GoldenPlec
Weekly musical musings from John Loftus & Stephen Byrne, with all the last news, reviews from the Irish music scene and beyond. There also fascinating interviews with fantastic guests and stimulating insights from guest contributors.
Episodes
Mar 19, 2026
Mar 19, 2026
32 min
On this week's episode of the GoldenPlec podcast we review Crystalpunk the fantastic debut new album from Chalk and Pull Like a Dog the latest album from The Scratch.
We also bring you our usual collection of music news, along with reviews of a truck load of brand new singles from Ireland and overseas.
Mar 12, 2026
Mar 12, 2026
54 min
On this week’s episode we bring you all the buzz from a fantastic night at the Choice Music Awards, including a chat with John Barker who was one of this year's Album of the Year judges.
We review new albums from Rosie Carney and Gorillaz and the Help 2 charity album, along with a whole heap of new singles from bleachers, Soda Blonde, Shobsy, and Sprints. And John shares his views on the Elvis Presley in Concert movie and Man on the Run, the new Paul McCartney documentary.
Feb 27, 2026
Feb 27, 2026
40 min
On this week’s show we’ll be reviewing the crackin' new album from Thumper and and we’ll be giving you our no holds barred view on the new EP from U2.
We’ll also be talking to Sarah O’Sullivan of SOS Live to talk about that new venture which aims to support up and coming Irish music acts. And Aidan O'Connor from Mike the Pies joins us to give us the insider scoop on the Foo Fighters visit to Dingle.
Feb 21, 2026
Feb 21, 2026
41 min
On this week's episode of the GoldenPlec podcast we review new albums from Cardinals and Charli XCX and we’ll be shining a light on this week’s best new Irish singles from Malaki, Lemonade Shoelace and a great collaboration between Ledbyher and Biig Piig.
James Hendicott a stalwart of GoldenPlec over the years will also be joining us to discuss his interesting new publication - Intervals.
You can enjoy all the music mentioned on the GoldenPlec Podcast here - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MJHLIDI73y3IkiTJl1iTM?si=88806e6ddbdd4975
Feb 15, 2026
Feb 15, 2026
51 min
On this week's episode we review new releases from A.S. Fanning, Rosie Carney, Dystopian Novels and Annika Kilkenny. Ailbhe Reddy joins us to discuss her excellent new album Kiss Big, and we’ll also have another selection from our Plec Picks for 2026.
Feb 5, 2026
Feb 5, 2026
56 min
On this week's episode we have a fascinating interview with the legend that is Mike Garson, David Bowie's longest serving musical collaborator, ahead of the Dublin Bowie Festival.
We also look back at the All we Have are Days festival which took place in Limerick over the St. Brigid's weekend, and we have our usual mix of news, reviews, and more Plec Picks for you to discover.
Jan 28, 2026
Jan 28, 2026
43 min
The GoldenPlec music blog goes to places it's never been before. Join John Loftus and Stephen Byrne for the first taste of their weekly musical musings. This week they debate the merits or otherwise of the Choice Music Prize shortlists, lend their ears to new releases including Ailbhe Reddy's new album Kiss Big, and shine the light on a selection of our Plec Picks for 2026.