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On The Pulse

CUPRA's On The Pulse 2026 is now closed. Thank you to all our entrants. 

ABOUT

  
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CONCEPT

‘On The Pulse’ is CUPRA’s talent discovery programme, created to spotlight emerging music artists across the Republic of Ireland and deliver new, standout experiences for fans.

 

The initiative is designed to elevate and nurture Ireland’s rising talent, giving up‑and‑coming artists a high‑visibility platform to grow their fanbase and develop their artistic careers.

 

Aspiring artists can submit a 45‑minute mix to showcase their skills, with five finalists selected to perform at a live final in Dublin City Centre. The overall winner secures a peak time slot at the Beyond the Pale Music & Arts Festival in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, along with a €2,500 cash prize to support their creative development.

PRIZE

  • Perform a peak-time DJ Set at Beyond The Pale 2026
  • €2,500 Cash Prize for Artist Development

 

Appications are now closed. 

  

  

Criteria to enter

  
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • Entrants must be residents of the Republic of Ireland.
  • Entrants must be aged 18 or over.
  • Entrants must not have previously performed at any Irish music festival.
  • Entries are welcome from all styles of electronic music. Judges will, however, consider alignment with the genre and style typically featured at Beyond The Pale Festival.
  • Entry mixes must be submitted in mp3 format at 320kbps.
  • Mixes must not exceed 45 minutes and must be submitted via a SoundCloud link (public or hidden).
  • If shortlisted, finalists are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel to the live final in Dublin City Centre, and to Beyond The Pale Festival should they win.
  • A complete and fully submitted application is required for successful entry.

JUDGING

  • Applications will be reviewed by a panel of industry professionals, including a representative from Beyond The Pale.
  • The competition closed on 31 March 2026.
  • We welcome artists from across the Republic of Ireland and strongly encourage applications from minority groups and individuals who are underrepresented within the industry.

  

  
Download T&Cs
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Prize

Once applications close, five finalists will be selected to perform at the live final in Dublin City.
 

The winner will be awarded a peak-time performance slot at Beyond The Pale Music & Arts Festival 2026, along with a €2,500 cash prize to support their artistic development.

On The Pulse: Winners

DJ Lana Hayes, On The Pulse finalist, seated outdoors against rocky boulders

LANA HAYES: 2026 WINNER

With an ear for high energy selections and an experimental approach behind the decks Lana Hayes has been making serious waves throughout the Irish scene over the last year and a half.

 

Lana doesn’t tie herself down to one genre but focuses on mainly bass heavy, breaky rhythms alongside electro, techno, dub and whatever else she feels like throwing in. Lana likes to test the boundaries of genres and sounds and believes in creating a unique experience for the listener.
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Kiva: 2025 Winner

Kiva is from Dundalk and new to the scene in Dublin. Inspired by doof culture after living in Melbourne for years, she brought home skills in mixing breaks, trance, electro and progressive sounds. She incorporates hypnotic techno throughout her sets to create a meditative space for music exploration. 
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Cian Bolger: 2024 Winner

Specializing in visual media, photography, and music videos, Cian began DJing for fun during the COVID-19 pandemic and played his first gig in 2021.

Over the past three years, he has performed in various clubs around Dublin, showcasing his talent and passion for music. Additionally, he co-runs a collective called Lips2Ears with two others, dedicated to showcasing Irish musical talent.

On The Pulse: 2026 Finalists

DJ Sh3goh, On The Pulse finalist, in an urban doorway at night

Sh3goh

Sh3goh is an up-and-coming DJ based in Dublin, all about high-energy sets that keep people moving from start to finish. Playing a mix of hardgroove, groove, and bouncy techno—anything with rhythm, bounce, and a bit of attitude.

Drawn to the raw, driving side of techno, but keeps things fun and dynamic too. Her sets usually build with rolling basslines, punchy percussion, and tracks that just hit right in a club setting. Constantly digging for new sounds and finding ways to keep my mixes fresh while staying true to the energy that she loves.
DJ RARO, On The Pulse finalist, standing in a garden setting

RARO

RARO is a Dublin-based DJ, raised between Lagos and Cork, who is steadily carving out space across Ireland's club and radio landscape. Rooted in the groove-led rhythms and textures of hypnotic techno and inspired by the underground scenes across mainland Europe and Latin America, her sets are fluid, playful and focused on one mission: to make people dance.

