Andrea Cleary is a freelance music and culture writer based in Dublin.
Andrea Cleary
Dublin singer-songwriter Sorcha Richardson's second album 'Smiling Like an Idiot' was released last week on Faction Records. Andrea Cleary reviews.
'The Main Stage', a new music show on RTÉ One, ran for six episodes from July until August this summer and featured artists such as Cormac Begley, Denise Chaila, The Scratch and Tolü Makay. Andrea Cleary reviews.
The Body & Soul festival returned on 17–19 June with a reduced capacity and a line-up including CMAT, Róisín Murphy, Pillow Queens and Jon Hopkins. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Not long after a remarkable second appearance on James Corden's 'Late Late Show' in the US, Pillow Queens have released their new album, 'Leave The Light On'. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Síobhra Quinlan, performing as sfiiinx, has just released her debut album 'The Magma Chamber' on the Ergodos label. Andrea Cleary reviews.
The Other Voices festival celebrated twenty years this year, with a weekend of live music in Dingle just before the latest restrictions. Andrea Cleary reviews.
The latest release from Ergodos is a collection of duets recorded by Ross Turner in the off-stage spaces of the National Concert Hall. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Saint Sister recently released their second album 'Where I Should End'. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Andrea Cleary reviews 'Extraterrestrial' – an evening of music and spoken word at the National Concert Hall celebrating Black Irish artists.
In the summer of 2019, David Balfe released his debut album 'For Those I Love' for a brief period before it disappeared from streaming services. After months of hype, it was finally released in March of this year. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Wyvern Lingo's second album 'Awake You Lie' was released last week. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Singer-songwriter Anna B Savage has recently released her debut album 'A Common Turn'. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Dublin rap artist Nealo's debut album 'All the Leaves Are Falling' reflects poetically on suburban monotony, social struggles, travel and time passing. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Rap artist JYellowL has just released his debut album '2020 D|Vision', a collection that tears down the semantic barriers between the political and the personal. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Self-reflection – often painful, confusing and difficult – is at the heart of singer-songwriter Ailbhe Reddy's debut album 'Personal History'. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Galway singer-songwriter Niamh Regan's debut album is the surprising inaugural release from new label Black Gate Records. Andrea Cleary reviews.
A new documentary on the history of Irish hip hop explores the views of current artists such as Denise Chaila, Costello, Ophelia, Kojaque and Mango X Mathman. Is the genre becoming an agent of change in Ireland? Andrea Cleary reviews.
Lankum's live-streamed show at the Abbey Theatre, titled 'A National Disgrace', presented an eerie image of the arts today – empty theatres and audiences watching from home. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Dublin band Silverbacks have just released their debut album 'Fad'. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Last week, Denise Chaila gave a compelling performance at the National Gallery as part of the Other Voices Courage series. Andrea Cleary writes about a significant moment for Irish hip hop.
Singer-songwriter Hilary Woods recently released 'Birthmarks', a follow up to the acclaimed 'Colt'. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Dublin four-piece The Scratch blend metal and folk with boisterous performances. Andrea Cleary reviews their debut album, 'Couldn't Give a Rats'.
Dublin rap artist Lethal Dialect has recently released 'LD50 Part 3', the third release in his LD50 project documenting the split in modern Ireland's social fabric. Andrea Cleary reviews.
David Keenan's debut album 'A Beginner’s Guide to Bravery' displays obvious talent, but it is lost in his love for the past, writes Andrea Cleary.
Singer-songwriter Aoife Nessa Frances has just released her debut album 'Land of No Junction', a collection of songs rooted in the experience of millennial life. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Dublin singer-songwriter Sorcha Richardson has recently released her debut album on Faction Records. Andrea Cleary reviews.