The Marra

The five‑piece rock band from Derry have been praised by Noel Gallagher and championed by Paul Weller. The band have quickly earned a reputation as one of Ireland’s most exciting emerging acts.

Blending the swagger of ’90s Brit‑pop, the urgency of early‑2000s indie, and the timeless pull of Beatles‑esque harmony, they shape their influences into a sound that feels both familiar and unmistakably their own. The Marra draw from their experience of growing up working class in the city of Derry to create anthems of hope and yearning.

Formed by friends Shane McGowan, Ryan Ward, Matt Crossan, Luke McLaughlin and Conor Lynch, the band grew up side by side, steeped in the music, stories, and humor of Derry. That shared upbringing fuels their writing: emotionally charged, lyrically grounded, and driven by a sense of hope, yearning, and defiance.

Each member brings experience from acclaimed local projects, giving The Marra a rare combination of youthful energy and seasoned musicianship.