Live Report: Tommy Cullen on the Hot Press Y&E series

The Y&E Series series returned Friday with a takeover by Dublin acoustic singer-songwriter Tommy Cullen.

A livestream show is a hard thing to master — separated by a screen, comments in lieu of applause. With Cullen, however, his laid back strumming and quiet commentary fostered an intimacy that even live concerts lack, creating an atmosphere akin to being in a friends apartment, closing your eyes and listening as they play a tune.

"I think this is the most people I've seen up here immediately, upon opening up a livestream," he began. "It's usually a bit like you're hosting a house party, and you're sort of watching people, standing in the doorway, hoping people don't get distracted and walk into a different house instead."

The singer kicked off his set with 'New Love', a single released in 2020. Meandering and soft, the lyrics took centre stage — voice rising and falling alongside the simple, but evocative, guitar.

"This song is about the nicest train you've ever seen in your life," he said, before launching into 'The Train' — his first ever release. Translating the ambient noise of the recorded track into impressive finger picking, Cullen showed off his guitar prowess.

Formerly the frontman of Dublin alternative outfit The False and the Fair, Tommy has released nine solo singles since 2020. Looking to display a wide range of songwriting talents, they each possess their own flavour — while still retaining the guitar, lyric forward approach he has patented as his own. Having steadily been growing a following with his versatile musical approach, he has solidified himself as one of Ireland's most promising upcoming acts.

"Guys I've been here in isolation all week, and this is a nice way to finish it off," he prefaced his last track. "It is great to have a crowd of you here, you're making me feel very lovely. This has been a lot of fun, let's give this last song a go."

Dipping into the realms of upbeat and cheery to moody and brooding, Cullen infused his works with a gentle thread of distant sentimentality — from the crescendoing 'Good Time' to gentle love ballads, proving that his songs hold up after being translated into an acoustic format.

To characterise his set in one word would be warm. Though streamed for the internet to see, it felt like a private show — the atmosphere supporting his performance in a uniquely poignant way. Guitar in hand, Cullen made waves on the Hot Press Instagram, and is sure to continue to rise.

Watch the Hot Press The 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.

Coming up on the Y&E Series...

Tuesday, April 5: Blondmodel

These primary school pals first began making waves back in 2019 with their debut single, ‘Phonecall’, becoming an unexpected streaming hit, and clocking up over half a million Spotify listens. In the years that followed, they’ve continued to carve out a unique path with a string of irresistible alternative pop singles, including ‘B L I S S’, from their self-produced debut album, Doom, Gloom And Cheap Perfume - which landed in February to critical acclaim. Blondmodel made their impressive debut in a packed-out Sound House two months ago. Listen to their debut album below and tune in tonight at 7pm!

Wednesday, April 6: Clara Tracey

There’s a big buzz around the Fermanagh-born, Dublin-residing Clara Tracey, who’s played in assorted bands with Maija Sofia, Aoife Nessa Frances and Paddy Hanna. Now concentrating fully on her solo endeavours, the title-track from her upcoming Black Forest album has dropped on Dundalk’s Pizza Pizza artists’ collaborative label. Jazzy, poppy and Motown-y in equal measure, it features Gilla Band’s Daniel Fox on bass and calls on the titular 1920s stained glass artist to melt down his Eve of St. Agnes masterpiece so that the young lovers depicted in it can be reunited.

Thursday, April 7: Lea Heart

After clocking up millions of streams over lockdown, Lea Heart will make her Irish headline debut with two nights at The Academy on April 19th and 20th. Lea Heart’s pandemic success reflects bold new changes currently underway in the music industry. As well as getting her song ‘A Million Goodbyes’ featured in an episode of Love Island, her phenomenal popularity is also largely owing to social media. Fellow Kildare act Picture This have also been early champions of Lea. The band selected her as one of the support acts for their Malahide Castle show in June.

Friday, April 8: Sinead McConville

The Wicklow musician first released her debut solo single, 'Doorstep', back in May 2020. Recorded at home in a sticky and sweaty attic with rising singer/songwriter and Y&E Series performer D. Cullen, the song is an expression of love on a summer’s day in Ireland. Previous single, ‘Running From You’, stayed on the RTE Recommends playlist for three weeks. Highlight performances for Sinéad include The Late Late Show and supporting Mundy in Lost Lane; ‘Ireland Music Week’ with ELKAE and John Barker’s ‘TILT’ with Munky in The Button Factory. The Irish folk-pop artist released her stripped back, harmony-driven piano ballad 'Break My Heart' last June.