Eye Matter was delighted that so many members enjoyed our exclusive concert with Irish singer/songwriter Andrea Begley, on Tuesday, 27th January.
Andrea and her husband Leon (on guitar) joined us on Zoom from their home
in County Tyrone (Northern Ireland). She rose to fame in 2013 after winning The Voice UK and, since then, has released two acclaimed albums. Andrea’s appearance with Eye Matter follows countless other prestigious venues such as the Albert Hall, Windsor Castle and the Olympic Stadium in Beijing.
Rachel was first to send her appreciation on our WhatsApp group, “Thank you,Andrea Begley and husband, guitarist, for a stunning exclusive concert live from Northern Ireland. What an amazing treat for a rainy January evening; thank you,Suzie, for making it happen. That was an hour I will treasure, and wonderful to share with so many other members around the UK who were enjoying it as well.”
For just over one hour. Andrea sang an eclectic range of songs, both acapella and accompanied by her husband on his guitar. Her clear voice soared effortlessly over Irish folk songs, classics from John Denver and ‘Breakfast at Tiffanys’. Click here to hear a live recording of her singing one of these songs:
Clive enjoyed the concert with his family, “That was lovely, my wife & daughter also enjoyed it. It was lovely to hear such beautiful live music with my friends at Eye Matter. Andrea has a great voice and personality; she was ably accompanied by Leon. Thanks very much to all at Eye Matter for organising.”
Andrea, who is now registered blind, was first diagnosed with Glaucoma when she was 9 years old. Music has always been part of Andrea’s life, who is the niece of the renowned Irish singer Philomena Begley. Her gentle, yet confident manner revealed how the concept of blindness is still stereotyped.
She told us, “When I released an original score of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Dancing in the Dark,’ one person on social media asked, ‘Was this song chosen because of my blindness?’ Whereas another said Springsteen would be turning in his grave at her version despite the rocker still being very much alive!.
Rosie said, “Thank you for the lovely Zoom concert by Andrea Begley and her husband on the guitar. It was great. I was so excited when I heard she was going to do this for Eye Matter, as remembered watching her win The Voice about 9 years ago. I follow her music on Spotify and Instagram. Thank you. It was lovely.”
Eye Matter appreciated Andrea’s honesty about shared frustrations of asking Lady A to play Andrea Begley when it continually mistakes the request for the Italian opera singer Andreas Bocelli! We laughed when she explained that even speaking in a clipped English accent hadn’t made any difference – perhaps some Italian opera lovers have also discovered the lovely Andrea Begley this way too!
Karen agreed,” I was so delighted to hear Andrea sing live with Eye Matter, as I also watched her on The Voice.”
Throughout 2026 we will be featuring a range of live concerts so keep checking in for more information.
Eye Matter was delighted so many members enjoyed our exclusive concert with Irish singer/songwriter Andrea Begley, on Tuesday 27th January.
Andrea and her husband Leon (on guitar), joined us on Zoom from their home
in Co Tyrone (Northern Ireland). She rose to fame in 2013, after winning the Voice UK and since then, has released two acclaimed albums. Andrea’s appearance with Eye Matter follows countless other prestigious venues such as the Albert Hall, Winsor Castle and the Olympic Stadium in Beijing.
Rachel was first to send her appreciation on our What’s App group, “Thank you Andrea Begley and husband guitarist, for a stunning exclusive concert live from Northern Ireland. What an amazing treat for a rainy January evening; thank you Suzie for making it hppen, that was an hour I will treasure and wonderful to share with so many other members around the UK who were enjoying it as well.”
For just over one hour. Andrea sang an ecliptical range of songs both acapella and accompanied by her husband on his guitar. Her clear voice soared effortlessly over Irish folk songs, classics from John Denver and ‘Breakfast at Tiffanys’. Click here to hear a live recording of her singing one of these songs:
Clive enjoyed the concert with his family, “That was lovely my wife & daughter also enjoyed it. It was lovely to hear such beautiful live music with my friends at Eye Matter. Andrea has a great voice and personality, she was ably accompanied by Liam. Thanks very much to all at Eye Matters for organising.”
Andrea who is now registered blind was first diagnosed with Glaucoma when she was 9 years old. Music has always been part of Andreas life who is the niece of renowned Irish singer Philomena Begley. Her gentle, yet confident manner revealed how the concept of blindness is still stereotyped, she told us, “when I released an original score of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark’ one person on social media asked was this song chosen because of my blindness?” whereas another said Springsteen would be turning in his grave at her version despite the rocker stillbeing very much alive!.
Rosie said, “Thank you for the lovely zoom concert by Andrea Begley and her husband on the guitar. It was great . I was so excited when I heard she was going to do this for Eye Matter, as remembered watching her win The Voice about 9 years ago. I follow her music on Spotify and instagram. Thank you twas lovely.”
We appreciated her honesty about shared frustrations of asking Lady A to play Andrea Begley when it continuelly mistakes the request for the Italian opera singer Andreas Bocelli.! We laughed when she explained that even speaking in a clipped English accent hadn’t made any difference – perhaps some Italian opera lovers have also discovered the lovely Andrea Begley this way too!
Karen agreed, ”I was so delighted to hear Andrea sing live with Eye Matter, as I also, watched her on The Voice .”