Live Report: Alex Tierney performs emotional acoustic set on the Y&E Series

Dublin based singer-songwriter Alex Tierney brought his emotion-driven ballads to last night's live performance on the Y&E Series.

Blending elements of R&B and hip-hop production with folk and pop-oriented songwriting sensibilities, Tierney has emerged as a compelling new force in Irish music. Before he had officially released any music, the young artist opened for Lewis Capaldi at the Olympia Theatre in 2019. Since then, he’s put out a selection of acclaimed singles, including his latest, ‘I’m Fine’, earlier this month.

He opens the set set with 'Over the Maybes', his first official release. The doleful slow-jam gave us time to appreciate the expressive lyrics and voice behind them.

While this may have been his first single in 2020, Tierney has been playing guitar since he was around seven years old. There are apparently several albums worth of songs that have not yet been publicly revealed. “I never wanted to be in a cover band or anything like that," he says on his craft, "It’s never been just about, like, 'I love performing'. Nah, I love making something."

He follows up with singles 'Painkiller' and 'Settle For (21)'. These acoustic versions are worlds apart from the studio tracks and their clean R&B effects. With only an acoustic guitar at his side, the singers slows down the beat and concentrates all the emotion into the words.

He treats us to two unreleased songs: 'How Could I Let You Go' and 'Dreaming'. Tierney tells us to stay posted as he hopes to have them and several others out soon.

The musician concludes his set with his most recent release, 'I'm Fine'. He moves to the piano to deliver his most honest song, finishing off a powerful performance on the Y&E Series.

Watch the Hot Press Y&E Series – supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media – live on the Hot Press Instagram (@hotpressmagazine) at 7pm each night.

 

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