Ireland's singer-songwriter sensation hails TikTok for his breakthrough
Robert Grace says that prior to Tiktok 'no one was listening' to his music – but that all changed with the social media platform.
TikTok sensation Robert Grace has teamed up with Three Ireland as their first brand ambassador for City Stages 2025 - and wants to give emerging talent the chance to perform at this year's Electric Picnic.
Songwriter and singer Grace (32) shot to fame himself after posting his songs Fake Fine and The Hurt You Gave Me on TikTok.
'If it wasn't for TikTok I really don't think I'd be where I am today,' Robert tells Magazine+. 'I got in on TikTok early and before a lot of people realised it was going to be the way forward. It has been a huge platform for me.
'Some people didn't get on board so soon. You have to follow the way the industry goes, you have to be able to adapt and you have to be watching out… that's just the way it is.
'Before TikTok no one was listening to my music, I didn't have a way of getting it out there and TikTok really gave me that. Today, most of the new songs you hear on the radio come from TikTok and 90 per cent of all the new artists have been discovered on TikTok.
'That's why Three Ireland's City Stages are going through this route to find new talent and give them the chance to perform at the Electric Picnic.
'I got to play Electric Picnic the year before last and it was one of the best experiences and probably one of the best gigs I've ever done. It was amazing. If I could play at it every year I would.
Robert Grace Three Ireland City Stages 2025 Eddie copy May 18
'That's why I feel it's so special for artists at this stage of their career and who would never have a chance of playing at Electric Picnic to have that opportunity.
'It could be career changing and life changing for these artists. First of all, you never know who could be watching, who could be there, and as well as that it's great for your CV.
'I definitely think whoever gets to go it will really give them that drive to continue and to really give it everything because they'll experience what it feels like to be at this level.'
Robert, who's from Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny, wrote his first smash hit Fake Fine — a song dealing with mental health issues — at the start of the first Covid lockdown in March 2020 and in the months that followed it made a connection with thousands of fans through TikTok.
Grace then seized the opportunity to build a successful career in music.
'If you really want to be an artist, or in the music industry, I feel like you just have to give it absolutely everything, regardless of whether it's working at the start or not.
'My brother did music as well for a long time and he was one of my inspirations. I used to see him perform and I used to say, 'I want to do that.' But he was also a super talented electrician and I remember there was this competition in Ireland for Ireland's best electrician years ago. He got to the final of it, but he didn't do it because he had a gig on.
'Now he has his own business in Australia and is doing really, really well. But I always felt like the reason I pushed for music to work for me is that I am literally useless at everything else. I have absolutely nothing to fall back on, it's music or nothing. I was like, if I don't make this work I don't have anything. So I really dedicated my whole life to it. Music is my whole life. It's not only my work, it's also my hobby.'
Robert has been open about his mental health struggles in the past and has used his songwriting to voice it through songs such as Fake Fine.
'I'm doing well these days,' he says. 'You are never cured, but I have gotten a lot better at dealing with stuff. I could go a couple of months being great and then have a week or two where it's a bit rocky, but I know how to deal with it.
'When it first started happening to me I didn't know how to handle it and now I have come to the realisation that there's no shame in it or anything like that, it's just a part of who I am.
'I have no problem talking about it and I think that always helps as well.
'It helps other people when they see that they are not alone. That's what I like to get across in my music, to let people know that you are not alone because for me that's how I felt for a while as nobody really talks about it. But I feel a lot better now.'
Robert's career is flying high with successful live performances and other projects. 'I have been releasing a lot of stuff recently with one of my good friends Ryan Mack,' he points out. 'The plan is to release a song every month for this whole year.
'I'm also doing a lot of songwriting for other artists. There's a TV show being made in Thailand and at the moment I'm after getting three or four songs for the series because they want original songs for nearly every episode. I have my foot in a load of doors.'
