High-flying Dea Matrona set for homecoming gig

High-flying Dea Matrona set for homecoming gig

17 May 2023

TWO local school friends who started their musical careers busking in Belfast are getting ready for a homecoming concert next month.

Orlaith Forsythe, from Dundrum, and Mollie McGinn, from Carryduff, grew up busking their favourite rock ‘n’ roll anthems on the streets of Belfast.

But they’ve left the mean streets behind them and gone on to perform in Europe and America as rock band Dea Matrona.

They’ve racked up over eight million views on YouTube and rubbed shoulders with rock royalty.

After a performance on RTE’s Late Late Show, their single, Make You My Star, reached No 1 on the UK and Ireland iTunes rock charts. A follow-up single, Stamp On It, also went to the top of the charts.

Dea Matrona won two awards at the 2021 Northern Ireland Music Awards for best single and ATL contender. They have supported Eagles of Death Metal on their European tour as well as Van Morrison, Feeder and the Black Eyed Peas.

They’ve appeared at a multitude of summer festivals, including Electric Picnic, Rock Werchter, Rock In The City and Retro C Trop, and also had a triumphant appearance at Trans Musicales Festival in France.

This year started with a bang, playing at the Eurosonic Festival in the Netherlands and a performance at the European Festival Awards.

They also headed out to Texas to play at SXSW Festival and supported Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett on his March tour of the UK and Ireland.

Now the girls are embarking on their first UK/IRE headline tour and with three shows already sold out it’s looking to be a great debut.

Their show in Belfast’s Mandela Hall takes place on Saturday, June 3, and for the girls, who are both 23, it’s like coming home.

Their friendship began at Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch and they started playing together in Belfast’s Victoria Square almost six years ago.

Said Orlaith: “We started busking simply because we wanted some pocket money at the weekend.

“Our parents wanted us out of the house. We never thought it would turn into all this.

“The last time we played in Belfast was last May and ever since then we’ve been touring non-stop. We’ve played in 11 countries so far.”

Orlaith said her friendship with Mollie was at the heart of their success.

“Our friendship has always been our main value and core. We are very supportive of each other and if either of us are concerned about anything, we’ve an incredible team around us.”

Looking forward to their latest tour, she added: “We’re delighted that three of the shows have already sold out.

“Our show in the Mandela Hall is going to be really special and our biggest home show ever. We can’t wait to see everyone there and to celebrate this great year.”

Tickets for the concert are available from Ticketmaster.ie.