- Saturday 4 July
We are in the midst of a formidable renaissance for Irish folk music, with a long line of strong artists bringing Ireland's rich musical roots into a conversation with our troubled times. Names such as Lankum and The Mary Wallopers have already helped bring this renaissance to Roskilde Festival, and if you like these bands, there's a good chance you'll love Madra Salach too.
Their name can be translated as "dirty dog" – a fitting name for a band that goes far beyond polite pleasantries, instead seeking out the harsh realities of life and having nothing but contempt for the language of power.
Although Madra Salach only released their first EP, It's a Hell of an Age, in early 2026, they are already surrounded by massive hype. This is largely due to the group's concerts, where the six musicians create a diverse, lively and raw soundscape. You can tell that they have spent their formative years in Ireland's many pubs and intimate folk venues, and that they have tradition in their blood. But at the same time, Madra Salach does not shy away from musical experiments with electrically distorted instruments, synthesizers and ambient drones. It is all lifted by poignant vocals that embrace a punk outlaw vibe, a deep melancholy and a great beauty.
The band itself has no doubts either. As they said in a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, their music is best experienced live. It is the direct contact with the audience that the band lives and breathes for, and you will get a fantastic opportunity to experience just that when Madra Salach takes to the stage at Roskilde Festival this summer.
