Live Report: Oscar Blue on the Hot Press Lockdown Sessions’ Y&E Series

With stellar headline shows from Dublin to New York, as well as an appearance on the main stage at Indiependence, 22-year-old singer-songwriter Oscar Blue has been keeping himself busy during 2020.

Recently, the Clare musician has been collaborating with acclaimed producer Philip Magee, famed for his work with Kodaline, The Script and Miles Kane. The new musical partnership has resulted in thrilling new developments in Oscar's sound – powerfully showcased on his current single, 'Sober from You'.

Kicking off his livestream set with 'A Dance at the Crossroads', the musician describes the much-streamed track as "a love story of yesteryear". With many references to Catholic Ireland, countryside dances, the Holy Spirit and a fondness for the bottle; the song itself showcases Oscar Blue's noteworthy storytelling abilities. The 2019 track is an ode to the Ireland of his grandparents' generation, with lyrics inspired by Jack B. Yeats and Sean Keating's images of summers gone by. Oscar brings his tender portrait of the rural West into the present with an irresistible folk-infused indie-pop sound.

With a helping hand on piano from his flatmate Dylan, the singer-songwriter performs a rendition of another popular track in his repertoire, 'Silhouettes'. The love song touches on self-doubt and anxiety over whether to take certain risks when it comes to a potential relationship. With earnest lyrics and his usual catchy melodies, it's yet another hit from the West of Ireland artist. The livestream is only Oscar Blue's second gig of the year, he explains, after he performed at Whelan's 'Ones To Watch' event in January. Since then, he's been busy in the studio creating new music, which will hopefully be released in the new year.

Next up, he delivers a stripped back version of his latest single, 'Sober from You'. The song speaks of the sadness of losing a partner as a friend, and the tough terrain of trying to get over an emotionally draining break-up. Performing an unreleased track next, titled 'Orange Juice', the feel-good song is a lighter tone than his previous acoustic folk ballads. Describing a person who gives his mood a boost in the morning, the song is sure to get stuck in your head.

Concluding the livestream with a Christmas classic, 'Fairytale of New York', Oscar Blue illustrated his easy-going charm with a virtual audience and talent for easy-to-digest musical gems with his mini-gig. 2021 will see him release more memorable music, no doubt.

Watch Oscar Blue's full Y&E Series performance below:

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Watch Rebecca McRedmond tonight, December 7, 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.

Keep an eye on hotpress.com for more Y&E news! Each performance on the Y&E Series, supported by the Department of Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, streams live on the Hot Press Instagram (@hotpressmagazine) at 7.30pm every night.