Live Report: Rebecca McRedmond on the Hot Press Lockdown Sessions’ Y&E Series

Earlier this year, folk singer Rebecca McRedmond shared her latest single, 'The Thorn And The Rose' – ahead of the release of her highly anticipated album, One Last Time.

Rebecca's excitement was palpable throughout her buoyant livestream, with assistance from her friend Raphael Dziubinski on percussions in the background as support. Expressing her delight at playing music for an audience again - even a virtual one - Rebecca explains that today is "the first day I haven't felt lost in a long time".

Starting off with a rousing cover of Mundy's track 'To You I Bestow', the County Offaly veteran folk singer's influence on McRedmond is clear from the get-go. The musician has previously supported Mundy, and used her version of his song as a nod to her inspiration. She puts her own spin on the track, making it unique to her sound while maintaining the best aspects of the song itself. Her next track is an original, and she suggests audience members who "don't have the balls to break up with someone" can use it as motivation. The lyrics of 'Separate Ways' touch on loving someone but still not wanting to be tied to them, and coping with regret. The theme of spreading your wings is a relatable one during the pandemic especially, when relationships are being tried and tested and freedoms are limited.

Her next performance is a poignant song written after the death of her close friend, Angela. 'Paper Cups and Strings' is a favourite of Rebecca's mother, and the words speak of grief and questioning the meaning of life and human connection. Thinking of her friend every day, the dreamy background chimes add a new dimension to the slow-tempo, dreamy pace of the beautiful song. McRedmond then delivers a cover of the popular 2013 Birdy indie hit 'Wings'.

The gorgeous song was written when Birdy was just 17-years-old, and features a narrator recalling her memories with a loved one. The musician plays another original song next - 'That's What They All Say'. With potentially the catchiest melody so far, McRedmond dedicates the song to Kevin May and describes the track as the aftermath of a break-up when you meet your former significant other once again. The uptempo song harks back to heartbreak and an unequal power dynamic - an accessible subject matter for sure. Finishing off her charismatic set filled with laughter and audience interaction with her new festive track, 'This Christmas'. Due to be released next week, the song is filled with chimes, Santa bells and warm lyrics about sending compassion to a faraway friend or family member who won't be home for the holidays. With many of us deeply missing a loved on on the other side of the world, McRedmond's latest song will connect with a wide range of her Irish fans.

Overall, her bubbly personality adds a new dimension to her live gigs, and McRedmond provided the perfect folk setlist of covers and original tracks for us. We can't wait to follow her music into the new year and beyond.

Watch the full Y&E Series performance from Rebecca McRedmond below:

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We're looking forward to continuing with further Y&E adventures in the New Year – and we'd like to extend a big thanks to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for all their support this year!

Watch Eiza Murphy tonight, December 8, as the final artist of this edition of the Hot Press Lockdown Sessions' Y&E Series, supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media – live on the Hot Press Instagram (@hotpressmagazine) at 7.30pm.

• To mark the end this phase of the Y&E Series, every single one of the artists who performed in the series will feature in a wrap-up in the Hot Press Annual, which officially hits the streets on Monday, December 14. To be sure to secure your copy, you can pre-order it now! With the Irish Women in Harmony featuring on the cover, we’ve arranged that 20% of all of the revenue from pre-sales of the annual will go to Childline – so buy early and buy often, and encourage everyone you know to do the same!