Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2025 Spotlights Rising Talent

As the 47th Guinness Cork Jazz Festival gears up for the October Bank Holiday weekend, this year’s line-up doesn’t just bring legendary names; it elevates a new generation of boundary-pushing artists who are carving out bold spaces in contemporary music along with homegrown talent. From soul-stirring vocals to genre-blending powerhouses, rising stars are firmly in the spotlight.

So, who are the names to watch this year?

Among the breakout Irish acts are Toshín, whose powerhouse vocals blend soul, R&B, Afro-pop and theatre; and Khakikid, one of the most talked-about voices in Irish rap. Tolü Makay, who came to national attention with her soaring cover of N17 with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, brings her soulful energy to Cork, while God Knows, a pioneer of Irish hip-hop, continues to push boundaries with his new solo work. He has just released his debut album - A Future of The Past.

Other names making waves include Zaska, the Dublin funk-soul collective led by guitarist Max Zaska; Winnie Ama, a rising Belfast-born neo-soul artist, who is about to release her debut album D3KA; and Smithereens, a fresh Irish group fusing funk, soul and jazz. Adding to the international flavour are Yankari, Dublin’s Afrobeat ensemble with Nigerian roots; Estratos, pushing the edges of electronic-jazz crossover.

More names to watch include CamrinWatsin, an Irish house producer who has amassed a cult following in a short space of time, and was nominated for a Brit Award in 2024; Aby Coulibaly, Ireland’s biggest RnB star who last year shot to fame supporting Coldplay at Croke Park and joining Cian Ducrot at New Year’s Festival; Monjola, one of the brains behind Dublin’s much loved label and collective Chamomile Club, will support Rejjie Snow with his signature feel good soul/hip-hop; and F3Miii, Joe Butler and Chameleon who will also join Khakikid at his sold out shows in St Luke’s.

Brass band of the moment, TBL8 will perform a sold out show at the Kino with their mix of covers and brass originals; while Melina Malone, off the back of supporting Gregory Porter in 24 and Morcheeba in 23, will host her own show at the Triskel with her 5 piece jazz band.

Welsh rock band Feeder, one of the longest-surviving bands to have originated in the UK’s 90’s Indie-Rick scene, have personally selected two Cork acts to join them for their only Irish performance of 2025 at Cork City Hall on Friday, October 24. Diveboy (formerly The Burma) and Babyrat, winners of the Fred Zeppelins Battle of the Bands and recent performers at Ireland Music Week 2025, will open the show.

Many of these emerging voices will take to stages at Kino and Live at St. Luke’s, intimate venues that have become incubators for new talent during the festival.

They’ll perform alongside a heavyweight international bill that includes Cymande, JP Cooper, Orchestra Baobab, The Pharcyde, Nubya Garcia, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Sienna Spiro, Rejjie Snow, Maverick Sabre and Jeff Mills – proof of the eclectic weekend in store.

Mark Murphy, festival director, said, “The inclusion of rising artists who draw on R&B, Afro-pop, hip-hop, and experimental styles reflects how modern jazz festivals are evolving—and how young artists are shaping that evolution.  We want the Guinness Cork Jazz festival to support rising talent and local talent.  The festival’s expanded scope and diversity of artists make it appealing not just for jazz purists but for anyone interested in musical innovation.”

Over five days, the festival will feature more than 500 musicians across 100 events in nearly 80 venues, from headline venues for ticketed shows to a free Guinness Music Trail.   The festival also spills into the streets with surprise pop-up gigs, and brass bands with The Big Fringe.  The reach of the festival also extends beyond the city to surrounding areas such as Douglas and Kinsale, making it a key cultural draw for both domestic and international visitors.

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has attracted more than 100,000 attendees in recent years, establishing itself as Ireland’s premier jazz event and the biggest city-based music festival. 

With its mix of jazz greats, global innovators, and breakthrough Irish talent, it’s set to be another incredible weekend of music with a great festival vibe across the city.   The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is supported by Diageo, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork Airport.  The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival takes place from 23-27 October. Tickets and full programme details are available at guinnesscorkjazz.com