Ireland’s rising LGBTQIA+ icon, SexyTadhg (pronounced Sexy-Tie-g), has returned with a deeply personal new single, Never Been Loved in the Daylight, and it’s already sending waves through the indie and queer music scenes. Known for their bold theatricality and politically charged artistry, Tadhg trades in their usual big band bravado for an intimate, stripped-back approach that foregrounds raw emotion and vulnerability. With just piano and vocals, the track is a stark, beautiful departure from their acclaimed EP Sexy, revealing a side of Tadhg that’s as haunting as it is heartfelt.
Recorded live in an intimate setting, Never Been Loved in the Daylight captures Tadhg’s mesmerizing stage presence and extraordinary musicianship. Produced by Daniel De Burca and mixed and mastered by Alex Borwick, the song’s stripped-down production allows Tadhg’s lyrics to breathe and resonate, transforming a simple performance into a powerful emotional journey. It’s a song that is as much about personal introspection as it is a universal ode to longing, resonating with anyone who’s felt unseen or unacknowledged.
Reflecting on the song, Tadhg opens up about the deeply personal origins of the track. Drawing inspiration from solitary reflection during the pandemic, the syncopated piano rhythm and the line “I’ve never been loved in the daylight, the sun always scares them away” poured out in a torrent of emotion. From quiet bedroom writing sessions to performing in Dublin’s cabaret scene for the first time, the song became a vessel for catharsis. Tadhg recalls their debut cabaret performance at Bellobar: “Once I’d finished I found myself enveloped by a roaring applause… Every performance of this song since feels like a moment of healing for me and a reminder that we’re never alone in loneliness.”
Never Been Loved in the Daylight continues the momentum of Tadhg’s debut EP, Sexy, a bold celebration of queer joy, love, and empowerment, while confronting struggle and stigma head-on. Praised by tastemakers including BBC Radio 6, RTE 2FM, Dork, Clash, and Hot Press, the EP cemented Tadhg as a fearless voice in Irish music, blending big band jazz, pop flair, and theatrical soul. This latest single, however, signals a shift toward introspection and emotional intimacy, proving Tadhg’s versatility and depth as an artist.
Beyond the studio, SexyTadhg has captivated audiences across Ireland and the UK, from sold-out headline shows to festival main stages, and on national TV, including Ireland AM, Six O’Clock Show, and Irish-language programs Síorstíl and Glúin Z. With every performance, Tadhg turns vulnerability into empowerment, drawing fans into a world that is both fiercely political and deeply personal. Never Been Loved in the Daylight isn’t just a single—it’s a statement: SexyTadhg is an artist unafraid to bare their soul and, in doing so, make us feel a little less alone ourselves.
