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From Football Field to Music Stardom: Glasgow's Next Big Thing
19 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Shay O'Dowd, once a football hopeful, is now a rising Scottish music artist.
- He won the Breakthrough Artist award at the Scottish Music Awards.
- O'Dowd collaborates with Jamie Squire, touring member of The 1975.
Shay O'Dowd, a 22-year-old from Glasgow, has pivoted from football aspirations to a promising career in music. After winning the Breakthrough Artist award at the Scottish Music Awards in November, O'Dowd is gaining significant recognition. He previously hated piano lessons but discovered his passion for songwriting in high school, inspired by his first gig seeing the band Picture This.
His confidence grew after penning the ballad 'Since We Divided,' which received unexpected praise from his parents, marking a turning point. O'Dowd then studied at a music college while performing gigs, eventually securing management with the same team as fellow Glasgow artist Joesef. Like Joesef, his King Tut's Wah Wah Hut show sold out before any music was officially released.
Currently, O'Dowd is collaborating with Jamie Squire, a touring member for The 1975 and part of the Strictly Come Dancing house band. They have worked on songs expected to be released next year. O'Dowd, who writes emotionally resonant songs heavy on piano and acoustic guitar, describes his role as a storyteller, drawing from personal experiences and observations.
