Known for his ferocious blend of experimental electronica, industrial beats and politically-charged punk, the Dublin native has carved out a reputation as one of Ireland’s most vital and uncompromising new artists. Streek’s live shows are already the stuff of legend, visceral, unflinching, and fuelled by a relentless drive to hold power to account.
Born and raised in Dublin into a working-class family of independent screen printers, Meryl Streek was immersed in punk from an early age. “My dad was an unbelievable drummer,” he reflects. “I grew up surrounded by bands like Crass and Rudimentary Peni. That was the beginning of it all for me.”
Following the death of several close family members and amid a worsening economic climate, Streek emigrated to Canada, an experience that would shape the foundations of his solo work. “I came back to Ireland fuelled to make a change,” he explains. “The way things are here, socially, economically, it just doesn’t work for ordinary people.”
Fuelled by this sense of injustice, Streek wrote and recorded his debut album “796” almost entirely in his Vancouver apartment, using little more than a microphone and a laptop. Released in November 2022, the record was named after the 796 children whose remains were discovered in a mass grave at the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, a powerful statement on Ireland’s dark institutional history.
Critically acclaimed for its raw power and unflinching subject matter, “796” became a rallying cry for those left behind by austerity and corruption. Louder’s Paul Brannigan hailed it as “the most incendiary and important punk rock album of the year.”
In under 12 months, Streek transformed from an underground curiosity playing DIY squats in Dublin to sharing the stage with John Lydon’s Public Image Ltd. in London. His explosive live performances, part spoken-word theatre, part sonic assault, have since taken him to stages across the UK and Europe, including headline tours and festival slots as far afield as Gran Canaria.
His 2023 single ‘Death to the Landlord’ quickly became a breakout anthem for housing rights and anti-oppression movements, cementing Streek’s place as the uncompromising conscience of Ireland’s underground.
Now, with his second album Songs for the Deceased, Streek digs even deeper. Recorded at Dublin’s Darklands Audio with producer Dan Doherty (Fontaines D.C.), the album continues his mission to speak truth to power, collaborating with guest artists like Benefits’ Kingsley Hall, Cal Graham of The Chisel, and noise-rock icon Oliver Ackermann (A Place to Bury Strangers).
Tracks range from the deeply personal, such as ‘Paddy’, a moving tribute to Streek’s late uncle, to the overtly political, with songs like ‘Bertie’ taking direct aim at former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Other highlights include ‘Stardust’, which honours the 48 victims of the 1981 nightclub tragedy, and ‘Gambling Death’, a blistering take on addiction and social neglect.
“This record is about betrayal, murder, injustice, and corruption,” says Streek. “It’s not just an Irish story, this is happening all over the world. We’re just expected to stay quiet. I won’t.”
Meryl Streek – The Academy, Dublin
📅 Wednesday, 17 December 2025
⏰ Doors: 7pm | 18+
🎟️ Tickets on sale Friday 13th June at 10am
💶 From €24.00 (inc. booking & venue facility fee) via Ticketmaster.ie
👉 Bookings subject to 12.5% service charge per ticket (max €10.50)
