Villagers

Villagers, led by singer-songwriter Conor O’Brien, achieved critical acclaim with their debut album ‘Becoming a Jackal’, earning a shortlist nomination for the 2010 Mercury Prize and the Choice Music Prize. Formed in 2008 by O’Brien, who previously honed his craft with The Immediate and as a guitarist for Cathy Davey, Villagers debuted live in November 2008 at Whelan’s with O’Brien having written the initial seven songs. Their debut EP, ‘Hollow Kind’, released in February 2009, showcased four tracks entirely written and performed by O’Brien, drawing comparisons to artists such as Bright Eyes and Sparklehorse. The success of ‘Becoming a Jackal’ (2010) was further cemented when it received the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 2011.

The band remains active, releasing new music with the single ‘That Golden Time’ in May 2024. Villagers continues to perform and record, building on their impressive catalog of critically lauded and award-winning work.