Meet the band that kicked U2's leather clad ass

Back in 2015, U2, Sinead O'Conner and Hozier were all up for Choice Music Prize for Best Irish Album of the Year. Big names, but none of them walked away with the award. Instead, the accolades went to The Gloaming. There's a very good chance that you haven't heard of them. You may not like them. But man, you gotta give them a chance.

Comprised of Irishmen Iarla O Lionaird, Martin Hayes and Caoimhin i Raghallaigh on vocals and fiddle, respectively, as well as Americans Thomas Bartlett on piano with Dennis Cahill on guitar, they're a musical force like none other. Each musician in The Gloaming came to the band with successful careers of their own. Not a one of them has a damn thing to prove. You won't find any ego on stage at one of their concerts - just some of the best music you'll ever have the privilege of hearing. It's moody stuff, and at times joyous, with many of their compositions moving from slow dirges into barn burning reels in a matter of minutes. This video of their tune, Opening Set, runs SIXTEEN MINUTES LONG. They don't stop for a break, there are no solos. Just a wall of beautiful noise. The Gloaming don't fuck around.

Seriously give this song a chance, from start to finish, before you form an opinion. Then, stop by the comments and tell me what you think. Oh, and if you're into them, you can hear both of their records on Apple Music, and Spotify.