Ways of seeing: Live at Coughlan's bar.

Cork is crawling with talented, passionate musicians, and I’m always so thankful to witness that talent firsthand. Ways of Seeing played their final sold-out show of their Ireland tour at Coughlan’s Bar on Douglas Street last night, with Cutouts opening. I was honoured to be invited to cover the gig by both bands’ incredible management team, Reclessreviews — a huge thanks to Gene and Patrycja.

Cutouts are made up of Adam Walsh (vocals, guitar), Caolán Ledwidge (bass), Adam English (keys, guitar), and Jamie Conway (drums). They are a rock band with indie influences, formed in Cork. Seeing these four lads on stage, who couldn’t be much older than I am, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Especially when the first thing lead singer Adam Walsh said to the crowd was, “Now’s the time to lose clothing.” They had me in stitches before a single track was played, but when they began, Cutouts were nothing short of phenomenal.

They opened with a track called “Tied Down,” which was rhythmically soft to begin with, showcasing their musical chemistry. I heard hints of The Monkees in the early melody, with Adam Walsh’s vocals giving me serious Davy Jones energy. What started as a dreamy, nostalgic track transformed into a full-blown guitar shred. It was one of those moments that makes you turn to your friend and go, “Wait, why haven’t they released this?” It was that good.

“Life and Times” was the standout track for me, distortion pedals echoed throughout the venue, with a dramatic punch landing on the lyric “dying”. That’s when I realised just how far Cutouts could go. They followed it with a cover of “Don’t Do It” by The Band, which let bassist Caolán Ledwidge shine with a groovy, confident bassline.

I also appreciated the integration of keys throughout the set. Adam English added a texture that many live bands overlook or try to fake with pedals. The band’s humour and stage presence were just as memorable. When Adam Walsh introduced a song by saying, “Here’s an instrumental one called D Radio,” I wasn’t ready for the chaos that followed.  It was a full-on shred, gritty and turbulent. Adam English swapped keys for guitar, Jamie Conway thundered in on drums, and the whole thing felt like a storm breaking out on stage.

They are an incredibly versatile band with heaps of potential, and oh my God, can Adam Walsh scream. The set of lungs on that lad is insane.

Cutouts band

Finally, it was time for the headliners. Ways of Seeing are James O’Donnell (vocals, guitar), Calvin Brannigan (bass), Donal Linehan (guitar), and David McDermott (drums). They are no strangers to the Irish music scene. Interestingly, Ways of Seeing began in 2020 as a solo project by frontman James O’Donnell, gradually evolving into the fully-fledged rock band that played to a sold-out crowd at Coughlan’s.

From the moment they began, it was clear they were seasoned performers. With their debut album “End Comes to Light” released in 2022 and a history of playing iconic venues like Mike the Pies and Whelan’s, not to mention supporting Cork legends The Frank and Walters, Ways of Seeing have been steadily making a name for themselves.

They opened with an unreleased track, “Ancient History,” which will feature on their upcoming album “The Inheritance of Fear”. The moment it began, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia, it had the introspective energy of early The Cure. James O’Donnell’s performance was deeply emotive, almost theatrical, while the band locked in with precision, playing seamlessly together. “Ancient History” felt urgent, like something that had to be heard. There was a gorgeous interplay between lead and rhythm guitar, adding dimension without ever clashing.

“Sunlight” was a standout. The opening alone felt like lying in a field in the dark while a million stars burst overhead, a perfect reflection of the debut album’s themes. It’s a track steeped in both lightness and longing, hopeful yet bittersweet. This is music that sits with you.

The crowd was completely enthralled, silent in awe. Ways of Seeing has this compelling, almost elusive presence on stage, you never quite know what’s coming next. Drummer David McDermott’s playing is especially worth mentioning, it’s sharp, intentional, and mood-defining. That was particularly clear on the track “Every Night,” where each hit added weight and direction. One thing that added to the atmosphere was the use of looping guitar riffs, the kind that circle back again and again, subtly shifting as the song moves forward. It gave the set this hypnotic, immersive feel that pulled everything together.

What still has me laughing is James O’Donnell, frontman of Ways of Seeing, walking into Adam Walsh’s workplace to formally ask if Cutouts would open for them. That shows serious initiative. The two bands complemented each other brilliantly, and I’m genuinely excited to see where both go next. It was one of those nights that remind you why local music matters.

Ways of seeing

 Written by Sophie Lee.