By Chloe Morris
Bursting with catchy beats and insane energy, Irish alt-rock band, Cliffords, blew away their Bristol crowd during their stop at The Louisiana on their first-ever UK tour. Having already made waves across the indie and alt-music scene, I had the pleasure of witnessing their electrifying live set—and I’m here to say: you need to get to know their music. This won’t be the first or last time you hear their name.
From the moment I arrived to the moment I left; I was truly in awe of what I was hearing. Opening the night was fellow Irish band Bold Love—bold by name and bold by nature. Their captivating set was a gorgeous blend of dreamy vocals and warm instrumentals, layered with unexpected bursts of grungy guitar and punchy drums. Their sound was the perfect introduction and complement to what Cliffords would soon bring to the stage.
When Cliffords finally stepped into the spotlight, I was already buzzing—but from their very first note, I was completely hooked. The constant switch between soft and powerful vocals from the lead singer, Iona Lynch, kept us on our toes, all while melting seamlessly into the lush, high-energy instrumentals behind her.
One standout moment was when band member, Gavin Dawkins, surprised us all by pulling out a trumpet during Shattered Glass—a sonic twist that elevated the set even further. Their discography is refreshingly unpredictable, taking you from headbanging one minute to emotional catharsis the next.
Their stage presence was just as magnetic. Iona danced freely across the stage, and at one point even entering the crowd, while a kind of invisible electricity pulsed between the band — they performed as one, and I was absolutely captivated. A particularly moving highlight was when they performed the unreleased, Kieran’s Song, a tribute to a close friend of Iona’s who had passed away. The raw honesty of the lyrics and the emotional weight behind every note brought a tear to my eye.
Cliffords are the underdogs I’ll be rooting for from now on. I’ve already added them to every playlist and have loved sharing their music with friends. Their set reminded me what a truly great live performance should look like—one that shakes you, stirs you, and stays with you long after the lights go down. The beautiful grittiness of their sound and emotional depth of their lyricism makes them a band to watch. And personally, I can’t wait to watch them soar.
Unless otherwise stated, Photography & Text Copyright 2025 © Chloe Morris/ADRENALINE Magazine.
Kyle Horne 
Jack Walsh 
Laura Amelia Bujauskaite