Whelan’s Ones to Watch 2026 Closes with a Bang

If there were any post-Christmas cobwebs left in Dublin’s music scene, they were well and truly blown away this past week. Whelan’s Ones to Watch 2026 wrapped up its final run of dates on Saturday, cementing its reputation as the proving ground for the year ahead. With over 100 acts across three stages, the event gave music lovers a glimpse of the amazing talent we have here!

While the entire event was a marathon of talent, the closing weekend felt like a sprint to the finish line, with the venue absolutely packed. Friday night in the Main Room was a night to remember. Just as the midnight hour approached, Babyrat took the stage and absolutely tore the roof off. The videos and pictures I've seen online look absolutely brilliant. Their self-described "abrasive bitch-pop" sound, somewhere between the swagger of The Strokes and the bite of Olivia Rodrigo, was the perfect antidote to any lingering January blues.

They no doubt set a high bar, but it was one that friends of the site The Wran were more than ready to vault over. They took the late shift at 1 AM, the lads have a sound like nothing else around. Its Irish instrumentation with a punkish, psychedelic edge. They are so unique and I beg you to do yourself a favour and get listening to them!

Saturday acts proved that the Upstairs stage is often where the real magic happens. The intimate space was treated to a set from Groev, who only recently played their own sold out show here. These boys have the ability to make a small room feel like an arena but also like you're in someone's kitchen at 3am listening to some friends play. The lads are a breathe of positivity and immensely talented. A massive year ahead for them no doubt, full of new music and lots of gigs (we're really looking forward to both).

Keeping the momentum rolling into the night was Winemom, who took over the Upstairs stage just after 11 PM. They recently supported Groev on this stage so they were bound to feel right at home. They have a sound on them that’s pure Fleetwood Mac but with a modern indie bite. When the dust finally settled on Saturday night, there was no two ways about it: the standard for 2026 is absolutely savage. Things wrapped up late into the morning and from all the stories I heard it was a great end some brilliant nights of music. If the weekend was any sign of things to come, we’re in for a mighty year of tunes. Fair play to all involved!

Did you make it down to Ones to Watch 2026? Let us know your highlights!