Briars Roimh
Review: A Powerful Irish Indie-Folk Anthem Built on Tradition and Heart
The Rising Irish Folk Revival Continues
Since emerging in 2020 with their debut single There There
, Briars have established themselves as one of the most exciting acts in Ireland's thriving folk and trad revival. Blending alternative folk with traditional Irish influences while incorporating elements of punk and indie-pop, the band have carved out a distinctive sound that feels both timeless and contemporary.
Their growing reputation has earned them appearances at major festivals including Electric Picnic, Whelan's Folk and Trad Festival, Galway Folk Festival, and the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. Alongside an impressive live schedule, Briars have steadily built a strong catalogue of releases that showcase their evolving songwriting and musicianship.
A key part of the band's appeal lies in their rich instrumentation. Drawing from bouzouki, fiddle, accordion, harmonium, piano, synths, bass, and drums, Briars effortlessly bridge the gap between traditional Irish music and modern alternative folk. Their latest single, Roimh, is perhaps their most accomplished example of that balancing act yet.
Roimh
Delivers an Infectious Blend of Folk and Indie Energy
From the opening moments, Roimh announces itself as a lively indie-folk foot-tapper powered by a relentless rhythm section. Traditional textures weave seamlessly through the arrangement as fiddle and acoustic guitar melodies sit comfortably alongside electric guitars, bass, and driving percussion.
The track constantly builds momentum, creating an uplifting sense of movement that carries listeners from beginning to end. Vocally, there's an engaging rawness to the performance, with occasional raspy flourishes.
As the track develops, Briars continue to layer new elements into the mix. A melodic string section arrives late in the song, while the chorus leans into a more accessible indie-pop sensibility. A sing-along choral section gives the hook an anthemic quality that feels tailor-made for festival crowds.
The band's ability to combine traditional Irish instrumentation with modern songwriting never feels forced. Instead, Roimh showcases a group fully confident in their identity and capable of appealing to both folk purists and contemporary indie audiences.
Speaking about the song, the band explain:
The idea is that even if things don't go as planned, or something ends badly, that it does not negate the time that was spent trying to get there. It would be easy to think 'what's the point in doing something if it's just going to end anyway?', but it would take us nowhere.- Briars
It is partly about the struggle to achieve certain things, and trying to have the persistence to keep going; whether it's moving on from a relationship that doesn't end well, or the devastation after someone has passed away, but you're looking back fondly on all the memories. The bad at the end doesn't discount the good that came before.
That sentiment gives Roimh an emotional depth that elevates it beyond its infectious melodies and energetic arrangement. At its core, the song is a reflection on perseverance, memory, and finding value in experiences regardless of how they end.
With an Irish tour on the horizon and a genuine indie-folk anthem now under their belt, Briars appear perfectly positioned for a breakthrough summer. If Roimh is any indication of what's to come, the band's upward trajectory looks set to continue well into the future.
With an incoming Irish tour and an indie-folk anthem under their belt, 'Roimh' sees BRIARS poised for a defining Summer ahead.
UPCOMING SHOWS
26th June | The Courthouse - Tinahely, Co.Wicklow
10th July | Cleere's - Co.Kilkenny
11th July | Theatre Royal - Co. Waterford
The single, Roimh, is available through all streaming platforms.
Photo Credit: i am a cosmonaut
