Live Report: Jessica Hammond on the Hot Press Y&E Series

On Friday night, Jessica Hammond performed a stunning acoustic set for the Hot Press Y&E Series.

Accompanied on piano by Matty Graham, a music producer who co-owns Black Studios in Belfast with Hammond, she performed live versions of all the songs that she's been creating over the past three years. The set was filled with banter and laughter between the two musicians, but there was no shortage of talent throughout the performance.

Though doing acoustic versions of the pop songs was unusual for the Belfast-based artist, her powerful vocals captivated the audience. She started off with a stripped-back version of 'Tomboy' before belting the ballad version of 'Video Call,' a relatable tune written during lockdown about only being able to talk to others through video calls.

Despite minor technical difficulties, she performed 'Ugly,' her first ever release, and continued to engage with the audience, chatting, reading comments, and laughing with Graham.

Following a brief intermission due to more technical difficulties, Hammond and Graham performed 'Champagne,' her latest single. It asks the question: "If this was your last night on Earth, how would you spend it?"

Hammond finished her set with 'Guilty of Your Love,' a song released in April with Kyle Meehan.

Revisit Hammond's set for the Hot Press Y&E Series below:

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

Up next on the Y&E Series: 

Saturday, September 11: CARRIE BAXTER

Waterford's Carrie Baxter has been widely tipped as one of the most thrilling emerging forces in Irish music, following the release of her soulful debut EP, Placebo, last year. Now, after a selection of acclaimed singles and collaborations, the London-based rising star is set to return with her follow-up EP, What Now, on October 22. 'Something In The Water', the first single from the eagerly anticipated anticipated project, is out now.

Sunday, September 12: SARAH BUCKLEY

Sarah Buckley has already proven her talent with a spot on RTE Radio 1's Recommends playlist, a place in 'Whelan's Ones to Watch and Spin FM's 'Plan B' Ones to Watch. Her February 2019 track 'Magic Powers' was chosen as a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition - judged by Tom Waits and The Script - with previous winners including Goyte, Bastille, and Mick Flannery. Following on from her 2019 debut single 'You've Got Me', the Cork singer-songwriter continues to craft a dreamy melancholic soundscape with her newest song, 'Full Moon'. The single was produced by Karl Odlum (Mic Christopher, Glen Hansard, David Keenan) and is accompanied by a black and white music video composed of old movies and gig shots.

Monday, September 13: DON CHI

Filipina-Irish rap artist Don Chi hails from Belfast, working with underground label collective "GACK". The 26-year-old was introduced into Irish hip-hop by "Rosco Sauce" back in July 2019 after she attended the local open mic competitions, along with offering cameo performances for events like ELIXIR, 5th Element and Breaking Down Borders. Exploring boom bap, trap, R&B and Afrobeat productions; the rapper won her first debut set at open mic for Dirty Dike. In 2020, Don Chi released her Vortex EP, following up with this year's singles 'Mango Juice' and features from Hazey Haze and Krome. Catch her supporting Nealo's 'All The Leaves Are Falling' tour in Voodoo Belfast this October.

Tuesday, September 14: DORA GOLA

Polish-born, Lahinch-based singer-songwriter Dora Gola caught our eyes with her recent singles, 'Dark Sands'. Having fallen in love with Irish music, Dora was drawn to bands whose style was hybrid – like Beoga, Kíla and Kan. The vocal and performance coach was nominated for Hot Press' Most Promising Act of 2019, paving the way with a beautiful debut EP. Interspersing Eastern sounds of slavic folk with dark electro-pop and '80s funk, Gola is hugely influenced by dance, and utilises the music of Gorillaz, Kate Bush, Prince and Bjork. Stay tuned for upcoming single in the form of 'Flying Tree'.

Wednesday, September 15: JACKIE BEVERLY

Since late 2018, Irish indie-pop artist Jackie Beverly has been steadily carving a space for herself in the Irish music scene, sparking people’s attention with her refreshing electro-infused writing, and refined vocal. Having appeared on Other Voices, First Fortnight festival, Whelan’s Ones To Watch and The Ruby Sessions over the course of 2019 and 2020 - plus stellar opening sets for established artists such as Kelsey Lu, Sorcha Richardson, and Nnic - Beverly is well on her way to solo stardom. Her 2021 single 'Headlights' followed on from brilliant 2020 offerings 'Sea Glass' and 'Sweet Goodbye'.

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