MacD on Music: A look back at musical highlights of 2025

We’re officially into 2026. If the last few years are anything to go by, there’s going to be plenty happening music-wise in the next twelve months. So far, we’ve got confirmed releases from Polar Bolero and KOBACK, plus gigs from Hard to Explain (with support from Stitch, Sanctum and Asylum Road) and Sister Ghost (with support from A.N.J.A. and Cora Harkin) in the next couple of months. It’s off to a pretty good start.

This week I’m taking a look back at some of the musical highlights of 2025, a year of brilliant gigs, brilliant music and the tragic end of one long-time feature of this fine column.

Polar Bolero/tessio.

First up, let’s start with what was a contender for gig of the year. In October, two of Derry’s finest played a pair of double headline gigs here and in Belfast. Polar Bolero and tessio. took to the stage in Sandino’s to a packed house for a night of brilliant music and a stark reminder that Derry is in dire need of more saxophone music.

Opening with the always-brilliant tessio., fresh off two sold out gigs in Whelan’s in Dublin, and closing with both groups coming together for ‘The Weight’, it was a night nobody there will forget any time soon.

Cora Harkin (w/Reflect)

Next, we go back to September and Cora Harkin’s headline gig in the Nerve Centre. Long-time readers will be well aware of Cora, who has been a mainstay of these pages from column #3. In the four year since then, Cora has released six original singles and opened for the likes of Hothouse Flowers.

Last year, Cora played her biggest headline gig to date in the Nerve Centre. Featuring support from Belfast-based Reflect (another great band. Go check them out then come back and finish reading this), the gig was a showcase for her brilliant songwriting and incredible band, plus covers of Fleetwood Mac, Chappell Roan and the Cranberries. For those who missed it, you’ll get another chance to see Cora and her band when she opens for Sister Ghost on Valentine’s Day in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

TRAMP/Parker/Muck Savage

Now, June, when we bid farewell to Parker. After four years, column mainstays Parker decided to call it a day. Of course, they couldn’t just go quietly into the night. For their final gig, Parker opened for TRAMP at the launch of their EP ‘Bimbofication’ (available now in Cool Discs, along with Parker’s ‘Never Let This Go’).

The gig, also featuring Muck Savage (another group to keep an eye on), was a fitting sendoff, while also conveniently leading us to the next section…

Dylan Bradley & the Heat

Rising from the ashes of Parker, former frontman/Three Mile Records label boss Dylan Bradley returned in August with his new project Dylan Bradley & the Heat. Warming up with ‘Makes Me Feel Good’, things continued to simmer with second single ‘Susana’ in November and gigs supporting the likes of Muck Savage and Lord Jane.

Shasma

We’re at September now in this totally random timeline of events, and the launch of the video for Shasma’s ‘Employee of the Month’ from their debut album ‘In Consequence’ (available now in Cool Discs).

An alternative variety show, the night took place in Bennigan’s and featured performances from most of the cast of the video (which you should go watch on YouTube now. Don’t worry, we’re in no rush here), including GRIM17, Frank Rafferty, Miss Mary Jane, Leah McDaid, Shazz White and, of course, Shasma themselves.

Night Demon (w/Devilsome and Falchion)

Finally, August, and the much-anticipated return of Night Demon to Sandino’s. The American band are definitely a must-see for any metalheads, and this gig featured support from Devilsome and the first ever gig from Falchion, a group I’m sure we’ll be hearing plenty from in the near future.

For spacial reasons, I can’t go through every gig and release last year, so here’s a few more highlights.

October saw the return of CHERYM with two collaborations with Scottish band Uninvited and the double A-side ‘The After Party’, featuring the songs ‘Liar (Despise You)’ and ‘Sofa Bed’.

In May, Headmelt gave us their debut album ‘Crua’, which quickly became a strong contender for album of the year.

READ MORE: MacD on Music

2025 also saw the return of The Marra, now featuring Conor Lynch of The Switch and Touts legends Matthew Crossan and Luke McLaughlin. This line-up released ‘Falling Off’ in June and there’s plenty more to come in 2026.

Also last year, we had the debut of rOwdy with their single ‘Tatooine’, the return of Lord Jane with their EP ‘The Lifting Of The Fog’, Boa Chitta with her brilliant singles ‘Sparkling Dynamite’ and ‘Lifeguard’ and The Suite with their long-anticipated EP ‘Square One’.

And that’s about all I have room for. If there’s anyone who thinks I’ve left you out, it’s not personal. It’s just that I only have so many words to work with and I’m already pushing it.

And that’s it for our look back at 2025. Hopefully 2026 brings a lot more great music and lots of new artists that we’ll be talking about in this year’s round up.