Sunday 29th November 2026
Location: Cleeres Bar and Theatre, 28 Parliament Street, Kilkenny
In stock
Irish artist and songwriter McGrath (Mick Russell) returns with his new single Burn Daylight, released June 18th via Some Action Records. Following the striking introduction of debut single Rotha, McGrath continues to establish himself as one of Ireland’s most distinctive emerging voices, pairing vivid storytelling with sharp wit, emotional honesty, and a singular vocal presence.
Originally from Donegal and now based in Belfast, McGrath was first discovered performing in a local pub, where his commanding voice and sharply observed songwriting quickly turned heads. Singing songs about drinking stout with his father, the arrival of the horsemen of the apocalypse, and the endless turns of Rotha Mór an tSaoil (‘The Great Wheel of Life’), McGrath balances humour, melancholy, and poetic insight in equal measure.
On Burn Daylight, McGrath shifts inward, exploring the loneliness and longing that comes with separation from someone you love. Built around a dreamlike, trance-indebted atmosphere, the track captures the strange emotional limbo of distance—when time slows, absence lingers, and every passing hour feels suspended.
Speaking about the track, McGrath says:
“This is for anyone who has had to endure being away from their significant other. Whether that be for professional reasons or otherwise. Loneliness creeps in and sometimes you just want the sun to burn away the day so you’re that bit closer to returning to the one you love. I wanted a dream/trance-like sound to convey the out-of-body feeling that this can evoke.”
McGrath’s talent has already earned significant early support. Following the release of debut single Rotha, the track received strong backing across Irish and UK radio, including airplay from RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2FM and BBC Introducing Ulster. His voice and sharp-witted lyricism caught the attention of George Ezra, who invited him to open for him in 2025, while a coveted slot at Dublin’s renowned Ruby Sessions further cemented his reputation as a compelling live performer. With festival appearances across Paris, Manchester and London, and more new music planned throughout 2026, McGrath is steadily building momentum as one of Ireland’s most intriguing new songwriting voices.
Produced by Rob Kirwan (PJ Harvey, Hozier, U2), Burn Daylight expands McGrath’s sonic palette while preserving the lyrical intimacy and emotional depth that first marked him out. Dreamlike yet grounded, melancholic yet hopeful, the single captures the ache of absence and the quiet optimism of reunion.
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