KIPPAX
We first came across Kippax back in February at a Sky Rocket Promotions show, and it didn’t take long to realise they were exactly the kind of band we wanted to platform.
In fact, we asked them to be one of our Artists of the Month pretty much straight after their set. It was one of those instant moments of connecting with the music.
Fast forward to early April, and we got the chance to properly spend some time with them when they supported The Rackets in Belfast - a quick photoshoot and a chat about everything that makes Kippax, Kippax.
MEET THE BAND
At their core, Kippax are four best friends - Cameron (vocals), Ewan (guitar), Conor (drums) and Dano (bass). They met in secondary school and bonded over bands like The Stone Roses and The Smiths - a foundation that still runs through everything they do.
They’ve been playing together for around three years, but the last year is where things have really started to click.
Before that, Kippax looked a little different - with Ewan, Cameron and Dano performing as a drumless acoustic setup until they finally asked Conor to join.
“We finally worked up the nerve to approach mutual friend Conor (who, incidentally, was the only drummer we knew).”
Thankfully, he said yes - and the rest is Kippax history.
THEIR SOUND
Kippax describe themselves as “a jangly indie rock band,” but that only scratches the surface. There’s something more atmospheric sitting underneath it all - a slight edge that cuts through the brightness and gives their sound a bit of weight.
More than anything though, they’re a live band.
“Our primary aim is to get people on their feet and moving at our gigs.”
Their influences are worn pretty openly - you’ll hear shades of The Stone Roses, Pulp, Suede and The Smiths - but it’s the smaller details that keep things interesting. Like Dano’s “childhood love affair with ABBA,” which somehow still finds its way into the mix.
Lately, they’ve been leaning into heavier territory too, describing a recent “Turnstile summer” and getting into bands like Turnstile and Mannequin Pussy.
When it comes to writing, Ewan brings in ideas from home on an acoustic guitar - but it doesn’t stay just his for long.
“The lads will decide if it meets the grade or not. If they like it, it stops being Ewan’s song and becomes a Kippax song.”
THE SCENE
Kippax are quick to highlight just how strong the Irish scene is right now, describing it as “such a vibrant thing… with so many people putting in such an effort to see it succeed.”
From Strand and For Nina to Eppie and The Ravs, there’s no shortage of acts they’re excited about - alongside bands like Delivery Service and Cable Boy, who they love.
They also highlighted initiatives like the BLAB Showcase as being hugely important in helping emerging artists push forward - a reminder that, as they put it:
“A rising tide lifts all ships.”
LIVE & UPCOMING
Right now, Kippax have their sights set on the summer ahead. A festival debut is firmly at the top of the list, alongside a hometown show for Manchester-native Ewan - a moment that feels like a natural milestone for the band.
They’ve also been “hard at work in the studio for the last few months,” but for now, the focus is on the live side of things. With shows lined up across the UK and Ireland, they’re putting everything into building momentum where it matters most - on stage.
And from seeing them twice now, we can say with confidence - they’re a band worth making the effort to go watch.
OUR VERDICT
It says a lot when you can watch a band once and immediately know they’re one you’ll still feel the same way about months later - even without a run of releases in between. That was exactly the case with Kippax.
Seeing them again just confirmed it.
We were just as blown away the second time, and even more impressed after getting to know them off stage. There’s something very real about what they’re building - both in their sound and in who they are as a band - and that’s not something you come across every day.
Kippax feel like a band with a long road ahead of them, in the best possible way.
We’d happily rush back to catch them at another Dublin show - but even more than that, we’d love to have them as part of a future Noise Night in Belfast.
Genuinely, they feel like one of the most underrated bands in Dublin right now - they’re the kind of band we’d recommend to anyone without hesitation.
