NI Music Prize-nominated indie-pop artist Reevah (AKA Aoife Boyle) has just released her introspective new single, The Hardest Part.
The acclaimed singer-songwriter from Derry won kudos for her debut album Daylight Savings – these days, she’s fusing heart-on-sleeve pop with country balladry, with winning results.
We asked Reevah for her choice cultural picks…
FILM
I really loved Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao. I went to see this in the cinema when it came out. Jessie Buckley’s performance was brilliant: raw, emotional, and completely captivating. It’s one of those films that stays with you long after you’ve watched it, and those are always the stories I connect with most. I found myself thinking about it for days afterwards.
Noah Jupe in Hamnet
MUSIC
I’m a huge fan of CMAT and her EURO-COUNTRY album. Much like the music I write, and my latest single, I love that blend of country and indie-pop, especially when it’s rooted in great storytelling. I’m always drawn to songs that have something to say. Like the rest of the world, I’m also completely here for Olivia Dean! Alongside that, I’m constantly listening to great Irish artists like Joshua Burnside, Alana Henderson, Fontaines D.C., CHALK, Sorcha Richardson and Soda Blonde, to name just a few.
BOOK
Listen to the Land Speak: A Journey Into the Wisdom of What Lies Beneath Us by Manchán Magan completely changed the way I think about the island of Ireland and its landscape and landmarks. It intertwines ancient mythology with the present day, exploring the stories, language and memory held within the land itself. It feels magical and unlike anything else I’ve read. The imagery is beautiful and poetic, and it reminds us that the land isn’t just a resource; it carries history, stories, identity and belonging.
PLAY
Local theatre in Derry has been incredible over the past year, and two productions that really stood out were The Marian Hotel and The White Handkerchief.
The Marian Hotel, written by Derry native and Mother and Baby Institution survivor Caitríona Cunningham and produced by Sole Purpose Productions, explores Ireland’s Mother and Baby Homes. It was an incredibly powerful, emotional and personal piece of theatre.
The White Handkerchief, directed by Kieran Griffiths, with book and lyrics by Liam Campbell and music by Brian O’Doherty, revisits the events of Bloody Sunday through drama, music and movement. This was a very emotional watch, but I thought the staging and music were brilliant. I saw both productions at the Millennium Forum and came away with an overwhelming sense of pride. They tell difficult stories from our not-so-distant past. The performances, music and storytelling were poignant, and I was completely blown away by both casts of local actors and musicians.
TV
I think it has to be Stranger Things, mostly because it’s pretty rare that I actually get the chance to choose what I watch on TV these days, haha! My son became completely obsessed with it, so naturally the whole house was hooked. The soundtrack is brilliant too. For Halloween 2025, he dressed up as a Demogorgon, and it took me the best part of a week to make the headpiece from scratch. It was definitely worth it!
David Harbour and Winona Ryder in Stranger Things
GIG
I saw CMAT at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester as part of her EURO-COUNTRY tour in March 2026 and, honestly, she was amazing. I’ve seen her perform a few times now, but this show was on another level! She’s such a brilliant musician and performer, and the show was hilarious and completely captivating, along with her amazing band and the whole stage setting. It was a few hours of craic, dancing and singing. She’s an absolute icon.
ART
The Map / We Are the Map at Rua Red in Dublin was one of the most memorable and striking exhibitions I’ve ever experienced. Created by Irish artists Alice Maher and Rachel Fallon, and curated by Maolíosa Boyle, it is a huge textile installation that reimagines the life, legacy and mythology of Mary Magdalene.
I experienced this piece at Rua Red. It’s over twenty feet wide and was dramatically lit and suspended from the gallery ceiling. The piece is made from embroidery, appliqué, crochet, painted textiles and found materials, creating an imagined landscape. It has since toured to the Irish Arts Center in New York.
(I should admit that Maolíosa Boyle, the curator and director of Rua Red, is my mum.) I was incredibly lucky to grow up immersed in the art world. I used to joke that “my life is an installation.”
The Map by Alice Maher and Rachel Fallon
PODCAST
Happy Place, the podcast by Fearne Cotton, is one of my comfort listens. I love putting it on while I’m working, driving, walking, cooking or tidying the house. The conversations always feel authentic and honest. Podcast guests often talk about mental health, relationships, grief, happiness and life in general. It reveals a side of people (celebrities) you wouldn’t normally get to see.
TECH
My most-used apps are definitely Google Maps, Netflix, Shazam and AccuWeather. Haha, I am not a big tech person, and very much use apps for practical purposes.
THE NEXT BIG THING…
I genuinely think Irish music and film are only going to keep growing. They’ve both been building momentum for years, and it’s brilliant to see Irish artists finally getting the international recognition they deserve. For such a small island, we produce an incredible amount of creative talent. It feels like we’re only at the beginning of something really exciting, and I think the next few years are going to be even bigger for Ireland’s creative industries.
The Hardest Part is out now via Bloom Records – listen to more from Reevah here