Future star stops off in Omagh for special concert

FRIDAY night proved very special for the Omagh music scene, as the occasion saw 17-year-old singer and guitarist, Muireann Bradley – undoubtedly a future star – perform in the town.

The young musician from Ballybofey has been making a huge name for herself in recent times; coming to prominence after performing on this year’s Jools Holland’s annual Hootenanny on New Year’s Eve.

Since then, she has been all over our television screens, performing everything from ‘The Late Late Show’ to multiple BBC shows.

Her first show on her 2024 mini-tour of Ireland was in Omagh at Daly’s Loft.

In fact, this was the young singer’s first show in the North, in what was a very intimate setting. The venue, which holds around 100 people, was completely sold out.

There was also some excellent support on the night, courtesy of young Newtownstewart singer-songwriter, Naomi Campbell, who performed a beautiful set full of music, which was inspired by the Laurel Canyon folk music of the 1970s, such as the likes of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor.

If she is playing locally, she is a must-watch, too.

Then, came the young Donegal singer who lit up the room with
a innocent and unaffected
charm.

It is amazing to see someone so young with such a great talent.

Known for her fantastic guitar skills, Bradley did not disappoint with her faultless playing, using an impressive metronome-like picking technique.

The set was full of impressive covers of blues and folk classics by musicians from as far back as the 1910s, and moving the whole way through to the folk revival of the 1960s.

Yes, Bradley is a real dichotomy: She’s a throwback to the past with her style reminiscent of Elizabeth Cotton and Mississippi John Hurt – a great folk singer of the 1920s – but she employs a modern and fresh twist.

In her performance, she introduced each song in a very likable and nervous style, which showcased her enthusiasm and love for each tune that she plays.

Sometimes, when young guitarists play old blues songs, it can come across as cheesy and a bit naff – but not in Bradley’s case.

The young singer is surely going to go on and have a huge career in music.

She already has fans in high places, with Jools Holland and Eric Clapton both admirers of her first album, ‘I Kept These Old Blues’.

So, people who were at the intimate small Omagh show
can say in years to come, “I saw her perform in a room above
a bar in Omagh in front of 100 people before she got really famous.”