Galway post punks Slyrydes release new single 'Gatekeepers'.
Galway noisy truth tellers Slyrydes lambast funding cronyism on new single Gatekeepers
Track: Gatekeepers
Band: Slyrydes
Released: October 27 2026
Further to previous release One Is Too Many, Galway's Slyrydes return with new single Gatekeepers, a coruscating takedown of the “rampant cronyism that permeates through Irish arts funding and indeed public funding in Irish society generally.”
The song jumps in with both DM'd feet as it takes on the opacity which surrounds how public money in Ireland is distributed to arts organisations:
"Art is for the middle class and those who are connected
A panel discussion for the average but respected
Music is bougie when it’s at its best
Not to be made by people from out west
I am the ghost of Galway 2020
A total disaster but I made plenty"
“It’s the truth, it’s honest,” added bassist Eoin Reilly (Fuz). “That’s what it is. That’s the art. We’re not trying to get famous. This is important. Rafto sings about important shit, and we fucking agonize over the three chords or ten chords. We really fucking care so we made a record that we all care about.”
Gatekeepers builds on the band’s July 2026 standalone release One Is Too Many with a more studio-influenced direction than the primal live feel of their early releases. The single was once again produced by their long time collaborator, and now drummer, Dan Doherty owner of Darklands Audio Studio in Dublin. Mastering comes courtesy of Pete Maher.
Now dipping their toes back into the live performance waters, the band play Whelan's in Dublin on November 10 and the Post Punk Strikes Again festival in Porto on November 29.
With plans for a busy 2027 to follow, plus new blood Doherty driving them to record and release as much new material as possible, it looks like second time could be the charm for a band who just don’t know how to quit.
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