I Dreamed I Dream

I Dreamed I Dream are a four-piece from Cork, known for their unapologetic mix of noise, chaos, and raw energy. Blending post-punk, dream-pop, sean-nós, and 60s girl groups with a distinct Corkonian edge, the band has quickly made a name for themselves as one of Ireland's most exciting live acts.

Described by Paste Magazine as “possibly the best live act in Ireland right now,” I Dreamed I Dream have built a reputation for their high-octane, unpredictable performances that blur the line between gig and theatrical exorcism. Think noise, catharsis, and a communal toast of tonic wine – it's a visceral experience that grabs audiences' attention and keeps them on their toes.

The band’s debut EP, Why Say A Lot? (released in October 2023), received rave reviews for its unique blend of noise-rock, shoegaze, and sardonic humour. Nialler9 described it as “a challenge to every teenage girl in Ireland: I dare you to start a band,” while Echo Live hailed the band’s existential, punk-infused sound as “one of the most exciting bands to have emerged from Cork in recent times.”
I Dreamed I Dream has spent the past year solidifying their place in the Irish music scene, with festival appearances at Other Voices, MusicTown, Cork Midsummer Festival, and Féile na Gréine, as well as support slots for M(h)aol, Pillow Queens, and The Frank and Walters.

Now, with their highly anticipated second EP, BOYOPOISONING, set for release on in April 2025, I Dreamed I Dream are ready to push their sound even further. Described as "a raw, unfiltered dive into the chaos of your twenties," BOYOPOISONING combines traditional sounds that have long haunted their live sets with their experimental edge. The EP is “a coming-of-age story, if coming of age means realising you have zero tolerance for bullshit,” according to the band, who also note that it’s “about love, loss, and Princess Diana.”

Since their formation in 2021, when Julie Landers and Elle O’Leary Kelleher first began as the duo Patty and Selma, I Dreamed I Dream has evolved into a four-piece, expanding their sound and energy. With Claire Aherne (vocals/bass), and Niamh Hayes (synths) rounding out the lineup, the band has become a fixture of Ireland’s vibrant music scene.

Their debut single, “Apparition,” released in September 2023, was a striking introduction to their sound - a smoldering take on dream-pop that fuses shoegaze-inspired atmospherics with sharp-edged punk energy. With BOYOPOISONING, I Dreamed I Dream refine their style even further, channelling the raw intensity and emotional depth of their live performances into the studio with greater precision and bold experimentation.