Irish Musician CMAT Brings Euro-Country Vibes to Coachella 2026

The rising star's politically charged performance and signature Irish dance moves captivate festival crowds.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:33pm

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A bold, abstract illustration featuring jagged geometric shapes in red, white, and black, conceptually representing the energy and political messaging of CMAT's Coachella 2026 performance.CMAT's politically charged Coachella performance brought Irish dance and country-pop fusion to the California desert.Los Angeles Today

Irish musician CMAT (Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson) brought her politically charged performance and signature Irish dance moves to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 10, 2026, taking the Gobi Stage as part of her global 'It's the Euro-Country Tour.' CMAT arrived at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, with politics on her mind and an Irish dance step for California, delivering a set that included songs from her latest album, 'Euro-Country,' which blends her Irish roots with country and pop influences.

Why it matters

CMAT's Coachella appearance highlights the growing presence of Irish music on global festival stages, as the rising star's politically charged performance and unique blend of genres captivated the audience. Her performance was part of a larger trend of Irish acts gaining international recognition at major U.S. festivals, showcasing the country's vibrant and diverse music scene.

The details

The performance was part of CMAT's global headline run, which began its main leg on November 14, 2025, in Nottingham's Rock City and spans Europe, Australia, and the United States through September 1, 2026. During her set, CMAT performed 'I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!' live on the Gobi Stage, a moment captured in a widely shared YouTube video that praised her characteristic blend of humor, storytelling, and musicality.

  • CMAT's Coachella appearance took place on April 10, 2026.
  • The 'It's the Euro-Country Tour' began its main leg on November 14, 2025, in Nottingham's Rock City and runs through September 1, 2026.

The players

CMAT

Also known as Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, CMAT is an Irish musician who brought her politically charged performance and signature Irish dance moves to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2026.

NewDad

An Irish band that performed alongside CMAT at Coachella 2026, highlighting the growing presence of Irish music on global festival stages.

Fancy Hagood

An artist who provided support on many of the UK dates of CMAT's 'It's the Euro-Country Tour.'

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What’s next

CMAT's 'It's the Euro-Country Tour' is scheduled to continue through September 1, 2026, with upcoming stops in major cities across Europe, Australia, and the United States.

The takeaway

CMAT's Coachella performance showcased the growing international recognition of Irish music, as the rising star's unique blend of genres and political messaging captivated the festival audience. Her appearance highlights the diversity and vibrancy of the Irish music scene and its increasing presence on global stages.