The 502s

Orlando-born folk outfit The 502s play Cyprus Avenue in Cork on 31 August 2026. Formed in the mid-2010s, the band writes rhythmic songs that sit between indie folk, Americana and pop, built on stacked harmonies, choral refrains and an acoustic palette where banjo, mandolin, piano, brass and percussion cross paths. On stage, they perform as a tight-knit unit, leaning on singalong hooks and collective momentum.

Rooted in American folk traditions but open to contemporary pop, their sound brushes past country and bluegrass without locking in one style. After early releases, The 502s put out Because We Had To in 2020 and Could It Get Better Than This? in 2023, two albums that extended their chorus-forward writing and energetic tempos. Tracks like Just a Little While broadened their audience in the early 2020s, while regular appearances in clubs and festivals shaped a set that moves from uptempo stompers to gentler mid-tempo tunes, with horn lines and group vocals setting the tone.