There are the new Rockabilly stars as well, of which Imelda May is undoubtedly the most successful. Born in Dublin, Imelda was raised on a diet of Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochrane and Gene Vincent. When she began her singing career at sixteen, it was in the city’s burlesque clubs, most of which she was too young to even be inside.

In 2006, Imelda started her first band, which caught the attention of Jools Holland, whom she supported on tour and appeared on his television show Later. Her debut album Love Tattoo (2009) did incredibly well – reaching the top of the Irish Album Charts and going on to sell triple platinum – making Imelda the first Irish female artist to reach number one for twenty years. Her new album Mayhem, released in September of this year, slammed straight into the top spot, an astounding feat for any artist, but for one playing a supposedly “minority interest” music style like rockabilly, it is a rare achievement.

Imelda and her band, whose collective CV reads like a who’s who of rock ‘n’ roll talent, have been touring extensively for the last few years—in 2010 alone they took in festivals Glastonbury, T in the Park, WOMAD and Electric Picnic. Imelda’s incredible voice has won her accolades from the likes of guitar-legend Jeff Beck, who invited her to perform with him at this year’s Grammy Awards.

You don’t have to be a Rockabilly aficionado to appreciate Imelda May. She’s a great performer with a really exciting band who create such a party onstage that you just want to get up there with them.

Roger C is resident DJ of The Joint Sessions (Dos Trece, C/ Carme 40)