To be in with a chance of performing at Electric Picnic, post a TikTok video showcasing your talent — it can be an original song or cover, solo or band. Use #ThreeCityStages2025 to make sure your entry gets spotted. Tag @ThreeIreland and hit follow to stay updated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Primark is selling the perfect summer holiday beach bag- it's waterproof & shoppers can't get enough of the sparkles
PRIMARK has the perfect beach bag for your summer holidays, and shoppers can't get enough of the sparkles. Now that summer is finally upon us, and with again next week, many of us are likely making plans for trips aboard. 3 Primark has launched its new summer bag range Credit: Getty 3 The bag is perfect for your summer essentials Credit: TikTok/Primark 3 Shoppers are obsessed with the sparkles Credit: TikTok/Primark And what better way to get yourself excited for summer than treating yourself to a new accessory. Primark is one of the best-loved brands on the high street, and is constantly wowing us with its stylish but affordable fashion. From cute dresses to on-trend work attire, the supermarket fast-fashion range always hits the mark, and its new summer collection is no exception. Posting to their TikTok account, Primark recently shared a clip of a brand its new Read more Primark stories "Packed up and beach ready", Primark said. The stylish silver bag is large enough to fit in all your summer essentials, such as a towel and sun cream. It's made from a waterproof material, so it will keep your belongings dry, and its super lightweight. Plus, the bag is just £10, so is perfect for penny pinchers. Most read in Fabulous Primark said: "Add a playful twist to your everyday look with this jelly tote bag. "Made from a flexible, wipe-clean material, it's lightweight yet roomy enough to carry your essentials with ease. I tried Primark's designer 'Farm Rio range' on a size 16 body - I loved their colourful coords for summer " The open top makes grabbing your things quick and fuss-free, while the sturdy twin handles are designed for easy carrying. "Whether you're heading to the beach, the shops or just out and about, this bag brings a hint of fun to your outfit." The lightweight bag is available in store, or via click and collect on the Primark website. And it's already proving popular with fashion fans. Why Primark is great for looking expensive on a budget By Clemmie Feildsend, Fabulous Fashion Editor AS someone who's no stranger to grabbing a last-minute outfit from Primark for a night out, it's about time that celebrities started catching on too. For as long as I've been heading out, Primark has been my go-to for those 'I have nothing to wear' moments, rushing in at the last minute to find something perfect. And I'm definitely not alone - on any Friday or Saturday night, you'll find plenty of shoppers doing the same thing, right before closing time. But no matter what, Primark always delivers. Now, Rita Ora is leading the charge, showing that you can snag a designer-worthy look without spending a fortune at high-end stores. While Rita's not rushing in last minute for a red carpet outfit, she's proving you can achieve the same high-impact style for much less. Looking stunning in her tailored suit alongside her mum Vera, Rita fit right in among the other A-listers dripping in Prada, Dior, and Victoria Beckham - if anything, she looked even better than some of the guests at The Fashion Awards. With Myleene Klass and Roxy Horner already jumping on the Primark bandwagon, I'm sure more stars will be following suit soon enough. Commenting under the TikTok video, one person beamed: "The sparkles!" Another said: "Love!" Shoppers have also been raving about Primark's new statement beaded bags. Not only are there two colourful patterns to choose from, but it's super stylish and will make the perfect holiday accessory. Not only are there two colourful patterns to choose from, but it's super stylish and will make the perfect holiday accessory. Some savvy fashion fans noticed that the bag, which went viral in a leopard and cherry print last year , is a dupe for an £88 version in Anthropologie and £285 one in Staud.
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I have 18 siblings & some of them are also my cousins – I always lie on dates because my family tree is so embarrassing
A WOMAN has revealed that she always lies when she goes on dates, as she's so embarrassed by her family tree. Ellie Blythe claims that every time she mean a new potential beau, she tells them she simply has two brothers and a sister. Advertisement 2 Ellie revealed she has 18 siblings Credit: TikTok/Ellieblythe 2 She said she always lies about her family tree when she's on dates Credit: TikTok/Ellieblythe However, this is far from the truth. "I've actually got 18," she claimed in a viral TikTok video, posted under the username Shocking her viewers even further, she added: "Not only do I have 18, some of them are also my cousins." Ellie said that she does not want to have to explain this on dates, as it is too complicated. Advertisement The TikToker gave no further information on how this is possible, and didn't give any evidence to back up her claims. However, the post quickly garnered the attention of TikTok users, racking up 200,000 views on the video sharing platform. TikTok users raced to the video's comments section to share their thoughts. One person said: "18 siblings?! what's your mum? was she a cat?" Advertisement Most read in Fabulous A second person said: "have two cousins who are also my stepbrother and stepsister." A third person said: "I would happily go on a date with you just so I could hear this story." Top 5 Controversial Celebrity Family Moments And Ellie isn't the only person to have an unusual family tree. Advertisement The secret came out, after her husband Joseph, 44 did a DNA test to find out more about his heritage. "When I realised that we were cousins, I was a little sick to my stomach", Celina told The world's biggest families The Vassilyev family This family currently holds the record for the most children a couple has parented, after the matriarch gave birth to 69 children, including 16 pairs of twins and seven sets of triplets. Mrs. Vassilyev has given birth to a total of 69 children, including 16 pairs of twins and 7 sets of triplets. 67 of the 69 children survived infancy. The Radfords Sue and Noel are parents to 22 children, and their hectic family life is documented in reality show 22 Kids and Counting. The pair have remained adamant that they won't be having any more kids, but the amount of grandchildren they have is ever expanding, with daughters Sophie and Millie both mums of three. The Duggars Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar have 19 children - 10 sons and nine daughters. All of their children's names begin with the letter J. They also had their own reality show in the United States, and became household names because of it. The Bates family Kelly also has 19 children, with her husband Gil Bates. Of 19 deliveries, 14 of them were natural. The couple also have 28 grandchildren, with four more on the way. The Dougherty Dozen Mum Alicia frequently shares videos and pictures of her family. She and husband Josh have four biological children together, as well as adopting or fostering the rest of their brood. The Rosario family Yalancia and husband Michael are parents of 11. They had their first daughter together earlier this year, and are also parents to Jamel, 15, Michael Jr, 11, Angelo, 10, Gimani, seven, Armani, six, Sincere, three and Khaza, two. Their fourth son, also named Armani, was stillborn. Joseph was in complete denial at first, but after looking closely at the data, realised the truth. The DNA test confirmed that the duo are third to fifth cousins, and the revelation left them questioning their relationship. Advertisement "I thought we were supposed to get divorced, but then I started thinking that for out children we need to stay together", Celina said. Read more on the Irish Sun Celina described the revelation as a "pivotal moment" as "you're not supposed to be with your cousin, but it happened that way". Joseph added that he meant it in his wedding vows when he said: "Till death to us part", so he decided not to leave his wife due to the discovery.
