Demolitions, viruses, cowboys: 10 talking points from Irish music in 2021

It's been another difficult year for the music world, but amidst all the false starts and negativity, the likes of CMAT, Tolu Makay and David Balfe have emerged as stars in the making 

For Those I Love [David Balfe], Nancy Spains, and CMAT.

1. We all wanna be cowboys, baby!

Ever-rising popstar CMAT, who supported Declan McKenna on a UK tour in the autumn and plays the hot-for-2022 festival Eurosonic in January, has released a slew of great songs over 2021, the highlight being ‘No More Virgos’ (better than anything on ABBA’s comeback album?). Her first single, last year’s ‘I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!’, was one of the hits of lockdown and had us all pining for a Stetson and a linedance.