Ballyshannon artist supports ‘lovely’ Tinie Tempah at Electric Picnic

A Ballyshannon artist described the “surreal” and “unbelievable” experience of supporting Tinie Tempah on the Main Stage at Electric Picnic.

Rian McCauley performed at Ireland’s largest festival in Stradbally, after he was selected by the mainstream, award-winning Tinie Tempah as one of the four emerging Irish artists to play the set.

“It was unbelievable,” Rian told Donegal Live. “The high is dying now from last night, but it was great. Surreal. To be on stage with a big crowd. I thought it was going to be 4,000 or 5,000 people, but it was 30,000 people. The crowds were brilliant.

“I was there last year attending with a group of lads. This year, I was able to play it.”

Praising the work he did with Tinie Tempah, a two-time Brit Award winner and three-time MOBO Award winner, the 18-year–old Rian recalled: “We were in Dublin doing rehearsals and had one-to-one work with him in Camden. He told me to take it all in and engage the crowds.

“When I was rehearsing one-to-one with him, he was advising me. He told me to enjoy it, and that is what we did. He is a lovely man to work with.”

Speaking of the future, Rian spoke of his desire to produce more songs and play more gigs, especially in his home county of Donegal.

He said: “I am writing, writing, and writing. If I can get those songs pushed out, then hopefully I can get my own headline show.

I am doing a lot of work with my brother, and TikTok has been so big for me. have been in contact with a few lads, and I will do a support act in Whelan's in Dublin. I would love to get a show in Donegal. I love playing in Donegal, and it is where I am from. I hope to get it sorted.”