Kodaline frontman Steve Garrigan has confirmed the band will conclude their decade-long career with a final international tour, following the announcement that the group will officially part ways. Speaking on RTÉ One’s The Museum of Me, Garrigan reflected on the origins of the band’s breakthrough 2013 single, “High Hopes,” noting that the song’s success remains a surreal milestone for the Dublin-based quartet as they prepare for their final live shows in Cork and Dublin in June 2026.
How did a family piano define the Kodaline sound?
The band’s signature sound is a direct result of an old, out-of-tune piano from Garrigan’s family home. According to the frontman, the instrument is tuned down a semitone, a quirk that dictated the musical key of the band’s entire catalog. “All our instruments are tuned down a semitone because the songs all started on this piano,” Garrigan told RTÉ. This technical limitation became a defining stylistic choice for the group, influencing tracks across their four studio albums, from their 2013 debut In a Perfect World to 2020’s One Day at a Time.
Before finding fame as Kodaline, the group performed under the name 21 Demands. They officially rebranded in 2012 to signal a shift in their creative direction.
Why was “High Hopes” a turning point for the band?
Garrigan identifies “High Hopes” as the first song he wrote that felt authentic, emerging from a period of personal struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. He told host Dermot Whelan that while he had written other material previously, this track was the first to bridge the gap between his personal experiences and public resonance. Despite the song’s eventual global reach, Garrigan admitted he had no sense of its commercial potential at the time, stating, “I didn’t really know that it was special. I just felt it was a good song.”
What is the legacy of the Farewell Tour?
The band, consisting of Steve Garrigan, Vincent May, Mark Prendergast, and Jason Boland, is currently executing a final tour schedule spanning Asia, Australia, Europe, and the UK. The Irish leg of the tour includes two major performances: Virgin Media Park in Cork on Friday, 19 June 2026, and Malahide Castle in Dublin on Saturday, 20 June 2026. These dates serve as the final chapter for a group that began in Swords, north Dublin, at a time when Garrigan says he never considered music a viable career path.
When analyzing the success of long-running bands, look at the contrast between early, raw songwriting—like Garrigan’s piano-based compositions—and the polished production of later studio albums. This evolution often marks the difference between a fleeting hit and a lasting career.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When are the final Kodaline shows in Ireland?
The band will play Virgin Media Park in Cork on 19 June 2026 and Malahide Castle in Dublin on 20 June 2026. - Why did Kodaline choose to tune their instruments down?
The decision was based on an old family piano belonging to Steve Garrigan, which was naturally tuned down a semitone. - Where can I watch the interview with Steve Garrigan?
The episode of The Museum of Me featuring Garrigan is available on RTÉ Player.
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