With so many names performing, Fionn Dixon asks, who are the ones to watch at Whelan’s Ones to Watch?
Whelan’s pub on Wexford Street in Dublin City has long been an institution that is built around live music. Some of the most influential and popular artists have performed at the venue, including Jeff Buckley, who took the main stage in 1994 following the release of his album, Grace. While major players in the music industry have played at this legendary location, it has long been a venue that highlights the upcoming talent from the isle of Ireland, thanks to their yearly event Whelan’s Ones to Watch.
In recent years, some of the most esteemed talent from this country have played the event, such as the now world-famous Fontaines D.C. in 2017, and the recently emerged band Florence Road in both 2024 and 2025. The latter has opened for the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, The Last Dinner Party, and Wallows, highlighting the talent Whelan’s has showcased in the past. With this in mind, and with the recent surpassing of the 2026 lineup of the days-long event, which of the Whelan’s Ones to Watch performers of 2026 are truly the ones to keep a keen eye on?
Dublin’s own five-piece band, Avenue 68, is certainly one act to look out for in the future. Having performed at Irish festivals Forbidden Fruit and All Together Now in 2025, they are a proven talent that is currently streamlining their way to the top of the Irish music scene. In November just past, they opened for Jay Crookes on the opening night of her European Juniper Tour, showing the trust bigger artists have in their abilities. Their most recent release, “Not That Kinda Girl”, is a unique and fresh sound that all should add to their rotation, and with no official first album release, it is clear that there is much on the horizon for the group.
While major players in the music industry have played at this legendary location, it has long been a venue that highlights the upcoming talent from the isle of Ireland, thanks to their yearly event, Whelan’s Ones to Watch.
The artist Becca Colley played opening night at the event, and is not a new face to the venue, as she has played several events and solo gigs at Whelan’s. Due to a promotional event with Three Ireland and artist Alessi Rose, the solo artist was hand-selected to open for Rose this past November in the famous 3Olympia venue in Dublin. While no music has been released to the public on platforms such as Spotify, having seen her live, I can attest that her music is raw, powerful, and deeply ingrained in emotion.
The five-piece, “folk-rock/midwest-emo” band Arabú also highlighted the showcase on the event's second night. The band's debut album was released in August of last year, which provoked a five-stop tour around the country. The astounding fifteen-piece album is a true craft of music, with two lead vocalists, the act finds a good way of balancing out their respective talents as a collective. Having played at previous Dublin venues, such as The Workman's Club, the Whelan’s stage was the next stop on their, hopefully, bright future.
The skilful and self-proclaimed “pigeon fanatic”, via her Instagram, KK Lewis is the next act to keep tabs on, as her first release since 2021, “Pigeon Man”, recently graced the ears of listeners this past November. Her sound is mellow and melancholy in nature, which is only emphasised by the lyricism and vocal talent this solo artist possesses. Having recently gone viral on social media, with a video amassing a total of 250 thousand views on TikTok on Instagram, it is clear to say she is in the public eye, and hopefully remains there as she releases new music.
For Nina is the last act on this list to keep your ears open for in the coming times, with the three-piece band having performed on the penultimate night of the event. Releasing three singles last year that highlight the group's giftedness in music, it is imminent that they will rise as one of the largest new names in Irish music. With songs such as “Swallow” and “Hounds” being expertly crafted pieces of music, it is clear why they were chosen to play at such a coveted event.
Whelan’s Ones to Watch has long been an avenue for Irish stars to reach new heights in such a plentiful industry, and has gifted audiences with performances of true, unprecedented musical talent for many years. While all of the artists that performed this year's edition, with over ninety acts this year alone, it is these five that I believe will rise to the top of the Irish music scene in years to come, and possibly beyond.