Friday night saw Crumlin native Bernard M take over the Hot Press Instagram for a fully acoustic live set, streamed from Beardfire Recording Studios. Known for his high energy live shows, the 23 year old songwriter, producer and instrumentalist has been sinking his teeth into music since the age of 10. His talents have been recognised by tastemakers in Ireland, garnering radioplay across the country with his recent single 'Young', which also reached no.3 in the iTunes pop charts.

Captivating the audience from the first strum of the acoustic guitar, Bernard kicked off the evening by greeting members of the audience before delving into his original song ‘Weightless’, released last April. Pairing hip-hop elements with soulful melodies, the unique blend comparable to Loyle Carner and Ed Sheeran.

Turning back to the camera to greet some familiar audience members, the singer introduced his next track of the evening - the unreleased track ‘Closed’ -  which he debuted at a sold out gig at the Workman’s Cellar last June. The tune acted as a testament to Bernard’s versatility as a musician, as he dialled down the energy to match the tune's more reserved cadence. With his potent lyricism and impressive vocal range, one could only imagine the hold that would be had on an in-person audience.

Dialling up the energy, the audience was treated to another unreleased track, ‘Deal’. The hip-hop undertones in the verses flowed into  melodic choruses during a standout display of the artist's original style. A self-professed "genreless" musician, Bernard blends themes from pop, rap and soul into a seamless entity.

Tracks number four and five saw Bernard performing more stripped back, acoustic originals. ‘Certainty’, a collaborative project as part of his 2021 mixtape ‘Comix’, saw Bernard expertly adapting his hip-hop number to the set's laid-back vibe.

Then came a first ever acoustic delivery of ‘Zone’, from the 2022 EP Night. Usually accompanied by a booming garage-beat, the stripped back version had the performer beaming, “That went way better than I expected!” he gushed.

After thanking his viewers, Hot Press, and the Department of Culture, Bernard introduced his final song of the evening; his latest release ‘Young’. Charmingly inviting the audience to sing along at home, the energetic and heartfelt track would have provided the perfect end to the evening. Encapsulating the innocence of young love, the song combines soulful and catchy melodies with heavy, nostalgia-doused lyrics.

Viewers were rightly reluctant to see Bernard log off.  Duly obliging to the demands of his admirers, Bernard graciously answered questions, responded to comments and greeted family members before treating late-joiners to a second performance of ‘Young’.

 

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Rewatch Bernard M’s set on the Hot Press Instagram.

Catch the following acts coming up as part of the Y&E Series:

Tuesday 24th: Ispíní na hEireann
After honing their chops at some of the best trad and folk sessions in Dublin, the dazzlingly raucous group – who boast a massive online following – burst onto the scene in a big way last year, with the release of their debut album, the aptly-titled The Hard Working Men. They've maintained a socially conscious stance on their latest single, 'The Mica'.

Wednesday 25th: Brinda Irani
Initially rising to prominence as a popular busker in Dublin, the teenage singer-songwriter cemented her status as a star-in-the-making with her stunning debut original single, ‘A Shadow’ last year – followed by a string of brilliant tracks in 2023. This year also saw her crowned one of the regional winners in the A New Local Hero talent search.

Thursday 26th: Temi NLA
A Hot Press New Local Hero 2023 finalist, Temi NLA is an 18-year-old prodigy from North Inner-City Dublin. His talent speaks for itself – headlining the Sound House earlier this year before he was legally an adult. So far in 2023 he's unveiled a string of captivating singles, the most recent being the addictive, 'Scared of You'. Inspired by the likes of Chris Brown, Iann Dior and Ne-Yo, this is not an artist to be slept on – bearing an important message to spread to the people – “PUT GOD FIRST”.

Friday 27th: Siobhán Winifred
Having grown up in an Irish family in the tranquil embrace of Dorset, Siobhan Winifred’s music has deservedly earned plaudits from some notable names in music - including James Bay, Modernlove., and BBC Introducing. Inspired by acts such as Rufus Wainwright, Leonard Cohen, and Alex Turner, her most recent single ‘Killers’ explores navigating complicated relationships with narcissistic individuals - showcasing her innate ability to transform complex human experiences into poignant musical narratives.