Belfast rock duo Dea Matrona announce a headline show at The Academy, Dublin

Danny Joyce | Editor
1 day ago
4 min read

Irish rock powerhouse Dea Matrona return stronger and more assured with their second studio album ‘Hate That I Care,’ following the release of its electrifying title track back in March.

Recorded, produced and written entirely by the band, the album marks a bold and self-assured step forward for Mollie McGinn and Orláith Forsythe. Leaning further into alt-rock, ‘Hate That I Care’ showcases a sharper, more confident sound while retaining the raw energy that has defined the duo from the start. While traces of their influences remain, the band have evolved and pushed their sound into new territory on their sophomore album.

The title track sets the tone for the album, it’s urgent yet reflective, hook-filled and unapologetically intense. It’s a bold declaration from a band unafraid to confront their emotions and speak candidly about personal struggles. The band shares:

"When we weren’t touring, I fell into a nocturnal routine and became disconnected from many of the people I care about. ‘Hate That I Care’ (the title track) is written to myself rather than anyone else, capturing the exhaustion that comes from masking emotions and trying to be present in a way that feels genuine." – Mollie

Across the record, Dea Matrona confronts assumptions, expectations and the chaos of self-discovery with striking honesty. The new album is more personal and shows a band more aware of the world around them than ever before, the record explores the tension between external pressure and inner truth, there’s a rawness, a vulnerability and there’s a new depth to the production that elevates their already formidable sound. This is Dea Matrona entering a new chapter, deliberate and fully realised.

Reflecting on the album, the band said:

"People have always tried to assume who we are; both musically and personally. Our second album ‘Hate That I Care’ is a response to that: it’s more personal, more honest, and more aware of the world around us than anything we’ve made before. It reflects a pressure to show up louder than we naturally are and a feeling of not really fitting in. Making this album made us realise how similarly we deal with things by turning inward, keeping busy, and processing all our feelings through writing songs that embrace our own values. " – Orláith

Dea Matrona’s rise has been fuelled by authenticity, the duo self-released their debut album, which broke into the Top 10 indie charts, they have grown a devoted fanbase through non-stop touring and unforgettable festival shows. They have always forged their own path, defying expectations and staying true to their creative vision and that continues with the new album ‘Hate That I Care.’

Fresh from touring with Canadian rock favourites The Beaches where press noted that “They remain a band to be paying attention to.” From busking on the streets of Belfast to commanding stages at Reading and Leeds Festivals, Electric Picnic and Rock Werchter, their ascent has been nothing short of meteoric. This summer, they’ll take another giant leap forward as they join Sting on tour, bringing their fierce new era to even bigger stages.''

With ‘Hate That I Care’, Dea Matrona don’t just return, they erupt. And they’re only just getting started.

HATE THAT I CARE TRACKLIST

1. Hate That I Care

2. My Own Party

3. A Rebel Song

4. Aisling

5. John Doe

6. Wait

7. Magic Spell

8. Summer Rain

9. Siren Song

10. Told U I’m Strange

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

Wed 17 Jun 2026 — Zagreb, Croatia — Arena Zagreb
Thu 18 Jun 2026 Budapest, Hungary — MVM Dome
Sat 20 Jun-26 — Newport, UK — Isle of Wight Festival
Tue 23 Jun 2026 — Vilnius, Lithuania — Kalnų parkas
Wed 24 Jun 2026 — Sopot, Poland — Forest Opera
Fri 26 Jun-2026 — Spain — BBK Bilbao Music Legends Festival
Fri 03 Jul-2026 — Manchester, UK — THE K'S: Castlefield Bowl
Mon 6 Jul 2026 — Nîmes, France — Festival de Nîmes 2026
Sun 12 Jul 2026 — Chiclana De La Frontera, Spain — Concert Music Festival
Mon 13 Jul 2026 — Fuengirola, Spain — Marenostrum Fuengirola
Wed 15 Jul 2026 — Granada, Spain — Plaza De Toros De Granada
Fri 17 Jul 2026 — Figueira Da Foz, Portugal — RFM Somnii
Sat 18 Jul 2026 — Sevilla, Spain — Icónica Sevilla Fest 2026
Mon 20 Jul 2026 — Marciac, France — Jazz in Marciac
Fri 24 Jul 2026 — Emo Village, County Laois, Ireland — Forest Fest
Sun 26 Jul 2026 — Arc-et-Senans, France — Saline Royale d'Arc-et-Senans
Tue 28 Jul 2026 — Vienne, France — Les concerts de l’été
Thu 30 Jul – Sun 2 Aug 2026 — Derbyshire, United Kingdom — Y Not Festival 2026
Thu 30 Jul – Sun 2 Aug 2026 — Lowther, United Kingdom — Kendal Calling 2026
Sun 09 Aug 2026 — Sant Feliu de Guixols, Girona, Spain — THE CORRS: Porta Ferrada
Sat 29 Aug 2026 — Belfast, UK — WOLF ALICE: Custom Square House
Sun 22 Nov 2026 — Leeds, UK — Wardrobe
Mon 23 Nov 2026 — London, UK — Islington Assembly Hall
Tue 24 Nov 2026 — Bristol, UK —Thekla
Thu 26 Nov 2026 —Glasgow, UK — SWG3 Warehouse
Fri 27 Nov 2026 — Manchester, UK — The Locker - New Century Hall
Sat 28 Nov 2026 — Dublin, Ireland — The Academy, Dublin