Tonight, January 20, the first in the highly anticipated Up Close and Personal series is set to be broadcast on the Hot Press YouTube channel – going live at 7pm, with fascinating insights and performances from Gemma Hayes, as we revisit her acclaimed debut album, Night On My Side (2002).

Making her long awaited return to the stage after five years, Gemma discusses the making of her Mercury Prize-nominated album with Lucy O’Toole, at an intimate show recorded in The Grand Social, Dublin. Co-produced by Dave Odlum and David Fridmann, Night On My Side has taken on a legendary status among fans – including Pillow Queens’ Rachel Lyons, who was in attendance on the night.

The show – which will be broadcast in full tonight – features the first ever live performance of ‘My God', alongside three other tracks from the album, while Gemma also shares exclusive news about a new album that's currently in the works.

As well as featuring deeply personal insights from Gemma, the discussion also finds her reflecting on the unique spirit of the late '90s and early '00s Irish music scene she was immersed in.

Gemma Hayes talks to Hot Press' Lucy O'Toole. Photo by Alison Kenny.

Tonight's show is the first of six, set to be broadcast over the coming weeks.

As part of our Up Close and Personal series, we selected six seminal Irish albums, crossing decades and genres, and took a deep dive into each LP. Chronicling important developments and historic moments – from the release of Planxty in 1973 to Villagers' Awayland in 2013 – the Up Close and Personal series explores 40 years of Irish music history, with eye-opening new revelations and reflections shared by the artists at the centre of the albums. For fans, students and practitioners of Irish music, it's an unmissable series.

“These six special events turned out to be absolutely brilliant nights,” Hot Press editor Niall Stokes enthuses. “There was such a sense of occasion, and also of warmth. It was fantastic – and inspiring – to hear the artists recall the circumstances surrounding the release of the records and to hear them talk in detail about the way wonderful songs are written, and great albums come together."

The full line-up, going live at 7pm each night, includes:

Gemma Hayes – Night On My Side (tonight, January 20) – Presented by Lucy O’Toole

Mary Coughlan – Tired & Emotional (January 27) – Presented by Paul Nolan

Damien Dempsey – Seize The Day (February 3) – Presented by Lucy O’Toole

Ash (Tim Wheeler) – 1977 (February 10) – Presented by Paul McLoone

Villagers (Conor J. O’Brien) – Awayland (February 17) – Presented by Paul McLoone

Planxty (Andy Irvine & Donal Lunny) – Planxty (February 24) – Presented by Pat Carty

Watch Up Close and Personal with Gemma Hayes below – going live at 7pm tonight, January 20:

This special series of intimate conversations, is produced in association with Aidan Shortall of Up Close and Personal Promotions and supported by the Live Performance Support Scheme and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Our thanks to all the participants.