She’s been called “a preposterously fun pop star who will surely be massive” - and for many, that moment has arrived. 

From a viral TikTok dance challenge to a headline-grabbing Glastonbury performance, CMAT is the name on everyone’s lips this summer. This weekend, she’s back on home soil for a major set at All Together Now in Curraghmore, Co. Waterford. 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty dives deep into the world of Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson — aka CMAT — with two people who know her work best: broadcaster and superfan Áine Kerr, and Molly King from Other Voices, one of the first to showcase CMAT’s unique talent on Irish TV. 

The conversation explores the evolution of CMAT’s music - part country-pop, part political confessional - her viral rise on TikTok with the “Woke Macarena”, her bold stance on body image and Irish identity, and the controversy surrounding her new single “Euro-Country.” We also unpack the deeper themes behind her lyrics, including personal reflections on the Irish economic crash and its mental health legacy. 

With her latest single taking aim at former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and a third album on the way, CMAT is proving that pop music can still pack a punch — and speak truth to power. 

If you're heading to All Together Now this weekend, make sure to catch CMAT live — and visit the Go Loud Lounge, where Newstalk will be hosting games, interviews and pop-up shows all weekend long. 

👉 Find out more about Newstalk at All Together Now 

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