Kenan Flannery
“The Essence of Folk Music in its rawest and most authentic form”
Praised for writing “bone-breakingly beautiful” music, Kenan Flannery is a 27-year-old, Irish Youth Music award-winning folk songwriter from Dublin, Ireland. At his core, Kenan is a storyteller for the damned and the broken, crafting heart-wrenching stories delivered with a “voice that hits with the intensity of a hundred Irish poets”. He masterfully weaves his upbringing in Irish ballad music, inspired by legends like The Dubliners, with a deep-found love for American roots music. Which has caused him to be compared to songwriting titans such as John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, and Blaze Foley.
Kenan’s rise through the Irish music scene has been marked by performances on some of Ireland’s biggest stages. In 2022, he graced the National Stadium and the world-renowned Ruby Sessions, following in the footsteps of artists like Ed Sheeran and Damien Rice. His reputation as a larger than life live act gained him the opportunity to open up for The Wolfe Tones before a crowd of 2,000 and supporting Gravedancer on his debut Irish tour. By 2023, he was frequently seen on the Irish festival circuit, sharing stages at Electric Picnic and The Secret Song in west Cork with the likes of Lisa Hannigan, Ye Vagabonds, and Junior Brother.
The last two and a half years have seen Flannery evolve into a true international troubadour, touring Europe and the UK with the likes of Willy Tea Taylor, Colm Gavin & Gravedancer. While on the Irish front, being hand-picked by MCD to open for The White Buffalo and John R Miller, showing his ability to captivate audiences ranging from intimate clubs to major venues. His performances are often described as one-of-a-kind experiences, intimate and emotional storytelling that leaves audiences laughing, crying, and singing.
Most recently, Kenan released a live BBC session on all streaming platforms titled, “Baby Tonight (BBC Live Session)”. With a debut full-band studio album scheduled for the end of 2026, a live album coming out on April 19th 2026 and a headline show presented by MCD Productions on the 17th of April 2026 in the Cobblestone in Dublin. Kenan Flannery has firmly established himself as one of the most unique storytellers in the Irish and international folk scene today.
“The master of meaningful lyrics”. - Noel Murphy, Noely's Naughty Nightly Nitpick
“Kenan is a captivating artist, not only does he pour his heart and soul into his engaging, original songs, he enthrals the listener with his pure raw passion, guitar playing, and heavy hitting vocal accompaniment.” - Gavin James Breere, Nerano Music Sessions
“Quality writing with raw emotion.” - Doug Green, New York Live Promotions
