The Irish singer-songwriter (and actor) Niall McNamee is an incredibly exciting prospect and he’ll be holding audience members rapt when he appears at the Cumberland Arms at the back end of January.

Niall McNamee is a genuinely exciting prospect on the contemporary music scene, primarily because he masterfully bridges the gap between traditional Irish storytelling and modern alt-rock dynamism.

 Born to Irish parents and finding his feet in London, his music carries a unique, compelling dual heritage. Drawing inspiration from icons like The Pogues and Christy Moore, but equally from the rock swagger of Oasis and the melodic nous of the Beatles, McNamee creates anthems that are as poignant and reflective as they are infectious. His songs, as showcased on his debut album ‘Glass and Mirrors’ (which came out in October) are often raw, chaotic biographies of his adult life, charting love, struggle, and the vibrancy of growing up between London’s building sites and Irish pub sessions. This multi-talented fella is, as mentioned above, also an actor and in January you can also see him on your cinema screens as he’s appearing in ‘Saipan’ alongside the likes of Steve Coogan. GM

Niall McNamee, Wednesday 28 January, Cumberland Arms, Newcastle, 7.30pm, £15, thecumberlandarms.co.uk