Live Report: Galia Arad on the Hot Press Y&E Series

Galia Arad wowed viewers of the Hot Press Y&E Series on Friday night, with her unique folk pop sound.

After touring the world with Jools Holland – playing the 3Arena, Glastonbury, and the Royal Albert Hall – and releasing two acclaimed albums, Galia Arad returned with 'Lion's Den' earlier this year. The Dublin-based singer-songwriter's music has previously been heard in Felicity, Marvel's Cloak & Dagger, and movies such as After Words, starring Marcia Gay Harden. Exploring a heart-achingly powerful, Americana-flavoured sound, 'Lion's Den' arrives ahead of the release of Galia's upcoming EP – expected later this year.

The singer-songwriter began her set with an unreleased tune 'So Many Words', a song that she said makes her feel nostalgic and young at heart. As Arad strummed her guitar and crafted a soothing melody, audience members were transported back to their own memories of youth.

It quickly became clear that Arad is quite the storyteller – not only through her bubbly personality, but also in her lyrics. Before playing  'Better than Bonnie', Arad captivated viewers with a tale of an Irish pen pal and a fair share of MySpace jealousy. Her clever lyrics, complete with Britney Spears references, and sassy musical undertones made her tune relatable to anyone who's been in love.

Her next song, 'Hope It Was Worth It' weaved specific heartbreak memories together, enchanting listeners with her sweet voice and melodic guitar. Throughout the performance, Arad connected with viewers, asking them questions and including them in the performance, despite not being in the same room.

'Grateful', her fourth track, was a love song written as a pitch for a TV show while Arad was in the pits of despair about a breakup. Despite the depressing origins of the piece, two couples have wanted it played at their weddings. This truly showcases Arad's ability to connect deeply with people through her music.

Arad closed her set with a fan favourite, 'Ooh La La' – a happy song full of rhythmic fun and summer romance. Even from her living room, Arad's stage presence was palpable through the screen.

Galia Arad plays at the Button Factory, Dublin on September 28. You can watch her Y&E Series performance below.

 

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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...