Simon RushworthGareth — Steal Your Thunder EP (BMG)
According to Gareth, this dreamy five-track set is his ‘introduction to the world’.
Well, the world better watch out.
The Nashville-based singer songwriter out of Northern Ireland supports Kip Moore on the country legend’s latest UK dates.
And that tour’s set to be a double-threat, double-header that’s going to be talked about for decades.
Gareth might boast one of the most underwhelming, understated stage names in the history of popular music.
But don’t let that fool you.
This bloke’s all about substance over style: who needs a flashy name and glitzy branding when the music’s this good?
The five-track Steal Your Thunder pulls together three of Gareth’s previously released singles with two new tunes — including the stunning title track.
And one of the voices of 2025 screams potential as he pulls out all the stops on a truly showstopping showcase.
Steal Your Thunder kicks up a storm from start to finish.
It accelerates the momentum gained from critically acclaimed stops at the Berlin, Rotterdam and London legs of this year’s C2C Festival.
And Gareth is guaranteed to garner further praise if the five tracks here are anything to go by.
If this is only the introduction, imagine how a fascinating story might unfold…
Time Don’t Wait for talent
New tunes Steal Your Thunder and Time Don’t Wait offer a tantalising glimpse into Gareth’s future.
But neither song strays too far from the heartfelt, homely vibe that’s paced his fledgling career so far.
And surely that’s the way forward.
There’s a danger Gareth’s elevation to major label star-in-waiting might gradually strip away what made him such a compelling proposition in the first place.
There’ll be inevitable pressure to iron out the creases and smooth the edges as Belfast’s biggest export since George Best gets even better.
But every time that conversation takes place Gareth should turn the talk back to Quiet In This House.
The natural blend of trad country and Irish folk at the heart of that wonderful song is impossibly alluring.
It’s Gareth’s signature sound and his obvious USP: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Already a favourite of Radio One and Radio Two, there’s no doubting the crossover appeal of an artist quite capable of becoming the UK’s answer to Noah Kahan.
It just so happens Gareth’s viral cover of Stick Season (25 million views and counting) cemented his reputation as the fastest of rising stars.
But the originals are the best.
Steal Your Thunder? If you’re a country artist on either side of the Pond then beware: Gareth might just do that.
