Cleere’s Bar & Theatre once again proved why it is regarded as one of Kilkenny’s most beloved award-winning venues, hosting an intimate yet high energy evening of live music on the 21st of November. The night opened with emerging pop/folk artist Just Alice, whose warm stage presence and clean, emotive vocals immediately drew the audience in. Accompanied by gentle country undertones in her arrangements, she delivered an eight-song set that showcased both her songwriting range and her ability to craft relatable narratives.
Among the highlights were “This Way” and “Perspective,” performed with a quiet confidence that suited the cozy atmosphere. Her recent single, “Youth,” released this past August, resonated particularly well, blending lyrical nostalgia with a bright melodic lift. She closed her set with “Good Thing,” a heartfelt and uplifting finish that earned appreciative applause from the crowd, small in number but attentive and fully engaged.
When The Fynches took the stage, the energy in the room shifted instantly. Though the audience remained intimate in size, the band’s unmistakable ’70s folk/rock swagger filled every corner of Cleere’s. Touring on their newly released self-titled debut album, the group led by brothers Ferdia Walsh-Peelo (lead vocals, guitar) and Oisín Walsh-Peelo (vocals, keys, guitar) delivered a seventeen-song set that felt both polished and vibrant. Their musical chemistry was evident from the first notes, each member tightly in sync yet leaving space for the warmth and spontaneity that defines great live folk/rock.
A standout moment of the evening was their performance of “Sideways Man.” The venue had already been buzzing, but this track ignited something electric in the room, creating a noticeable shift in energy as the audience leaned in, nodded along, and fully embraced the band’s dynamic interplay. It was one of several points throughout the night that showed just how much potential The Fynches carry, even as newcomers on their debut record.
The band closed their set with a finely delivered cover of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery,” paying homage to a songwriting legend while making the tune distinctly their own. It was a fitting, emotionally resonant end to a night that celebrated musicianship, storytelling, and the enduring charm of live performance in a venue perfectly suited to both rising artists and fully formed acts.
Just Alice photos:
The Fynches photos:
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic