Alternative folk Irish six-piece Madra Salach share their new single ‘Ribbon Factory’, the first new song arriving after a summer that saw them hailed as one of the most exciting live acts on the UK and EU festival circuit. ‘Ribbon Factory’ will be recognised by those who have seen them live over the past year, and it carries that explosive energy into the recording, as frontman Paul Banks’ explains:
“’Ribbon Factory’ is a song we’ve been particularly excited to share. It feels like a stepping stone for us into more lively and punky arrangements. We’ve been playing it live for over a year and that’s really influenced the recording. It’s a uniquely Irish song and is wrought with anger and despair.”
The single was recorded with in-demand producer Loren Humphrey in New York, whose recent other credits include Geese and Cameron Winter, as well as Westside Cowboy’s It Goes On album.
Having made a major impression across the Irish festival scene the previous summer, Madra Salach have taken that momentum to the UK and Europe, delivering standout performances at The Great Escape, End of the Road, Primavera, Latitude, Roskilde, Green Man and many more. Their visceral, hypnotic live show is central to the band’s identity, with audiences and critics alike responding to a sound that brings together traditional Irish music, experimental folk and a raw, contemporary energy.
This week saw the band kickoff their sold-out headline UK tour which includes two nights at London’s Electric Ballroom and Manchester’s New Century Hall as well as shows in Liverpool, Cardiff, Sheffield, Glasgow, Nottingham and more. They also recently announced a North American tour selling out 3 shows in New York. Madra Salach will appear on Jools Holland on 25 October.
Madra Salach is Paul Banks (vocals), Adam Cullen (guitar), Jack Martin (mandolin/synth), Maxime Arnold (harmonium), Dara Duffy (drums) and Jack Lawlor (bass)
Madra Salach Live Dates
October
2 – Arts Club, Liverpool (UK) – Sold-Out
3 – The Grove, Newcastle (UK) – Sold-Out
5 – Saint Luke’s, Glasgow (UK) – Sold-Out
6 – New Century Hall, Manchester (UK) – Sold-Out
7 – Foundry, Sheffield (UK) – Sold-Out
9 – Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich (UK) – Sold-Out
10 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham (UK) – Sold-Out
11 – The Bullingdon, Oxford (UK) – Sold-Out
13 – Electric Ballroom, London (UK) – Sold-Out
14 – Electric Ballroom, London (UK) – Sold-Out
December
3 – Les Transmusicales, Rennes (FR)
5 – Bank Lane, Waterford (IE) – Sold-Out
6 – Dolans, Limerick (IE) – Sold-Out
10 – Vicar Street Dublin, Dublin (IE) – Sold-Out
11 – Mandela Hall, Belfast (UK) – Sold-Out
12 – Leisureland, Galway (IE) – Sold-Out
17 – Set Theatre, Kilkenny (IE) – Sold-Out
18 – Cyprus Avenue, Cork (IE) – Sold-Out
19 – Cyprus Avenue, Cork (IE) Sold-Out
2027
January
8 – Rockaway Beach, Bognor Regis (UK)
June
26 – Slane Castle, County Meath (IE) (supporting Fontaines D.C.)
27 – Slane Castle, County Meath (IE) (supporting Fontaines D.C.)
For more information on Madra Salach please check their instagram and tiktok.