Hot Press is proud to be teaming up with Jameson Connects, to bring you the inside info on The Spirit Of Christmas, an epic online music experience, on December 23, featuring some of the most exciting names in Irish music – with incredible performances from James Vincent McMorrow from Jameson Distillery Bow St., Saint Sister & Lisa Hannigan from The Palace Bar, and The Scratch from The Cobblestone – straight to your living room. This remarkable online gig will be hosted by acclaimed Dublin hip-hop artist Nealo.

Since the pandemic hit, we've been starved of the opportunity to make those real, lasting connections with one another that are normally at the heart of Irish culture. We love conversation and banter. Gathering together in a spirit of adventure, and of craic. And then letting the music take us on a journey as only music played by great Irish musicians can.

Over the past nine months, we've seen iconic spaces around Dublin standing temporarily vacant. Pubs that normally hum with animated conversation. Venues where we can immerse ourselves in the exhilaration of music.

And at Christmas, we are used to revisiting the places where we have come together in the past – to be together, laugh, tell stories, get lost in the moment, and share experiences that bring us closer together.

While this is a year like no other year, we can still find those vital human connections; be part of a collective experience; and enjoy the craic, in a place we can call home.

That's the thinking behind the Jameson Connects' online music experience. The aim is to blow the dust (maybe even the roof!) off The Cobblestone, the home of music; to bring something unique – and uniquely wonderful to The Palace Bar, the home of conversation; and, of course, to enjoy the abiding spirit of the Irish in Bow St., the home of Jameson.

Expect a night like nothing else you've seen this festive season – with beats, drops, goosebumps, hair-raising moments, electric energy, intense connections, joy, tears, and all the rest. Join in and enjoy The Spirit Of Christmas!

In the meantime, go to Jameson Connects, the place for epic rewards, incredible experiences, unique content and much more: www.jamesonwhiskey.com

• James Vincent McMorrow is set to grace the stage of Jameson Distillery Bow St. One of Ireland's most prominent musical success stories of recent memory, with over 750 million streams across his discography, the platinum-selling artist's music has taken him all over the world – with his music appearing everywhere from Game of Thrones to Drake's Views. Following a lauded string of singles this year, James' upcoming fifth studio album is expected in 2021.

• Following the release of their stunning collaborative single 'The Place That I Work' earlier this month, Saint Sister and Lisa Hannigan will be joining forces once again from The Palace Bar. Irish duo Saint Sister first met in Dublin in 2014 – and have since established themselves as one of the most captivating acts in the country. Their highly anticipated new album is expected in 2021 – following the release of their debut LP Shape of Silence in 2018, which was nominated for both the Choice Music Prize and Northern Ireland Music Prize.

• The duo have been long-time admirers of the work of Lisa Hannigan – widely considered one of Ireland's finest ever musical talents. Lisa has released three superb solo albums, beginning with Sea Sew (2008), which won both Best Irish Album and Best Debut Album in the Hot Press Readers' Poll that year. That debut project was followed by Passenger (2011) and At Swim (2016) – the latter a collaboration with Aaron Dessner of The National. Around this time last year, Lisa performed a brilliant set at the Hot Press Windmill Live series. She truly is a stunning performer.

• Few acts embody the wild and utterly unpredictable spirit of Irish music quite like The Scratch, who will be taking over the renowned music bar and venue The Cobblestone. Embracing absurdity and musical anarchy in equal measure, the Dublin-based four-piece have garnered legions of devotees off the back of their famously raucous shows. The Scratch continued to blur the boundaries between folk and metal in their own wildly unique way on their acclaimed debut album Couldn't Give A Rats– released earlier this year.

Join us for an unforgettable online music experience at 9pm on Wednesday, 23rd December at youtube.com/jamesonwhiskey

And, in the meantime, go to Jameson Connects, the place for epic rewards, incredible experiences, unique content and much more: Jameson Whiskey Connects

Please enjoy Jameson responsibly. Visit drinkaware.ie