Extra.ie
5 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Awkward: Viral song that left Monica out of sync with friend Rachel
Singer-songwriter JC Stewart has revealed how an online interaction with one Friends star led to an 'awkward' real-world encounter with another leading cast member of the iconic show. The Northern Irish artist, whose songs have clocked up 350 million streams on Spotify before he even releases his first album later this month, went viral during the pandemic thanks to Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel in the show. The actress reposted Stewart's lockdown-themed parody of the Friends theme song, I'll Be There for You – made, he said, while 'being an idiot' at home and posted on the emerging TikTok. Stewart told 'I went to bed and woke up the next day, and I've never had anything like it on my phone. I had calls from Good Morning America, The Today Show and I ended up chatting to all these people.' @iamjcstewart Just leaving these here…#fyp #friends #cover #jcstewart #isolationgames #onmyown #comedy #parody ♬ original sound – JC Stewart The acknowledgment from Aniston never went further, but the singer later ended up in the company of her Friends co-star, Courteney Cox. Ms Cox is in a relationship with Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol, the Northern Irish band who were early patrons of Stewart's career and whom he still calls friends. But he admits Ms Cox had 'no idea what I was talking about' when he brought up Ms Aniston's enjoyment of his viral video. The acknowledgment from Aniston never went further, but the singer later ended up in the company of her Friends co-star, Courteney Cox. Pic: Shutterstocl 'It was awkward,' he laughed. Stewart, from Magherafelt, Co. Derry, said it was 'interesting seeing what that massive viral moment could look like' after Ms Aniston shared the clip, but added that it 'probably didn't change my life, long term'. He said: 'I'm like, 'You guys know I write real music, right?' I think we gained like 50,000 followers instantly, and I think we lost 45,000 of them when they all realised I wasn't a Friends account.' Yet the 28-year-old former MTV Push Artist of the Month has a hugely impressive online following, despite a relatively low profile here. A good portion of his audience is in Europe, where he plays some of his biggest gigs, including a recent thousand-seater in Amsterdam. His track I Need You To Hate Me (72.5 million Spotify plays) took off on the continent and topped the charts in Czechia – again during the pandemic. 'I remember doing all these interviews and people were like, 'You're number one in the Czech Republic this week',' he recalled. 'I was like, 'Oh sick, but I'm in Magherafelt. My Dad said I have to mow the lawn.' 'I think with the timing of it, it was hard to feel it. But I'm unbelievably grateful for it. It's pretty crazy,' he said. The piano and guitar player admits he doesn't really know why his music seems to 'resonate a lot better in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Finland', but said it is 'just a lot easier for me to go play there'. 'They just seem to get what I'm doing a bit more,' he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by JC STEWART (@jcstewart) He describes his anthemic style as 'that singer-songwriter, storytelling, doleful kind of thing that leans into pop music', with Foy Vance and Tom Odell named as influences (and also people he has gone on to work with). 'I just try and feel that punchin-the-chest moment. That's my favourite thing about music. If I can get that into a song and I can feel it, then I'm happy with it usually,' he said. He has also co-written with 'great guy' Niall Horan – albeit over a 'very patchy' Zoom call – and with Lewis Capaldi on the track Hollywood. 'I wrote that song at midnight in Ealing in West London one time with Lewis and these guys [Philip] Plested and Kane [Parfitt],' he remembered. 'It was just a bit of fun, but it turned into something bigger.' Stewart can expect to win a few more Irish devotees this month with the release of his first album, Space Hurts, followed by huge concerts in Dublin and Cork, where he will support Duran Duran and Chic. He called the line-up – playing at Malahide Castle in Dublin and Virgin Media Park in Cork – 'random enough', but said he is 'obsessed with both' acts. And it won't be his first encounter with either. He first met Nile Rodgers of Chic while doing work experience at a London recording studio aged 17. 'I've kept loosely in contact with them,' he said. 'I haven't seen them in a few years, so it'll be nice to now go and play a show with him 11 years later.' He initially claimed he is 'absolutely not' planning to join the legendary disco/funk outfit onstage but later said: 'We'll see.' 'I think that would be an embarrassment to me and everybody who knows me. I'd probably start dancing or something,' he joked. Stewart has already supported Duran Duran in Greece. 'Somebody dropped out of a show. I was on holiday in Crete and got a call like, 'Could you be in Athens in two days?' 'And I just had to scramble the band, fly them over from Belfast, and I think we played to, like, 15,000 people in Athens. It was about 40 degrees, and I honestly nearly died, but it was good fun.'
