The District Music Podcast

By District Music

From breakthrough artists to iconic music moments, The District Music Podcast dives into the people, sounds and stories driving music culture in Ireland and beyond. Hosted by District Magazine's head ... more

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FAQs about The District Music Podcast:

How many episodes does The District Music Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 11 episodes available.

The District Music Podcast episodes:

August 20, 2026 Happy Birthday Phil Lynott: A Chat With Thin Lizzy’s Visual Artist Jim Fitzpatrick
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.
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54min
August 13, 2026 Away With The Fairies: The Irish Folklore Behind Fairy Music
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.
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1h 10min
August 06, 2026 Live From All Together Now
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?
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45min
July 30, 2026 Your Music Guide To All Together Now 2026
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.

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1h 12min
July 23, 2026 Sinéad O'Connor: Ireland's Most Misunderstood Icon
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.'
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1h 6min
July 16, 2026 What Makes a Great Live Performer? & How Live Gigs Have Changed?
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.
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1h 1min
July 09, 2026 What Makes A Great Album? & Best Albums of 2026 So Far
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.
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59min
July 02, 2026 The Irish Traditional Music Revival: Why Is Everyone Playing Trad Again?
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.
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54min
June 25, 2026 Vinyl to Virality, Radio to AI: What Shapes Music Now?
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.
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51min
June 18, 2026 Festival Fever
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.
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47min

FAQs about The District Music Podcast:

How many episodes does The District Music Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 11 episodes available.