Olivia Rodrigo Covers Fontaines D.C. and CMAT on Tour — A Moment of Global Validation for Irish Music
Olivia Rodrigo, one of the biggest pop stars in the world, has been performing covers of songs by Irish acts Fontaines D.C. and CMAT during her ongoing world tour, in a development that has generated enormous excitement in the Irish music community and beyond. The covers — performed to audiences of tens of thousands in arenas across North America and Europe — represent a remarkable moment of international validation for two of the most distinctive and critically acclaimed acts to emerge from Ireland in recent years.
Background
Fontaines D.C. and CMAT occupy very different corners of the Irish music landscape, but they share a quality that has made them both internationally significant: an uncompromising commitment to their own artistic vision that has resonated far beyond the island of Ireland. Fontaines D.C., the Dublin post-punk band whose debut album Dogrel was one of the most celebrated records of 2019, have gone on to become one of the most critically acclaimed rock acts in the world, with their subsequent albums Skinty Fia and Romance receiving widespread international acclaim. CMAT — the stage name of Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson — is a Wicklow-born singer-songwriter whose blend of country, pop, and sharp-tongued wit has made her one of the most compelling voices in contemporary Irish music.
Olivia Rodrigo, the American singer-songwriter who rose to global fame with her debut album Sour in 2021, has established herself as one of the defining pop artists of her generation. Her music, which blends pop, rock, and country influences with confessional lyrics about youth, heartbreak, and identity, has resonated with audiences across the world, and her tours have become major cultural events. Her taste in music is widely followed, and her endorsement of an artist — whether through a cover, a social media post, or a public statement — can have a significant impact on that artist's profile and streaming numbers.
Key Developments
The Irish Times reported this week that Rodrigo has been performing covers of songs by both Fontaines D.C. and CMAT during her current tour, incorporating them into her set as a way of sharing music she loves with her audience. The specific songs covered have not been officially confirmed, but fan recordings circulating on social media suggest that she has been performing at least one song from each act, with the covers receiving enthusiastic responses from audiences who may not have been familiar with the Irish acts before the show.
The reaction in Ireland has been one of delighted surprise. Both Fontaines D.C. and CMAT have significant international profiles, but the endorsement of an artist of Rodrigo's commercial stature is a different order of recognition — one that is likely to introduce their music to millions of new listeners who might not otherwise have encountered it. Streaming data for both acts has reportedly shown a significant uptick in the days since the covers became public knowledge.
CMAT, who is known for her wit and her willingness to engage with her audience on social media, responded to the news with characteristic humour, posting a brief message that expressed her delight while maintaining the self-deprecating tone that has become one of her trademarks. Fontaines D.C. have not yet commented publicly, but members of the band's team have reportedly been in contact with Rodrigo's management.
Why It Matters
The Rodrigo covers matter because they are a vivid illustration of the global reach that Irish music has achieved in recent years. A decade ago, the idea that one of the world's biggest pop stars would be covering songs by Irish acts in arenas across North America would have seemed improbable. Today, it is a reflection of the genuine international standing that acts like Fontaines D.C. and CMAT have earned through the quality of their work and the authenticity of their artistic vision.
It also matters because of what it says about the current moment in Irish music. The country is producing an extraordinary range of artists across multiple genres — from the post-punk of Fontaines D.C. to the country-pop of CMAT, from the electronic music of Bicep to the traditional music of Lankum — and many of these artists are achieving international recognition that goes well beyond the Irish diaspora. This is not a coincidence; it reflects a cultural confidence and a creative vitality that has been building for years.
For the Irish music industry, the Rodrigo endorsement is also commercially significant. Both acts are signed to international labels and have established touring careers, but the additional exposure generated by Rodrigo's covers will open doors and create opportunities that would otherwise take years to develop. In the highly competitive global music market, this kind of organic endorsement from a peer of Rodrigo's stature is worth more than any marketing campaign.
Local Impact
In Dublin, where Fontaines D.C. formed and where CMAT is based, the news has been received with enormous pride. The city's music community — which has always had a strong sense of collective identity and mutual support — has been celebrating the recognition of two of its most distinctive voices. Several Dublin venues that have hosted both acts in their earlier careers have reported increased interest in upcoming shows, and there is speculation that both acts may announce additional Irish dates in response to the surge in demand.
What's Next
Fontaines D.C. are expected to announce their touring plans for the autumn in the coming weeks, with Irish dates anticipated as part of a broader European tour. CMAT is currently working on new material and is expected to release new music later in the year. Olivia Rodrigo's tour continues through the summer, and it is possible that she will add further Irish covers to her set as the tour progresses. The Irish music industry is watching with interest to see whether the Rodrigo endorsement translates into a sustained increase in international profile for both acts — and, more broadly, for Irish music as a whole.
