Dove Ellis is the performing name of Thomas O’Donoghue, a songwriter from Galway, Ireland, who now lives in Manchester, England, The Irish Times reported. The Connacht Tribune put his age at 22 and noted how rarely he gives interviews.
The sound
The Irish Times describes his music as “a swooping, stormy updating of the 1990s school of troubadour angst,” comparing him to Jeff Buckley and Damien Rice and his falsetto to Thom Yorke. NME also heard Buckley, with arrangements that recall Black Country, New Road.
Background
He has been active since 2022, playing DIY venues such as London’s Windmill. Before his album came out, he was the only support act on Geese’s 2025 North American tour, NME reported. He is signed to Black Butter and AMF Records.
The records
His debut album, Blizzard, came out Dec. 5, 2025. It has 10 tracks, and singles include “To the Sandals,” “Love Is” and “Pale Song.” Pigeons & Planes and The FADER both named him an artist to watch for 2026.
Why now
On July 30, 2026, Blizzard was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize, making him the 15th Irish act ever nominated, according to The Irish Times. The winner is announced Oct. 22 in Newcastle. On Nov. 13, War Child Records releases Live At Alexandra Palace Theatre, a 15-track live album with five unreleased songs, pressed as a double vinyl limited to 1,500 copies and not available on streaming, NME reported. His upcoming shows are in the UK and Europe, including London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Dec. 8.
Official links
Sources
- The Irish Times: Dove Ellis, the mysterious Irish artist on the Mercury shortlist
- The Irish Times: Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist
- Connacht Tribune: Dove makes waves
- NME: Dove Ellis, Blizzard review
- NME: Dove Ellis announces Live At Alexandra Palace Theatre
- Apple Music: Blizzard
- Pigeons & Planes: 26 Artists to Watch in 2026
- The FADER: Artists to watch 2026
