The Rise of Riseup! Soundsystem

The RiseUp! Soundsystem was born out of two things:

a need for high quality sound with a bass rumble to fire up the dance; and a strong respect for soundsystem culture and craft.

Operated by Jonezy, the RiseUp! Soundsystem has its origins in the club night of the same name, which brought the highest profile names in bass music to Cork such as Mala, Loefah, DBridge, DjRum and Objekt.

RiseUp! helped lay the foundations of the underground scene there today.

A reggae-head since he was a kid, Jonezy always had an interest in soundsystem culture and wanted to build his own.

So in 2012, the research began and by 2014 the first Riseup! Sound speakerboxes were being cut from Scandinavian birch ply with support from Jonezy’s Dad (Tom Jones) – a trained chippy.

RiseUp! Sound has truly made a name for itself as a powerhouse in the Irish music scene. Since its inception in 2016, the soundsystem has consistently delivered at gigs and festivals, but 2024 marks a significant milestone in its journey. Having gained widespread recognition, RiseUp! Sound is now one of Ireland’s most highly regarded soundsystems.

Its presence at major events like Electric Picnic, Open Ear, Another Love Story, and the legendary Dame Street Culture Night Street Party showcases its versatility and ability to captivate diverse audiences.

This breakout year cements its reputation not only as a fixture in the Irish festival circuit but also as a vital force in Ireland’s cultural and music scene.

Today it comprises 6 bins, 6 mids and 4 tops, with a total rated output of 16kW with more to be added before the 2025 festival season kicks off.