The District Music Podcast

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.