Blue Slate

Kildare alternative rock band Blue Slate’s raw, yearning songs sear one moment then soothe the next. With the Irish music scene more prolific than ever, it takes true talent to be heard over all the noise. Blue Slate not only set themselves apart, but make it look easy thanks to their effortlessly infectious, guitar-driven hooks and piercing lyricism. Previously tipped as Hot for 2024 by Hot Press and having played around Europe , showcasing at events such as Rotterdam's Left of the Dial and Supersonic in Paris , the four-piece are already off to a flying start in 2025 with their exhilarating performances at Whelan's NYE Party , Whelan’s Ones to Watch Festival (lineup alums include Fontaines D.C., M(h)aol and Pillow Queens) and the Windmill Brixton in London that filled all venues to capacity.

Blue Slate released their debut EP, This is how I sleep at Night, on 12th February, 2025 via Blowtorch Records, a label known for working with some of Ireland’s most promising young bands, including Adore, Search Results and Virgins. The band—John Harney (vocals, guitar), Pierce Devine (guitar), James Hargreaves (bass) and Tim Tora (drums)—formed in autumn of 2022, but their roots go much further back than that. Harney and Devine first met as kids, bonding over their matching Brian Jones-style haircuts and hours spent listening to Harney’s older siblings’ vast CD collection—everything from metal to classic rock, KISS to Nirvana, ‘60s to ‘90s.

Blue Slate’s EP and its singles have garnered praise from RTÉ 2fm, BBC Radio Ulster, Nialler9, the Dublin Gazette, the Irish Daily Star, Kildare Nationalist, Hot Press, GoldenPlec, Fame Magazine, Clash, as well as being offered by RTE to record a live session of songs from their debut EP in the ever iconic studio 8 .

The band will hit the road for their first tour in support of the project, which will take them all over Ireland, the UK and Europe, kicking off in May 2025 . Looking forward, they plan to release more singles and tour more extensively across mainland Europe , the UK and Ireland , showcasing at festivals , gaining further support and listeners , building anticipation for their next big project .

" With the right timing and continued backing , Blue Slate could easily transition from cult favourites to leaders in the next wave of alternative rock "

- Fame Magazine

‘This Is How I Sleep At Night’ forms an exciting trajectory for Blue Slate, a punchy introduction that ignites the spirit of the Irish underground.

- Clash