Max HeyraudLast week, we asked our readers, who their breakthrough artists who’ve defined the past 12 months in Irish dance music. The response was overwhelming, a clear testament to the current state of Irish dance music.
The comments poured in, showcasing a diverse range of talent across genres and styles. With so many names to celebrate, we couldn’t fit all of them. But here are seven artists who had a significant impact, as chosen by you.
Kjinn
Dublin-based Kjinn had a transformative year, whose self-released EPs spanning house, techno, UKG, and breaks have quickly earned him a reputation for genre-defying versatility. His tracks have garnered support from industry heavyweights, and recent gigs with Hidden Love and The Shed Residents have only further solidified his standing as a rising force. As his presence continues to grow, it’s clear that he’s one to watch in the coming years, with a sound that’s both forward-thinking and paying respect to genre founders.
Puzzy Wrangler
Puzzy Wrangler has gone from being relative unknowns on Dublin’s dance music scene to one of its most in-demand acts, a testament to their ecelectic, all-killer-no-filler approach. From hard house and trance to UKG, techno, and steamrolling Belgian rave, their diverse selection has been hitting dancefloors like a train. Festivals like All Together Now and Fuinneamh have welcomed them with open arms, while clubs like Index, Centre Point, and Tengu have felt the full force of duo. Puzzy Wrangler have firmly established themselves as one of the scene’s most exciting and unpredictable duos.
Tara Casey
Cork’s Tara Casey has firmly established herself as a rising force over the past 12 months. With standout shows at The Liquid Lounge, multiple appearances at Dublin’s Index, and a landmark debut at The Telegraph Building for Skin On Skin’s STAY ON SIGHT tour, she’s shifted into another gear. Recently announced for Emerge 2025, it’s clear Casey is just getting started. Her infectious brand of bouncing techno—ranging from heads-down sucker punches to groovier, housier moments—means she can slide effortlessly into any lineup, bringing a depth of knowledge and a knack for rocking any room.
Viki Dos Santos
Viki Dos Santos has had a breakout year, becoming a staple on Dublin’s club circuit with her soulful, genre-blurring sound. While her style isn’t tied to any aesthetic, house undeniably forms the backbone. Sun-soaked chords, funk-infused tribal percussion, and deep, rolling basslines have been consistent in her sets across Wigwam and Index, for parties like Research, Hidden Love, and Lost. Dos Santos’s ability to flip the switch and move from slow-chugging grooves to high-octane slammers has made her a favourite of many parties in the past year.
JWY
2024 has been a whirlwind for Foxgluv boss JWY. The Amsterdam-born DJ has held down a relentless gig schedule that’s seen her everywhere—from Beyond The Pale and Fuinneamh to All Together Now, and even hosting and playing a stage at Electric Picnic. She’s also been holding it down at Cork’s Jazz Festival, DJing at a Culture Night pop-up, and supporting heavyweights like Yung Singh and Floorplan. With her sharp ear for low-end growlers, from dubstep to garage to deep house, JWY’s been shaking bodies up and down the country all year.
Lorcan Kelly
Lorcan Kelly, Derry’s hardgroove maestro has been one of 2024’s breakout techno talents, delivering tribal-infused tracks that have earned over 300,000 streams in the past six months. Backed by the likes of Mark Broom, Future 666, and Fish56 Octagon, his sound is quickly moving beyond Derry. With gigs across Dublin, Galway, Derry, Belfast, and a forthcoming show in France, he’s picking up serious momentum. His playful, funk-laced approach to techno, bursting with samples and edits is turning a lot of heads.
Kayleigh Glynn
Kayleigh Glynn has been on a meteoric rise this year, with standout sets at Ibiza Rocks alongside Jazzy, Electric Picnic, and regular appearances at Dublin institutions like Index and The Warehouse. Rooted in Dublin’s trance-tinged, old-school euphoria, her sound seamlessly blends eras and energies, weaving the jacking with the joyous. Her sets feel like a masterclass in connecting the dots between the past and present, delivered with an effortless finesse.
Photo Credit: Bits