The District Music Podcast

What makes Irish songwriting so special? In this episode of the District Music Podcast, brought to you by An Post as part of the Making Better Happen campaign, Rachel and Dray explore the words, stories and voices behind some of Ireland’s greatest songs. From Sinéad O’Connor, Phil Lynott and Dolores O’Riordan to Christy Moore and Paul Brady, they ask what makes a songwriter truly great, after hearing from Kabin Crew about finding your voice, putting words on a page and the power songwriting can have for young people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the District Music Podcast, Rachel and Dray unpack Oasis’ return to Slane Castle and the history tying the band to Ireland’s most iconic live venue. They look at CMAT’s latest international milestone on SNL UK, before getting into the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s US tour following his pro-Palestinian statements, and what it says about politics, artists and the commercial machinery behind live music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dray chats to actor and writer Ciarán McMenamin about Skintown , his semi-autobiographical story of youth, rave culture and escape in 1990s Northern Ireland. Set in Enniskillen during the summer of the 1994 IRA ceasefire, Skintown captures a generation more concerned with music, friendship and getting to the next rave than the divisions they had inherited. They discuss the real experiences that inspired the story, the role rave culture played in breaking down sectarian barriers, and why music offered young people a rare sense of freedom at a pivotal moment in Northern Irish history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode we talk about all the latest headlines in the music zeitgeist. Dray talks about his experience at the wrestling-music hybrid event 'Clash At The Quays' as well as attending the Frost Children afterparty. This segways into a chat about the yearn for nostalgia in the modern day and the trickle down influence of the late 2000s and early 2010s. We also explore two huge lawsuits in the music world which surfaced this week: the CCPC vs Ticketmaster over Oasis at Croke Park and Athropic AI vs Sony and Warner Music over data scarping of artists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fontaines D.C. have gone from Dublin post-punk hopefuls to one of the biggest bands in the world. This week, we look back at their rise and rank our five favourite tracks of all time, from early Dogrel anthems to the reinvention of Romance . Plus, we hear your picks, give our bonus tracks, and look ahead to what comes next for the band. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Rachel and Dray catch up on Electric Picnic 2026 before getting into one of the biggest Irish gig announcements in years: Fontaines D.C. are heading to Slane. Plus, Olivia Rodrigo launched her own women-led festival, the music world pays tribute to Dolly Parton, and there’s a major update in the long-running Tupac Shakur murder case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Electric Picnic weekend is here. Rachel and Dray dive into the festival’s evolution from a 10,000-person boutique experiment to Ireland’s biggest music festival, revisit some legendary line-ups and pick the artists you need to catch at Stradbally this year. Plus, This Week in Music History and a final Track to Impress Your Mates With. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Lynott would have turned 77 today. To celebrate, Rachel and Dray look back at the life, music and legacy of the Thin Lizzy frontman before sitting down with legendary Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick to talk friendship, art and the visual world he helped create around the band. Plus, This Week in Music History. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fairies have shaped Irish folklore for centuries, but they've also left an unmistakable mark on Irish music. In this episode, Rachel Mae Hannon sits down with Luke Conroy of the Pisrógs podcast to uncover the strange relationship between traditional music and the supernatural. From haunting fairy melodies and musicians lured into the Otherworld to banshees, changelings and the legends behind Ireland's most mysterious tunes, they explore how folklore has influenced generations of artists. Together, they also discuss why these stories continue to resonate today, and what they reveal about Ireland's cultural imagination, oral tradition and enduring musical identity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live from the District Music Stage at All Together Now 2026, District music journalists Rachel Mae Hannon and Dray Morgan sit down with their colleague, District founder and editor Craig Connolly, to explore the evolution of festival culture in Ireland and beyond. Drawing on his decades of experience booking artists and shaping line-ups, Craig reflects on how festivals have changed, whether they have natural life cycles, and why Irish artists are enjoying one of their strongest moments in recent memory. And what better place to have this conversation than at a festival that continues to evolve and expand year after year? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Festival season peaks this week, so we're dedicating the whole episode to All Together Now 2026. We dive into the festival's origins, revisit iconic line-ups, spotlight the artists we're most excited to see, uncover some brilliant bits of music history and festival lore, and share the sets and songs we think deserve a spot on your schedule. Think of it as your audio survival guide before the gates open. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's District Music Podcast, Rachel and Dray mark the third anniversary of Sinéad O'Connor's death by exploring the life and legacy of one of Ireland's most influential and misunderstood artists. They discuss how she reshaped music through radical honesty, why her shaved head and refusal to conform became defining acts of self-expression, the fallout from her SNL protest, and how history has re-evaluated her activism. Alongside a look at her unforgettable voice, timeless songs and lasting influence, the episode also features This Week in Music History, a Grammy fact about Sinéad, and track recommendations including 'Troy.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The District Music Podcast, Rachel Mae Hannon and Dray Morgan explore what separates a good live act from a truly unforgettable performer. They discuss stage presence, authenticity, spectacle, crowd connection and why audiences remember feelings more than flawless performances. They also examine how concerts have evolved in the age of smartphones, TikTok, rising ticket prices. Along the way, they revisit fascinating moments from music history, share surprising music facts and recommend a selection of tracks guaranteed to impress your mates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're asking a big question: what makes a great album? We chat about everything from concept albums and cohesion to artwork, live shows and whether streaming has changed how we listen. We also share our favourite albums of 2026 so far, revisit some iconic moments in music history, and round things off with our Track Picks of the Week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trad is everywhere right now. Young people are packing sessions, folk artists are selling out venues, and Irish traditional music is finding new life through indie, hip hop, electronic music, and social media. But why now? In this episode, Rachel Mae Hannon and Dray Morgan unpack the cultural, historical, and social forces behind Ireland's trad revival, from post-pandemic community and national identity to artists redefining what Irish music sounds like in 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Rachel and Dray catch up after a busy weekend before Rachel chats to music content creator and former broadcaster Joe Donnelly. From vinyl collecting and radio to AI and music discovery, Joe shares his thoughts on how the industry has changed and where it's heading next. Plus, Rachel and Dray round off the episode with their Tracks of the Week. Listen along with our new Tracks of the Week playlist on District Music's Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh from Forbidden Fruit and Beyond The Pale, Rachel and Dray break down the best sets, biggest surprises and most talked-about moments of festival season. They also take a journey through the history of Irish festivals, tracing the path from ancient Celtic gatherings and Fleadh Cheoil to Féile, Oxegen and Electric Picnic, exploring how Irish festival culture became what it is today. Plus, dream festival lineups, new music recommendations, and your chance to win The Cranberries' complete back catalogue on vinyl. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are we starting The Distrist Music Podcast? Who are Rachel Mae Hannon and Dray Morgan? Let's get in to it. From this week on, we will be encompassing contemporary music culture in Ireland and beyond. From legendary albums and iconic music moments, to breakthrough artists, deep dives, interviews, festival chaos and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.