The Coronas In Concert

The Coronas are cut from the same introspective, moody songwriting cloth as bands like Keane and Snow Patrol. However, the piano-driven music of the Irish quartet also possesses an abundance of earnest vocals, delicate arrangements, and an uncommon knack for heartfelt emoting, particularly about the ebbs and flows of relationships. 

That combination elevates the band’s tunes, no matter the approach: hushed ballads, driving jangle-pop, and delicate folk-rock. On 2018’s Reprise EP, majestic strings even emerge on occasion to add sophisticated elegance and grace.

The Coronas have roots at Terenure College, where members Danny O’Reilly, Graham Knox, and Conor Egan first met and started playing music together. In 2007, the group released its debut album, Heroes or Ghosts, which spawned four Top 40 hits on the Irish singles chart. This achievement signaled the beginning of steady chart and career momentum. 

The band’s 2009 album, Tony Was an Ex-Con, won the prestigious Best Irish Album at the 2010 Meteor Awards. In 2011, the band landed their first Top 10 hit on the Irish singles chart with the swaggering indie tune “Addicted to Progress,” which peaked at No. 7. The keyboard-heavy pop-rocker “All the Others” bested that placement in 2014 after reaching No. 3. Three years later, the Coronas celebrated their first chart-topping album when 2017’s Trust the Wire went to No. 1 in their native Ireland.

Live, The Coronas exude sincerity that makes their performances feel like intimate house concerts. Frontman O’Reilly in particular oozes charisma that’s both demurring and engaging. However, the band’s penchant for bold, anthemic emotional statements also makes them an ideal large-venue act, since these universal sentiments create a communal atmosphere that’s infectious. After opening for luminaries like Paul McCartney and Justin Timberlake, The Coronas played a massive show in Cork, Ireland, in 2019. Throughout their career, The Coronas have played many famous venues, such as New York City’s Irving Plaza and Mercury Lounge.