Ports

Ports are a four-piece band from Northern Ireland. The group consists of Steven McCool on bass and vocals, Mark O'Doherty on drums, Ryan Griffiths on guitar and Conor Mason on piano. Their music is associated with folk, rock, indie and hip hop.

Early attention and live appearances

After releasing their first demo, I’d Let You Win, the band attracts positive reviews and is described by BBC Introducing as both a “Flavour of the Month” and one of its “Ones to Watch”. This leads to extensive airplay on BBC Radio 1, RTÉ and other stations. Ports also gain wider recognition in Ireland after performing at Other Voices in Derry-Londonderry, where they step in for Two Door Cinema Club.

Following that appearance, they return to the Other Voices stage at Wilton’s Music Hall in London, performing alongside Villagers, John Grant, SOAK and Imelda May.

Debut album

Ports spend much of 2014 recording their debut album, The Devil’s A Songbird. The record is mixed by Dan Long, who also works with Local Natives and Queens of the Stone Age. The album includes the single Gameplay, the first of three singles taken from it.