10 Bands and Artists That Sound Like The Dubliners
Few bands have left their mark on Irish folk music quite like The Dubliners. With their unmistakable voices, lively traditional tunes and songs about everything from love and loss to drinking and rebellion, they helped bring Irish music to audiences around the world.
Whether it's Luke Kelly's powerful singing, Ronnie Drew's gravelly voice or Barney McKenna's banjo playing, there's something about The Dubliners that never gets old. Thankfully, there's no shortage of other bands worth checking out if you're a fan.
From traditional folk groups to younger bands putting their own spin on old favourites, here are 10 bands and artists that sound like The Dubliners.
The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem
If you enjoy The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem should be near the top of your list. Known for their trademark Aran jumpers and lively performances, they helped popularise Irish folk music during the 1960s. Their versions of songs like The Wild Rover
and Brennan on the Moor
have that same singalong quality that made The Dubliners famous.
The Mary Wallopers
For something a bit more modern, The Mary Wallopers are well worth checking out. The Dundalk band have brought traditional Irish folk music to a new generation, mixing old ballads with plenty of humour and attitude. Their raw, energetic approach isn't a million miles away from The Dubliners, particularly when they're belting out a good old drinking song.
The Wolfe Tones
The Wolfe Tones are another obvious choice for anyone who loves The Dubliners. Best known for their rebel songs and Irish ballads, they've built a huge following over the decades. Songs like Celtic Symphony
and Let the People Sing
are firm favourites with fans. Like The Dubliners, they're at their best when the crowd joins in for a chorus.
The Fureys
If it's the slower, more sentimental side of The Dubliners you enjoy, The Fureys are definitely worth a listen. Their music leans heavily towards traditional ballads, with songs like When You Were Sweet Sixteen
and The Green Fields of France
becoming favourites over the years. They've a gentler approach at times, but the Irish folk roots are unmistakable throughout.
Planxty
Planxty are a great choice if you particularly enjoy the traditional musicianship behind The Dubliners. Featuring Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny and Liam O'Flynn, the group helped change the direction of Irish folk music in the 1970s. Their mix of traditional songs, jigs and reels makes for brilliant listening, especially if you appreciate a good instrumental session as well.
The Irish Rovers
The Irish Rovers share plenty in common with The Dubliners, particularly their love of lively folk songs and a bit of fun. Formed in Canada by Irish musicians, they're probably best known for The Unicorn
and Wasn't That a Party
. Their music is often lighthearted and easy to sing along with, making them a natural choice for Dubliners fans.
Dublin City Ramblers
Dublin City Ramblers are another band that fans of The Dubliners should feel right at home listening to. With a catalogue packed with Irish ballads, rebel songs and traditional favourites, they've kept the folk tradition going for decades. Songs like The Rare Ould Times
and The Ferryman
capture that familiar Dublin character, with plenty of storytelling along the way.
The High Kings
The High Kings offer a more modern take on traditional Irish folk music, while still keeping many of the old favourites alive. Their strong vocal harmonies and polished arrangements have helped introduce classic Irish songs to younger audiences. If you enjoy The Dubliners' versions of The Rocky Road to Dublin
or The Irish Rover
, you'll find plenty to like here.
The Pogues
The Pogues took Irish folk music in a completely different direction, mixing traditional instruments with the energy of punk rock. Fronted by Shane MacGowan, the band produced classics like Dirty Old Town, Sally MacLennane
and A Pair of Brown Eyes
. They're rougher around the edges than The Dubliners, but the storytelling, humour and love of Irish ballads are familiar.
The Corries
Scotland's The Corries might seem like a slightly different choice, but they've plenty to offer fans of The Dubliners. The folk duo became famous for their traditional Scottish songs, strong vocals and acoustic arrangements. Best known for Flower of Scotland
, they also recorded plenty of older folk favourites. Their straightforward style and storytelling make them well worth exploring.
Final Verdict
The Dubliners are a hard band to replace, but there's plenty of great Irish and Scottish folk music out there if you're looking for something similar. The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem and Dublin City Ramblers are probably among the closest matches, while The Fureys are a good shout for anyone who prefers the ballads.
For something with a bit more bite, The Mary Wallopers and The Pogues are definitely worth your time. And if it's the traditional playing that keeps you coming back to The Dubliners, you can't go too far wrong with Planxty.
Whichever band you start with, there's a good chance you'll come across a few familiar songs, along with plenty of new favourites.
READ MORE | 10 Essential Songs By The Dubliners
Photo Credit: Aloys Soullie / Wikimedia Commons