Drawing on global rhythms and influences from her diasporic upbringing, RARO channels a sound that is deeply connected to the cultures and communities that shape the dancefloor. With an ever-evolving sound and the ability to create sets which flow with the energy of each crowd, she stands as a rising force in Ireland's vibrant electronic scene.
DJ Hallster, On The Pulse finalist, standing against a dark green metal shutter

Hallster

Hallster is a 22-year-old DJ from Sligo with five years behind the decks, playing across Sligo, Dublin, and Galway, and having had the chance to support acts like DJ Love, FJAAK and more. His sound sits in hardgroove where he pulls from both older and newer sounds to keep things raw and driving. He is also involved in running nights through the ATU Sligo DJ Society and his own collective, SubStrukt, putting on events and helping grow the scene in Sligo Town. 
DJ BASIK, On The Pulse finalist, standing in front of a graffiti mural

BASIK

BASIK is known for high-energy house and hard house sets that seamlessly blend uplifting grooves and punchy basslines. With a style that balances feel-good moments with harder club influences, his sets are built to keep dancefloors moving from start to finish.

Focused purely on atmosphere and connection on the dancefloor, BASIK delivers modern house sets with a raw, energetic edge every time he steps behind the decks.
DJ Lana Hayes, On The Pulse finalist, seated outdoors against rocky boulders

Lana Hayes

With an ear for high energy selections and an experimental approach behind the decks Lana Hayes has been making serious waves throughout the Irish scene over the last year and a half.

Lana doesn’t tie herself down to one genre but focuses on mainly bass heavy, breaky rhythms alongside electro, techno, dub and whatever else she feels like throwing in. Lana likes to test the boundaries of genres and sounds and believes in creating a unique experience for the listener.

The JUDGES

Efa O'Neill

DJ and Founder of 'Out of Space' - a Party and Radio Show on Dublin Digital Radio.
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Efa O'Neill is an Irish DJ known for her eclectic sets that seamlessly blend a range of genres and tempos, crafting atmospheric dance floor moments. A prominent figure in the Irish and dance music scene, she has performed at renowned venues and festivals across Ireland and Europe. 
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Aero (Max Heyraud)

Writer for Four Four Magazine, DJ & Producer
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Hailing from Dublin, Aero has rapidly established himself as one of Ireland’s most vital techno artists, carving out a distinct identity grounded in the ethos of purist techno. Supported by figures such as Amelie Lens, Freddy K, and Richie Hawtin, Aero’s music speaks to both the genre’s roots and its forward trajectory.

As a DJ, Aero’s adaptability is his hallmark. Whether commanding a warehouse with relentless multi-deck intensity or carefully calibrating selections for an opening set in a low-lit basement, his control of atmosphere and energy is what sets him apart. With an extensive knowledge of techno’s past and present, Aero is as much a selector as he is a craftsman, positioning himself at the forefront of Ireland’s contemporary techno scene.
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January Winters

DJ & Broadcaster - BBC Radio 1
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January Winters has established herself as one of Ireland's most sought-after DJs, captivating audiences with her energetic sets and infectious vivacity. With a track record of delivering memorable performances at renowned venues such as The Button Factory, Index, All Together Now Festival, Forbidden Fruit Festival, Pygmalion, Sea Sessions, and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Liverpool. 

 

As a skilled selector, January has secured residencies at some of Ireland's best clubs and bars, and has had the pleasure of playing supporting and closing sets for acclaimed artists such as Barry Can’t Swim, Jungle, Maribou State, Eliza Rose, TSHA, Jayda G, Folamour, Dan Shake, and DJ Boring among others.

Beyond the DJ booth,  her eclectic taste and infectious energy has made her a standout voice in the industry. For several years, she presented on Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ 2FM. In 2024, she was selected as one of BBC Radio 1’s Christmas Presenters, landing a coveted slot hosting the station’s flagship New Music Show. She has since presented on BBC Radio 1 Dance, hosted live DJ sets and performed at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Liverpool, further cementing her reputation as a tastemaker with a deep connection to music across genres and scenes.
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Ste Flynn

DJ, Producer, and Resident for Melodic Dublin - Representative from Beyond The Pale
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A Progressive & Melodic House Producer/DJ hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Ste Flynn is a resident DJ at Melodic Dublin. His sound has brought him from clubs & festivals across Ireland to the main room of Kater Blau and Renate in Berlin, as well as sharing the stage with influential artists such as Sasha, John Digweed, Guy J, Lee Burridge, Nick Warren, Âme, Max Cooper and many more.

Ste has released music on labels such as Balkan Connection, IN2U and RF Trax with support from artists including Nick Warren, Antrim and more. The rich melodies in his music are influenced by a variety of artists ranging from Aphex Twin to Boards of Canada to Guy J. As a hardware enthusiast, he likes to experiment with machines by producing different genres, from crafting Hip Hop samples to 909/303 Detroit sequencing to Progressive House chords & melodies.
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Applications are now closed

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Applications Closed

Appications are now closed. 

Beyond The Pale Festival

See the 2026 lineup, buy tickets, and explore more on Beyond The Pale’s official website.
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