Joseph Sweeney, the lap steel guitar played with a screwdriver... I could go on and on. With new music included in their set alongside live favourites Birthday Party and Bedwetter, the foundations are firmly established, and there is only one direction Makeshift Art Bar are now heading.

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