Fresh off a sold-out North American tour, Irish duo 49th & Main continue their streak of successes with the announcement of their debut album. Happy Tears is set for release via digital and vinyl on June 13th via Counter Records (Ninja Tune) & is led by new single Mr Rain out now.
“This show has been rescheduled to Friday 13th March 2026.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to reschedule the UK leg of our upcoming headline tour for March 2026, all tickets remain valid for the new dates. UK, we can’t wait to see you in March!
Nothing is changing with our European dates, so Europe we’ll see you guys in September
More exciting news to follow for the rest of the world!”
With over 200 million streams, 2.2 million monthly Spotify listeners, multiple BBC Radio 1 – backed releases & listed in the NME 100, the pair have become one of the most popular acts in music coming from Ireland and sit at the forefront of indie-electronic music globally. But this is only a fraction of their story…
“With kaleidoscopic, adventurous energy and the pop sensibilities of something more likely to trouble the top of the charts, they’ve hit upon a brilliant hybrid”
From self-releasing tracks in Kilkenny to selling out international tours, 49th & Main have built a sound that fuses UK garage, jazz-infused house, and emotionally charged indie-pop. Defying the traditional industry blueprint, they’ve evolved from TikTok buzz to securing major festival slots at Glastonbury, Electric Picnic, and The Great Escape. Along the way, they’ve signed with Counter Records (Ninja Tune), landed a spot on the EA FC soundtrack, and earned a BBC Radio 1 Future Artist slot – further cementing their global rise.
New single, Mr Rain, captures their ability to blend nostalgia with innovation and it’s already had a first spin on BBC Radio 1.
“You’re gonna love the vibes of this track.. a duo from Kilkenny – who are beloved across Radio 1, a previous next wave too, they are 49th & Main. The track.. is the start of what I imagine will be a very big year for them!”
That said, Mr Rain is a snapshot of what makes 49th & Main unique – a fusion of past and present, tradition and reinvention.
“This song has been through it over the years! (Paddy) My Dad had been at me to take one of his songs he wrote 36 years ago and let me and Ben do what we do. The first 4 lines are 36 years old and the rest I thought didn’t feel like I could relate so I started from there. It feels like a song about regret but in a fun bouncy way.”
That constant duality – looking back while pushing forward – is at the heart of Happy Tears: the feeling of embracing the moment even as it slips away. Across 21 tracks, the album moves between euphoric highs and introspective lows, reflecting every facet of their sound. Capturing the rush of youth and the bittersweet awareness that nothing lasts forever, Happy Tears serves as a coming-of-age soundtrack – balancing reckless abandon with the quiet realisation that these are the moments we’ll one day long for.
“I’ve always been plagued by nostalgia my whole life…
… At any one time, no matter how good things are going, I’ve always looked towards the past with envy. Even some of the worst times in my history I will look back upon fondly. I was watching the US Office recently, as one often does and a quote from Andy stuck with me. ..“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” We can all relate to this sentiment.” (Ben)
Their last single, Distractions, released in February, will also be part of the album, offering an early glimpse into its emotional depth. The track resonates as a reflection of life’s dualities – the push and pull of home and adventure. Setting the pace for what’s to come, it has already earned multiple BBC Radio 1 spins. Previous singles Self Sabotage, Hold On and Can’t Walk Away will also be featured, already generating millions of streams.
Beyond their growing accolades, 49th & Main’s journey has been one of perseverance. Producer Ben O’Sullivan’s battle with aplastic anemia forced him off the road, but rather than halting their momentum, the challenge fueled their creativity. Exploring new sonic directions that have led them to this point, they continued their craft with tracks like Catching Eyes, Self Sabotage and also Hold On with fellow Irish talent SHEE.
“49th & Main are among the hottest prospects Ireland has produced in years. They more than lived up to their reputation as brilliant performers…confirming exactly why they are real contenders for global mega-success.”
