As we squeezed into the intimate, sweaty confines of The Deaf Institute in Manchester for what turned out to be an unforgettable set by Cork’s rising indie rock stars, the Cliffords. The venue’s iconic red walls and disco ball ceiling set the perfect vibe for a band known for blending punchy indie energy with emotional depth, and the five-piece—Iona Lynch on vocals and rhythm guitar, Gavin Dawkins on bass and trumpet, Harry Menton on lead guitar, Daniel Ryan on drums, and Locon O’Toole on keys—delivered a performance that had the whole room buzzing.
The night kicked off with the hauntingly beautiful Second Skin from their 2024 debut EP Strawberry Scented. Iona’s voice filled the space, raw and unrestrained, as she sang about vulnerability and growth, her Cork accent slipping through in the softer moments. We were right near the stage, close enough to see the emotion flicker across her face as she belted out the chorus. Harry’s intricate guitar riffs layered over Locon’s shimmering keys created a dreamy, shoegaze atmosphere that felt like it wrapped the crowd in a warm haze. You nudged me, whispering how the song reminded you of late-night drives, and I couldn’t help but agree—the nostalgia was palpable.
The energy ramped up with their latest single Bittersweet, which Iona introduced as “a love letter to our last few years in Cork.” The track’s cinematic, melody-rich sound exploded in the tiny venue, with Daniel’s drumming driving the rhythm so hard I could feel it in my chest. Iona’s vocals were almost feral, soaring above the guitar-heavy mix, and the crowd lost it, jumping and shouting along to the chorus. The Deaf Institute’s small space made every note feel massive, and you couldn’t help but get caught up in the infectious energy.
A highlight was when Gavin pulled out his trumpet for Strawberry Scented. The mournful wail of the horn cut through the grungey guitars, adding a layer of melancholy that hit hard. Iona shared a quick story about writing the song while walking down Patrick’s Hill, her voice cracking with emotion as she dedicated it to “anyone who’s ever felt stuck in the past.” The crowd swayed as one, and I caught you wiping a tear during the bridge—same, honestly.
The band balanced raw emotion with their tight musicianship and it was unreal. There was a moment of chaos when one of Harry’s guitar strings snapped mid-way through Like a Man, a track Iona later called her favorite to perform. She laughed it off, joking, “This is what happens when you play too hard in Manchester!” while Harry swapped guitars. The band didn’t miss a beat, diving back in with even more intensity. Iona’s voice hit new heights on that one, her ferocity giving me chills as she screamed the final line, “I’ll break your heart before you can break mine.” We were screaming right along with her, the whole room feeding off her energy.
Photo Copyright © Gary Mather
The set closed with an unreleased track Iona teased as “something new we’ve been working on.” It was slower, more introspective, with Locon’s keys taking center stage and Harry’s delicate guitar lines weaving through. Iona’s lyrics felt deeply personal, reflecting on the whirlwind of the past year—gigs at SXSW, The Great Escape, and now this Manchester show. As the final note faded, the crowd erupted, chanting “Cliffords! Cliffords!” until the band came back for a quick encore, playing a stripped-down version of If the Shoe Fits that left us all in awe.
Walking out into the cool Manchester night, we couldn’t stop talking about how the Cliffords made The Deaf Institute feel both massive and intimate at the same time. Iona’s voice was the best I’d heard live in ages, she’s a star in the making, and the whole band’s chemistry was electric. It’s no wonder they’re being tipped as Ireland’s next big thing. We’re already counting down to their next Manchester gig—maybe at a bigger venue next time?
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