Written By Olivia Ross
The Cork band delivered a show to remember on their third visit to the Scottish city.
Cork’s Cliffords have been steadily building a devoted following with their soaring alt-rock soundscapes that nod to the likes of The Cranberries and Wolf Alice. With a string of spellbinding singles and a debut EP (‘Strawberry Scented’) already under their belt, it feels like the time has come for the Irish band to fully step into the spotlight.
Fresh off the announcement that they will be returning to TRNSMT next June, Cliffords’ Sunday night gig at Glasgow’s King Tuts Wah Wah Hut was a whirlwind display of why they are one of the most exciting emerging bands right now.
The venue was packed with a buzzy, boozy crowd well before the band launched into their unreleased opener, ‘Marsh’. Driven by a commanding rhythm section, the track’s bold display of musical confidence and cohesion set the tone immediately; this was going to be a gig to remember.
Although it was only their third visit to the Scottish city, the night felt like a sort of home-away-from-home show for vocalist Iona Lynch, who was “raised by a Scottish woman.” “If you’re related to me, cheer!” she joked, before leading a euphoric singalong to ‘If The Shoe Fits’ with her powerhouse vocals. Her warmth and quick wit created what felt like a genuine connection with every member of the audience, elevating the band’s already top-tier performance into something personal, communal and undeniably special.
Far more than just another guitar band, Cliffords effortlessly showcased a dynamic, multi-dimensional sound that balanced power with sensitivity. On ‘Second Skin’, bassist Gavin Dawkins picked up the trumpet to deliver subtle, controlled brass textures that intertwined beautifully with Harry Menton’s shimmering guitar work. Meanwhile, ‘Shattered Glass’ saw Lynch’s softly sung yet emotionally charged lyricism meet acoustic tones and gentle trumpet interjections in a stunning moment that underlined the band’s depth and musical sophistication.
Their set reached a moving emotional peak with ‘Dungarvan Bay’ – a song dedicated to a friend who passed away and another who stood among the crowd. Lynch’s dazzling Irish charm and heartfelt storytelling gave the already intimate song increased weight, captivating the room till the very last note.
Yet, what stood out most was the band’s beautifully balanced live sound. Rich and refined, every instrument sat comfortably in the mix, allowing Cliffords to play with a confidence and clarity that made their music both deeply engaging and easy on the ear.
This balance carried all the way to the set’s energetic final stretch, where the band’s tight interplay and visible joy in performing ‘Sleeping with Ghosts’ and ‘Bittersweet’ made it clear they do it all for the love of their craft.
Smart enough to skip an encore, the Irish band ultimately left the audience wanting more. As the house lights came up, the crowd stumbled back to reality, still buzzing from the impact of a truly immersive and authentic performance, and more than likely in agreement that they wouldn’t forget this gig any time soon.
So, if you’re looking for a band to see before they explode, Cliffords are it. They won’t be playing venues this size for long.
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