Calum Agnew, VIXI, Bring Back June [BIMM Institute Showcase]

at Aloft City WXYZ Rooftop Bar

Ease into the evening with a soulful and genre-blending showcase at Aloft Dublin City Hotel on Friday 8 May from 6pm–8pm. Part of the BIMM Dublin showcase series, this early evening session brings together three exciting emerging acts, each offering a distinct sound and atmosphere.

Calum Agnew, one of Ireland’s most talked-about new soul-pop artists, leads the line-up with his smooth vocals and jazz-tinged pop sensibility, fresh from the release of his debut EP Bad Boy.

Joining him is VIXI, a five-piece alt rock–jazz fusion band whose haunting vocals and layered arrangements explore themes of love, identity and inner conflict.
Opening the evening, Bring Back June deliver a more stripped-back folk-jazz sound, with soft vocals and melodic guitar creating an intimate and inviting tone.

A perfect early evening entry point into Late in D8, this is a chance to discover new music in a relaxed, atmospheric setting in the heart of Dublin 8.

Saturday 9 May 6pm - 8pm

Free Event, No Booking Required

Calum Agnew is one of Ireland’s most exciting emerging soul-pop artists and was recently named an Irish Times Ones to Watch for 2026. He released his hotly anticipated debut EP Bad Boy in February alongside a sold-out headline show at The Grand Social.

Bursting onto the scene in 2024, Agnew quickly gained momentum, achieving over 1,000 radio plays and 6 million radio impacts before even releasing his debut EP. Across just three singles in 2025 he reached #2 on the Irish Breakers Chart and toured extensively across Ireland, performing at major festivals including Electric Picnic, All Together Now and Beyond the Pale, Stendhal, as well as sold out headline shows such as Whelan’s Upstairs and playing packed sets in Whelan’s Main Room.Agnew has supported acclaimed artists including Tolu Makay, Shobsy, Róisín Ó, SexyTadhg, Sam Wills, Curtis Harding and Jessica Doolan (London and Dublin). He was also selected as one of the faces of Culture Night 2025, appearing live on Virgin Media’s Six O’Clock Show.

Agnew is carving out a chic, soul-infused space in Ireland’s music scene. With a seductive vocal tone and a gift for weaving irresistibly catchy pop melodies through soulful, jazz-leaning arrangements, his sound draws comparisons to Amy Winehouse, Joy Crookes, Olivia Dean and RAYE, while remaining unmistakably his own.

"Bad Boy" 5 track EP was recorded in Camden Recording Studios, with Philip Magee and Cian Boylan. Agnew brings a mischievous, mod-meets-modern energy that has quickly made him one of the most compelling new voices in Irish music.

His music has received extensive national airplay and press support, with coverage across outlets including Notion, Earmilk, The Irish Times, Hot Press, District Magazine, GoldenPlec, Nialler9, The Goo, Genuine Irish and Pure M.

Upcoming gigs: Croílar, Forbidden Fruit, Momentum, All Together Now, Electric Picnic.

VIXI is a five piece female fronted alt rock- jazz fusion band. Debuting in August 2025 in a packed Whelan's and gaining steady momentum in the Dublin music scene since, VIXI takes influence from The Cranberries, Boa and other alternative rock legends. With haunting vocals and mesmerising arrangements, the band tells a story of personal and poetic struggles with religion, love and hate.

Bring Back June are a dynamic two piece new on the scene. Playing folk jazz, the soft vocals and melodious guitar compliments each other for a relaxed but enticing performance.

The BIMM Music Trail is brought to you by Dublin City Council’s Night-Time Economy Advisor, Ray O'Donoghue, in association with BIMM Dublin Creative Futures, and presented by CWB Management, supporting the next generation of Irish music.