Live Report: Eoin Glackin on the Hot Press Lockdown Sessions’ Y&E Series

The Dublin-born Eoin Glackin draws influence from the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Steve Earle and Christy Moore, and is currently working on a new album – set to be released next Spring.

His appearance on the Y&E Series coincided with the premiere of his new music video for 'El Dorado' – which went live on hotpress.com earlier this week.

With a setlist that's both full of hope for the future as well as poignant reflections on the current state of Ireland; Glackin's performance brings his trademark charm to a virtual, intimate gig. Kicking off his show with 'Before the Rain', a lockdown tune brimming with nostalgic metaphors and relatable phrases, he follows it up with the beautiful 'The Way You Looked At Me'. With Irish storytelling firmly lodged in his DNA, the singer-songwriter's influences from decades past are on show within his songs. Encouraging the audience to get their happiness "wherever you can", his own Santa mug is getting him through the dreary November days of the pandemic.

He performs 'St Jude's Parade' next, commenting that he began writing the track three years ago and it continues to metamorphosise into something new. Gigs cement a song in his head, and with the live music industry at a standstill, the track hasn't quite had an audience confirm the finished product. He displays powerful, clear vocals before offering his latest single 'El Dorado'. The song speaks to camaraderie and an unbreakable friendship following a loved one's battle with sickness. 'How Quick The World Can Change' was written during lockdown, when he felt that Ireland was united under one goal of beating Covid-19 (until he read social media commentary and realised that wasn't quite true!). 'Dublin in the Sun' is an ode to his love of the city centre in the summertime, wishing he could have a beer on the grass. It's a relatable goal, and the performance brings the audience out of the winter feeling for a few moments at least, throwing in some whistling for good measure.

His final two tracks touch on the themes of freedom and festivities. He wrote a Christmas song while putting up the tree with his fiancé, against his own wishes. "Any old Christmas will do," he sings, reflecting the mood of a nation as December approaches. Glackin delivers a livestream set as personal and comforting as his usual shows, with storytelling talent and vocal ease acting as the primary takeaways.

Watch Glackin's full Y&E Series performance below:

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The Y&E Series continues to shine a light on some of the best new and emerging talent that Ireland has to offer in 2020 – with a brilliant selection acts joining Hot Press on Instagram every night for special live-streamed performances.

Watch Izo tonight, November 26, as part of the Hot Press Lockdown Sessions' The 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.