WEXFORD rock legends Cry Before Dawn are back with their first new material in 14 years — and fans won’t have long to wait. The band’s new EP ‘Open Water’ lands this week on Friday August 1. The band will follow up with a live date at Dolans this Saturday August 2.
Following on from their recent successful single ‘Open Water’ Cry Before Dawn released a new single ‘Peace and Freedom’. The single is a second taste of what fans can expect from the band’s new EP.
Formed in Wexford in 1982, Cry Before Dawn carved out a unique place in Irish rock with their blend of guitar-driven power and the stirring sounds of traditional Irish pipes and whistles. The result? A dynamic, unmistakably Irish sound that saw them rise to the top of the charts and into the hearts of audiences at home and abroad.
The band’s heyday saw them earn two double platinum albums, along with national acclaim — including Best Newcomer at the 1987 Irish music awards, and Best Irish Group in 1989.
Known for their passionate and high-energy live shows, Cry Before Dawn built a loyal following through relentless touring across Ireland, the UK, and the USA, including two sold-out headline shows at Ireland’s National Stadium.
After a hiatus, the band reunited in 2011, releasing a Best Of collection, the single ‘Is This What You Waited For’, and the live album Live at the Opera House. The comeback sparked a new wave of tours and festival appearances, with fans and critics alike celebrating their return.
More recently, Cry Before Dawn’s 2023 return to the live circuit saw them wow crowds at major festivals and sell-out headline gigs across Ireland. Their 2024 tour continued the momentum, including packed-out shows at Wexford Spiegeltent and Whelan’s in Dublin, cementing their reputation as one of Ireland’s most electrifying live acts.
Appearances at international festivals like Forest Fest and Night & Day only further confirmed their enduring appeal.
Now, as part of their 2025 Irish tour, Cry Before Dawn have been back in the studio recording their first new material in over a decade.
Produced by Grammy-nominated duo Chris O’Brien and Graham Murphy at The Production Suite in Dublin, Open Water promises to be a bold new chapter for the band.
Expect a powerful fusion of their signature sound with fresh energy — and don’t miss the chance to catch them live this summer.
