In entertainment news Ireland, it is not often a seasoned broadcaster admits to being floored by a live performance. But that is exactly what happened when Ryan Tubridy revealed he was moved to tears after hearing rising Irish singer Dave Lofts perform in studio, calling him a powerful new talent with the potential to join the country’s most respected musical voices.
Tubridy, who has spent years interviewing and introducing major performers across Irish entertainment news, reflected on the rare intensity of hearing great music up close. Drawing on memories from his Late Late Show days, he recalled the privilege of sitting just feet away from iconic artists and witnessing the kind of live television moments that can never quite be recreated in polished, pre-recorded formats.
A live performance that stopped Ryan Tubridy in his tracks
The broadcaster said his latest musical discovery came through an unexpected source: actor Russell Crowe. During a dinner in London, Crowe asked Tubridy if he knew Dave Lofts and then played one of the singer’s tracks through the restaurant speakers. According to Tubridy, the effect was immediate. Conversation faded, attention shifted, and the room was gripped by a voice full of force and feeling.
Crowe, who had apparently seen Lofts perform while filming in Scotland, has since become an enthusiastic supporter, championing the singer and encouraging others to listen. That early backing only added to the intrigue before Lofts later appeared as a guest on Tubridy’s radio programme.
Why Dave Lofts is suddenly part of the conversation
When Lofts arrived in studio, Tubridy described him as warm, energetic and bursting with personality. But it was the performance itself that truly landed. Singing Just A Man with what Tubridy called emotional weight and striking vocal range, Lofts delivered a rendition that built steadily before reaching a dramatic, heartfelt finish.
For Tubridy, the moment was deeply affecting. He said there was a long silence afterwards and admitted he had tears in his eyes as the song ended. For a broadcaster known for his long career around major talent, that kind of reaction says plenty.
What stood out about the performance
- A raw, live vocal with no sense of overproduction
- Emotional storytelling in the lyrics
- A commanding stage presence even in a studio setting
- The ability to create an instant connection with listeners
That sort of response is exactly why stories like this travel quickly through music news Ireland and the wider pop culture Ireland conversation. Audiences are always looking for an authentic new voice, and Tubridy’s endorsement gives Lofts a notable boost.
What to know about Dave Lofts now
Lofts already has an EP available on Spotify and is currently touring, with Tubridy suggesting that intimate venues may not contain him for long. For readers who follow celebrity news Ireland, concert news Ireland and broader entertainment updates Ireland, this is the kind of early-stage artist story worth watching before it tips fully into the mainstream.
If Tubridy’s instincts are right, Lofts could soon become a much bigger name across Irish music news and beyond. At the very least, his latest performance has sparked the kind of attention that emerging artists dream of: genuine praise from people who have seen almost everything.
The takeaway
For anyone keeping up with entertainment news Ireland, Ryan Tubridy’s emotional reaction to Dave Lofts feels less like casual praise and more like a serious marker of what may come next. In a crowded music landscape, a live performance that leaves a veteran presenter in tears is worth noticing — and Dave Lofts now looks like a name audiences will be hearing a lot more of.
