The air in Galway’s The Cellar was already thick with the ghost of 90s nostalgia upon walking into an underground setting fit for classic grunge rock. The support act had set the bar high, delivering a performance so deeply rooted in Ten-era Pearl Jam that if you closed your eyes, you’d swear Eddie Vedder himself was stalking the stage. It was the perfect warm-up for the main act: Indigo Violets (IV). Read on for more right here...
Wrriten by Christo Dunleavy.
Since their formation in early 2025, driven by lead-guitarist Garreth Dunleavy, this four-piece has been making a lot of noise, both literally and figuratively, about "leading the charge in Ireland’s rock revival." It’s a bold claim that would usually raise more than a few eyebrows, but after witnessing their latest outing, I’m starting to think they might just be leading the right path.
The Engine Room: Ted "Fuzzy Head" Barrett
The biggest revelation of the night was the addition of Ted Barrett behind the kit. I don’t say this lightly, as someone who grew up listening to the monster sounds behind Nirvana and QOTSA produced by Dave Grohl, Barrett is a powerhouse.
Along with the brilliant bassist, Eric Reilly, Barrett provides the metronomic precision that forms the bedrock of a solid rhythm section, but he doesn’t sacrifice flair for timing. His drumming is a masterclass in raw energy; he peppers the set with excellent flams and sophisticated syncopation that keeps the band on their toes, pushing and pulling the band as needed. He isn’t just keeping this crazy train on time; he’s Ozzy’s conductor, and he’s driving it bloody fast.
Originals vs. Homage
The setlist was a balanced attack of original compositions and high-octane covers. Opening with their debut single "Hey You" (penned by lead-guitarist Garreth Dunleavy), the band immediately signalled their intent. The track is a visceral collision of influences, it carries the jagged, cynical bite of Nirvana’s "Very Ape" fused with the breakbeat aggression of The Prodigy’s "Voodoo People." It’s a potent mix that proved they have the hooks to fill the much larger venues on their upcoming 2026 Ireland and UK tour. This and the anthemic "(You) Take on Me," further cement the fact that IV knows how to write for the back of the room too.
Lead singer, Echo Harte’s bellowing version of Vertigo had everything you'd want in a perfect U2 cover. Then there was "Adore." Let’s call it what it is: an unapologetic, foot-pounding tribute to Free’s "All Right Now." While the DNA is clearly borrowed, Indigo Violets inject it with a modern grit that makes it feel vital again. Between the classic riffs and the soaring dynamics of "The Butterfly Effect," the band showed a versatility that most new acts lack, a throwback to when Metallica would switch from ‘Puppets to Nothing Else Matters.
The Special Guest
The night reached a new gear when Canadian vocalist Sen took the mic. Her contribution changed the molecular makeup of the room. She followed up with a rock-solid cover of "Mr. Brightside," with a rendition of The Temper Trap’s "Sweet Disposition" that was hauntingly beautiful, hitting those soaring highs with a stadium-level clarity that goes way beyond her stature. Proving she has the versatility to match the band’s "all-gas-no-brakes" policy, she finished her surprise appearance with something I never thought I'd hear live: a rock cover of Taylor Swift’s "Fate of Ophelia." It had a raw, Miley Cyrus feel to it that I never expected. The band provided a punchy platform to Sen’s vocals that was the perfect mic-drop for her stage exit.
The Grand Finale
Just when we thought they had emptied the tank, the band returned for an encore that defined the night. They led with their latest release, "(You) Take on Me," which landed with the kind of anthemic weight usually reserved for a band’s greatest hits. This was followed by a towering cover of David Bowie’s "Heroes." It’s a dangerous song to cover, it requires a specific blend of vulnerability and triumph, but the band absolutely nailed it. And that was a “first attempt,” apparently. If that’s their starting point, the ceiling for this band is non-existent.
The Verdict
With Garreth’s sharp guitar work, Echo Harte’s magnetic front-man energy, the booming bass of Eric Reilly, and the game-changing addition of "Fuzzy Head" Ted Barrett on drums, Indigo Violets are no longer just a Galway secret.
They are a band built for the big stage. Catch them now in the intimate settings while you still can - because between a date in January at the world-famous The Cavern Club, a historic early stomping ground for The Beatles, and high-profile support slots with Oasis Supernova in Belfast this summer, the secret is officially out; Rock n’ Roll is alive and kicking.
To learn more about this exciting ones to watch act, visit indigoviolets.ie, where tickets can also be purchased for their upcoming 2026 tour.
Stay updated with the latest Indigo Violets news by following them on socials @indigoviolets.ie.
Dates for the 2026 tour include; Jan 29th - The Cavern Club, Liverpool (Supporting Ryder), May 30th - Fiddler's Elbow, London, May 31st - Fibber McGee's, Dublin, June 12th- TLT, Drogheda (Supporting Oasis Supernova), and June 13th - Mandela Hall, Belfast (Supporting Oasis Supernova).
All photos courtesy Indigo Violets.
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