Kodaline: Irish rock band to split after over a decade

Irish rock band Kodaline have announced they are splitting after more than a decade together.

The group, known for hits including All I Want and High Hopes, said they will record a fifth and final album before parting ways.

“We know this might come as a surprise and it’s definitely bittersweet for us too,” the group said in a video shared to Instagram.

“What we’ve shared with you has changed our lives forever.”

Originally known as 21 Demands, the Dublin-formed band adopted their current name in 2012 to coincide with a change in their music.

Under the new moniker, they released In A Perfect World in 2013, which went to number three in the UK and number one in Ireland.

The group – consisting of Steve Garrigan, Vincent May, Mark Prendergast and Jason Boland – also secured the attention of critics, landing a nomination for the MTV Brand New award for 2013 and were shortlisted for BBC’s Sound Of 2013.

Their follow-up albums, 2015’s Coming Up For Air and 2018’s Politics Of Living, continued their streak as they both went to number one in the Irish album charts, while their fourth album One Day At A Time reached number two in 2020.

Throughout their career, they entertained fans on numerous tours and played major stages including Glastonbury’s The Other Stage and Reading and Leeds Festival.

In their announcement video on Thursday, the group said: “From busking on the streets of Dublin, to playing shows across the world, it really has been the stuff that dreams are made of.

“We want it to end on a high, so before we say goodbye we’re heading into the studio one last time to record our fifth and final album as Kodaline.”

The group said they will be “forever grateful for the “love and support”.

“It’s been a journey that we’ll never forget and we hope the music stays with you long after we’re gone,” they added.