Declan McKenna

Born in Enfield and raised in Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, Declan McKenna rose to prominence in the mid-2010s with a pop-rock songwriting that early on turned toward social and political issues. His first notable track, Brazil, self-released in 2015, already established a blend of indie rock, indie pop and alt-rock, carried by direct melodies, nerve-filled choruses and a frontal lyrical approach. Following his win at Glastonbury's Emerging Talent competition in 2015, Declan McKenna went on to play British festivals, first dates in North America and releases of singles such as Paracetamol, Bethlehem or Isombard, before publishing What Do You Think About the Car? in 2017, produced by James Ford. His music then evolved toward a broader palette of glam rock, dream pop, and neo-psychedelic on Zeros in 2020, where guitars took on a wider and more theatrical color, without losing the pop format. With What Happened to the Beach? in 2024, Declan McKenna continues this shift toward more flexible, brighter and more textured songwriting. On stage, he performs with a band, in circuits ranging from clubs to major international festivals such as Glastonbury, Coachella or Lollapalooza. This trajectory is also accompanied by occasional collaborations, notably with Orla Gartland, while McKenna opened a new independent phase by launching his own label in 2024.