Singer EliRose Magee is no stranger to the stage, having been performing from the age of three with her dad and brothers as part of the Magee Family Band. However, earlier this year the 18-year-old Enniskillen songstress decided to start her own music page and has been making a big impact online with her stunning covers of popular songs.

Here she talks to The Impartial Reporter about performing Facebook Live gigs with her older brother Sean Magee during lockdown, her biggest gig to date and her best moment as a performer so far.

How would you describe your sound?

I would say quite soft and stripped back but I like to change it up every now and again.

What genre/genres of music do you most enjoy playing?

Mostly modern pop as well as a bit of folk.

How long have you been performing?

I’ve been performing for as long as I can remember! I think my first time performing was age three singing Ballyconnell Fair with my brother Jamie along with the Magee Family Band. I sang with the family for many years as well as doing some events and weddings with Sean Magee Music, however I then branched out on my own earlier this year.

Where do you perform?

Mainly wedding ceremonies and receptions, but also bars and events with my brother Sean Magee Music and the Magee Family Band, all across Ireland as well as further afield. We have had a lot of exciting gigs abroad cancelled or postponed due to Covid, but hopefully they will go ahead next year as planned!

What is your favourite song to play and why?

'All I Want' by Kodaline is a nice one, I like that it’s quite soft yet powerful at the same time and tends to get a really positive reaction from the crowd.

What has been your biggest gig to date?

Probably Amsterdam, St. Patrick’s Day 2018. Some of the biggest gigs to date were due to happen this year but were cancelled or postponed due to Covid as I mentioned, so here’s to hoping we’re back to normality by next year for everything to go ahead!

Any funny gig stories?

During a Facebook Live gig with Sean over lockdown whilst singing our mixing desk caught fire! Thankfully it was nothing serious and led to quite a few laughs once sorted.

Who are your major influences?

Probably to be expected, but my brother Sean has been the biggest influence, always pushing me to get out singing and do something new! If it wasn’t for him I don’t think I ever would’ve started up EliRose Magee Music.

Do you write your own songs? If so, what inspires your songwriting?

I have dabbled in writing but nothing that I would be happy to release quite yet- I am quite the perfectionist! The inspiration for me is just my personal life experiences and emotions really.

What would be your dream gig?

Anything on a big stage!

Best moment as a performer so far?

Personally the response to the first video on my music page was a really big moment for me, I really wasn’t sure what the response was going to be or how much support I was going to receive, all the positivity was great!

What is the most unusual venue you have played?

I performed in a stables once, that was a bit different for me.

What is your ‘go-to’ encore song?

'Zombie' by the Cranberries is always a crowd favourite so it tends to be my go-to!

What's the best thing about performing?

Probably the crowd's reaction.

Do you always perform solo or do you also play with a band?

I began by playing in a band with my Dad and brothers- the Magee Family Band- but I’ve recently branched our on my own as well as alongside my brother Sean Magee.

How has lockdown impacted you as a musician?

I’d say I’m probably one of the few musicians that has actually been positively affected by lockdown! As I am still in school it has given me a lot more time to focus on music and have a re-realisation of my love for it. It was only back in May when I decided to start my music Facebook page and lockdown has given me the opportunity to grow it.

In saying that, it caused a lot of exciting musical opportunities to be cancelled or postponed which obviously isn’t ideal- but I had been doing bits here and there on Facebook Lives on Sean Magee Music’s page and filming my own videos etc, you really just have to make the best out of a bad situation.

What does the rest of 2020 hold for you?

With the current situation who really knows!

Any last words?

Thank you for this opportunity and if everyone could check out my Facebook page- EliRose Magee Music- I’d really appreciate it!