A multi-platinum group which originally formed in college when the members were just 15 years old, can now claim to have met and supported Paul McCartney, supported Bruce Springsteen in Hyde Park, played for President Biden, and have made chart history as the only independent Irish band to claim three consecutive chart-topping albums, The Coronas have also previously been voted as the #1 Live Act of the Year by Hot Press. The Coronas are certainly not ones to rest on their laurels, consistently evolving their melancholic pop, singalong-worthy anthems and cinematic indie rock creations; whilst thriving against the odds even despite the unfortunately named virus that momentarily halted the world. Off the back of the pandemic years and releasing their 2022 album, Time Stopped, The Coronas embarked on their biggest world tour to date, christening their seventh full length album – selling out venues in London, New York and Vancouver, as well as a sold out performance at Sydney’s Metro Theatre.
The Coronas return to Australia on November 10 and to discuss the tour and band’s career, Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips caught up with The Coronas frontman Danny O’Reilly for a chat.
MORE ABOUT THE CORONAS
Meeting as students at Terenure College in Ireland, the band was initially known as ‘Kiros’, but changed its name and line-up three years later to ‘Corona’. When the Italian dance act Corona re-emerged, the band changed their name again, to ‘The Coronas’. The band’s debut album, Heroes or Ghosts, was released on the 5th of October 2007, debuting at no. 21 in the Irish album charts.
The band has appeared on RTE’s The Cafe, TV3’s event guide, Channel 6’s Popscene and numerous radio shows.
The Coronas return armed with a new single; an as yet previously unheard song One Last Time, which was recorded in 2009 when the band were just getting going. With sweeping strings, acoustic guitar and the magnetic vocal stylings of Danny O’Reilly, One Last Time also heralds the upcoming release of The Best Of The Early Days; an album that celebrates the early back catalogue of The Coronas, due out November 24, alongside the band’s return down under the very same month. Lined up to charm Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne alongside special guest Roison O, both the upcoming Coronas album and tour are guaranteed to continue the trio’s reputation as one of the most consistent and impressive acts on the scene.
One Last Time fittingly closes out The Coronas The Best Of The Early Days on an emotional and delectably lush note. Inspired by the likes of The National, Gang Of Youths, Radiohead, Oasis, Coldplay, The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac; One Last Time is an acoustic wonderland that simultaneously uplifts and breaks your heart. With The Coronas detailing deep emotions in this previously unreleased track, as the band elaborates; “We’re delighted to be releasing this album. It’s something that we’ve been planning for a while. It’s a collection of songs from our first three albums. When we remembered One Last Time, an unreleased song from this time that we always loved, it seemed right to add it to the album as a bonus single. It’s a breakup song that describes the tricky time just after a relationship ends, where you meet up and there’s so much emotion and feelings still there. And spending that time together.”
Now set to return to Australia this November to perform at some of the country’s most iconic venues, also armed with some fresh magic with the impending November release of The Best Of The Early Days, there’s plenty to look forward to as 2023 draws to a close – both for The Coronas and fans alike, as the band concludes; “Our last show in Sydney was pretty special. To sell out a venue the size of the Metro Theatre, with all its history, was an amazing moment for us. In the past we’ve tended to just be there for short visits but it’s great that this time we’ll have a few days off in Sydney where we can enjoy a bit of downtime! We always try to put on an energetic live show. Expect big choruses, sing-along moments and fun times!”
One Last Time is out now. The Best Of The Early Days is due out November 24.
THE CORONAS – AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES:
FRI 10 NOV | THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE
Tickets available from moshtix.com.au
SAT 11 NOV | THE ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY
Tickets available from ticketek.com.au
FRI 17 NOV | BADLANDS, PERTH
Tickets available from oztix.com.au
SAT 18 NOV | NORTHCOTE THEATRE, MELBOURNE
Tickets available from moshtix.com.au
