Cork quintet Cardinals have announced three Irish shows in support of their debut album Masquerade with dates in Dublin, Belfast and of course Cork for March 2026. Having spent 2025 opening for the likes of  Fontaines D.C, Wunderhorse, The Pogues and NewDad’s they’ve built up the perfect set of credentials ahead of the release of the Masquerade.

Masquerade was recorded in the legendary RAK Studios in London, in between the aforementioned commitments. And sees the band express their love for vinyl with separate and distinct musical tones to side A and Side B.

“This feels like a natural progression,” says frontman Euan. “The early years feel like a band still finding ourselves and trying different things. Whereas the album’s a bit more cohesive and a little bit more sure of itself.”

Euan promises “soft and beautiful melodies” on Side A followed by darker fare inspired by the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Iceage and Type O. Negative on Side B. “For the most part, the B-side is a darker and grittier exploration of the themes than what comes before,” explains Euan. “Big social changes that happen when you’re a child do affect you more than you realise”, referencing the secularity of the country after the release of the Murphy Report in 2009.

FRIDAY, 5 MARCH 2026 – ULSTER SPORTS CLUB, BELFAST

SATURDAY, 6 MARCH 2026 – LIVE AT ST. LUKE’S, CORK

SUNDAY, 7 MARCH 2026 – THE WORKMAN’S CLUB, DUBLIN

Tickets from €18.00 on sale Friday, 7 November at 10 AM from www.singularartists.ie.