Uppbeat took Instagram by storm last night, performing a blend of high-powered punk and energetic hip-hop on the Hot Press Y&E series.

Streaming from his studio, the Mayo-native began with a quick, "what's the craic?" before launching into his set — rapping with the same flow and speed as his recorded tracks, proving not only his metal as a musician, but as a performer.

Amassing over 40,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, Uppbeat (real name Finn Costelloe) has been genre bending since the start, creating tracks that have the angst and power of punk with the intensity and danceability of rap/hip hop.

Focusing on issues from mental health to homelessness, Costelloe has always created with a message in mind. It's this blend of of socially conscious lyrics and heart-thumping instrumentation that has set Uppbeat apart, allowing him to rise to the top of the burgeoning Irish hip hop scene.

From fan favourites the likes of 'Exhale,' featuring BVDLVD and 'Jellyfish,' to unreleased high-voltage tracks such as 'PTSD,' the performance was almost hypnotic; a clear display of an artist who above all loved his art.

Even in the more mellow pieces like 'Coffee, tar and the devil' the passion seeped through the screen.

“I’m working on a project at the moment called HyperPunk, it’s an EP," he explained. "We’re doing a lot of interesting NFT stuff around it as well... We’re just trying to do something different and include more people, and make it a more accessible world."

He went on to share two never-before heard tracks – with the rapper listening along to 'Psychotic,' a grunge-tinted track to be released later this year. “I need to know what you think – so if you like it put fire emoji’s, and if you don’t say nothing,” he joked, before sharing 'Never Enough,' a raw, emotional demo still in the early stages of production.

Displaying his range of lyricism, skill and devotion, Uppbeat made the most of his time on live, delivering a performance that oozed with energy.

Watch the Hot Press The Y&E Series – supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media – live on the Hot Press Instagram (@hotpressmagazine) at 7pm each night.

Coming up on the Y&E Series...

Monday, March 28: Mia Yermeche
It’s been a busy year for the 19-year-old singer-songwriter, whose debut single was released while she was still working towards her Leaving Cert. Following an impressive appearance on The Big Deal – performing in front of a judges panel that included Boy George – her powerhouse vocals marked her as one of the standout acts of ‘A New Local Hero’. Produced by Chris Kabs, the Irishman behind JyellowL's 2020 D|Vision, recent track 'Butterflies' is a smooth R&B offering with crisp vocals and floating organ synths. Kabs got in touch after spotting one of Yermeche’s Instagram covers, and created the TEMO Universal, Dublin.

Tuesday, March 29: Cathal Murphy
Hailing from Camlough, Cathal has been raised on Irish traditional music – a passion passed down through his family from his great grandad. The Edinburg-based singer-songwriter blends soulful vocals with expressive song writing and uplifting guitar. As a member of award winning Northern Irish contemporary folk five-piece Cúig he's already toured extensively across Europe and the USA. He released his debut EP, I'm Writing to You, It Can Be Lonely and Beautiful at the Edges of Print, last June alongside a 20-minute visual. Lead single 'Frame' paved the way for the project's success.

Wednesday March 30: D. Cullen
The Dublin singer-songwriter gained attention in 2019 when his single 'Alright' made waves at radio and led to an acclaimed performance on The Late Late Show. He followed up in 2020 with a slew of equally addictive releases: The Rising Tide EP, 'Rainbow Weather'; 'Birch Street' and a festive collaboration with Sinead McConville, 'Christmas Ain't The Same (Miles & Miles Away)'. 2021 saw the release of psych-pop tune 'All The People', romance-twinged gem 'She Is A Song' and instant pop hit 'Heartline'. Cullen's melodies and soundscapes aim to bridge the gap between Elvis Costello, Tom Petty and Taylor Swift; as demonstrated on his most recent musical number 'Radio'.

Thursday March 31: Tara Nome Doyle
In April 2018, the Berlin-raised Norwegian/Irish musician's first single ‘Down With You’ was unveiled. It has since been streamed more than four million times, with her first EP Dandelion landing that same year to similar numbers and acclaim. Debut album Alchemy came in 2020, cementing Tara’s status as a star on the rise before 2022's hugely unique sophomore offering Værmin arrived. Previewed by captivating singles 'Snail I', 'Crow' and 'Caterpillar', the album landed via Modern Imprint.

Friday, April 1: Tommy Cullen
The former frontman with Dublin alt-rock band The False And The Fair, Tommy Cullen has been building up a strong following over the past year as a solo singer-songwriter. Having spent recent years writing and producing new music, in 2021, he showcased the versatility of his approach with a string of well-received singles, including 'Night Moves', 'Violet Rainbow', and 'In The Winter', featuring Amy Ellen.

Sunday, April 3: Chris Leonard
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.

Monday, April 4: Molly O'Mahony
Initially rising to prominence as one quarter of art-folk group Mongoose, the Ballydehob native has struck out on her own over lockdown – armed with a serious knack for intricate, intimate songwriting, and one of the most uniquely resonant voices in the country. Following two well-received singles, her crowd-funded debut solo album, The House Of David, is set to be released later this year. Back in January, O'Mahony was tipped as one of our 'Hot For 2022' Irish Acts.