Live Report: Chris Leonard enraptures audience on the Y&E Series

Born in Dublin and raised in Ballivor, Co.Meath, Chris Leonard's passion for music was first shaped by watching his father play in sessions with the likes of The Fureys, and Barney McKenna of The Dubliners. Chris initially rose to prominence on The X-Factor, as a member of the band Stereo Kicks, who ultimately reached the quarter finals of the show. He's now a solo artist – and following the release of 'Fix' last year, 2022 will see him travel to America to record his debut album.

After teaming up with renowned producer Billy Farrell (The Corrs) and Darren Holden (The High Kings), Chris is fusing the worlds of pop and trad to craft a sound that has placed him on the verge of a major mainstream breakthrough. Accompanied by fiddle player Kane O'Rourke, Leonard delivered an applause-worthy set on the Y&E Series (livestream or no livestream).

The Fox & Bucks duo sees Kane on fiddle and Chris on vocals, guitar and stomp box while performing. The pair brought their infectious energy and back-and-forth banter to their livestream set, alternating between jigs and reels. O'Rourke himself has played alongside Daniel O'Donnell and Derek Ryan, among other giants of the industry.

The charismatic duo bickered over which key to start in (G, E minor), but it was all in good fun. Kane even whipped out the tin whistle at one stage, much to Leonard's delight. Infusing well-known Irish ballads and jigs named after Connemara and Belfast, it was reminiscent of a country pub scene. It was up tempo trad like no other, showcasing Chris' injection of youth and contemporary sounds into his traditional music roots.

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