Tadhg Williams brought his personal brand of storytelling indie folk to Hot Press' Instagram Sunday night.

He wasted no time getting started, only offering a brief introduction that he was a proud Waterford man despite performing from a Dublin 8 living room. This was no secret to us given his interview with Hot Press in February.

Priding himself on his storytelling abilities, this skill came to the forefront on his opener 'The Endgame', which started his brilliant set. Detailing a tale about the end of a relationship, the song offered a bittersweet feeling as the lyrics were juxtaposed with uplifting instrumentals from Williams' acoustic guitar.

After reminding viewers of his upcoming show in Waterford, he mentioned how, like other musicians, he can't wait to play in front of a live audience in person. Again he flexed one of the core elements of songwriting on his next song, 'Frank Edward' - which tells the tale of a real-life historical figure from Waterford who fought in the Spanish Civil War for the Republican side of the conflict against General Franco.

Taking out his electric guitar for a few tunes, Williams shined on a brilliant song written about the murder and baby homes scandal and how his relationship to faith changed as a result. The chorus, "Oh my God and oh my soul/Gone thank God is the faith of old", evocatively showed his feelings on the matter.

Williams finished off his performance with the set's highlight, a rendition of his most recent single, 'Summer Song'. The melancholic tune was a great ending, showing off what fans can look forward to when they see him in person again.

Tadhg Williams will play The Theatre Royal in Waterford on September 10, with tickets available here. Revisit his Y&E Series performance below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hot Press (@hotpressmagazine)

The Hot Press Y&E Series is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Watch the performances every night on the Hot Press Instagram (@hotpressmagazine) at 7.30pm.

Up next on the Y&E Series:

Monday, August 30: SARA RYAN

Originally hailing from Newbridge, Co. Kildare, and currently based in Cork City, Sara Ryan has spent recent years crafting her own unique blend of folk, soul and pop. Since the release of her acclaimed debut single, 'Belle', in 2016, the singer-songwriter has been crowned 'New Artist of the Year' at the Irish Folk Music Awards, and has brought her stunning live show to international audiences – while earning praise from the likes of Christy Moore. In November 2019, Sara released her debut album, Breathe, which powerfully showcased the depth of her artistic vision. Next year, you can look forward to a highly anticipated new body of work, immersed in electronic pop.

Tuesday, August 31: ROBERT JOHN ARDIFF

Initially rising to prominence as a member of the Choice Music Prize-nominated band Come On Live Long, Robert John Ardiff has since enjoyed serious critical acclaim as a solo artist – clocking up millions of views on Spotify. The Dublin singer-songwriter has toured extensively around Ireland, as well as playing shows in Europe, the UK and the US. He released his acclaimed second album, The Corridors of Love, earlier this year. 'Tightrope Walker', one of the standout tracks from the album, also features in Season 2 of Amazon Prime Video's Modern Love.

Wednesday, September 1: BRAKE LOOSE

Based in Dublin, Brake Loose are putting a fresh new spin on the hard rock sound – with a penchant for including provocative spoken word poetry within their songs. Led by Venezuelan frontman and poet Alex Murillo, the band have gigged extensively throughout the city – establishing themselves as a formidable force on the Irish scene. With a string of acclaimed singles, including 'Dublin Daze', 'Sexy Lady', 'I'm In Flames', and their latest release, 'Cosmic Girl', they've built up a loyal fanbase – with 32,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Brake Loose are currently crafting their debut album.

Thursday, September 2: WILLZEE

Blurring the boundaries between high-intensity hip-hop and poignant spoken word, Limerick's Willzee is at the forefront of a musical movement that's bringing his hometown of Limerick to the top of the Irish rap scene. He also channels his talents into script-writing – winning the 2019 Virgin Media Discovers Short Film Competition with his script for the film Innocent Boy. Following collaborations with delush and Mic Righteous, he's set to release his debut album later this summer via the Berlin label Welcome to the New World. He's released two solo singles so far this year – 'A Dream Of Peace' and 'No Remorse'.

Friday, September 3: LAUREN ANN

Following the release of 'Don't Take It Out On Me' and 'How It Works' in 2020, Lauren Ann returned with 'Angel Eyes' earlier this year. Although she's just 18-years-old, the Northern Ireland artist draws inspiration from the likes of Nirvana, Pixies, No Doubt and Suede – allowing her to craft a sound that feels both fresh and nostalgic. Following her lauded set at Stendhal Festival last month, Lauren has firmly established herself as a remarkable rising star.

Keep an eye on hotpress.com and our social media platforms for more information...