By the time Bec O’Malley stepped on stage in London to support Josh Ross last October, he’d only been back in the UK for a matter of days. Fresh from a writing trip to Nashville, back home in Manchester, and suddenly on a train south after a last-minute call from his agent, the whole thing felt appropriately chaotic.
And somehow, completely on brand.
Because right now, Bec O’Malley is building a serious name in country music without having officially released a single track.
His TikTok bio reads: “Singer with no songs out” – and it isn’t a joke. With more than 85,000 followers, a fast-growing reputation across the UK and Ireland, and crowds already fully invested in songs that technically don’t exist yet, he’s become one of the most fascinating breakout stories in British country.
From Manchester, Via Ireland, With Country in His DNA
O’Malley’s path into country music didn’t come from imitation – it came from instinct.
Raised in Manchester in a big Irish family, he grew up surrounded by traditional music and storytelling. He points to the natural crossover between Irish folk and classic country as the foundation of his sound.
“There’s a big connection between the two,” he explains. “I’m not gonna sing about trucks – I’m from Manchester. I just want it to feel real.”
Early influences ranged from Oasis to George Strait, before more modern names like Ernest, Zach Top and Morgan Wallen helped shape the direction he’s now carving out for himself.
Why Ireland Is Already Talking About Him
In Ireland – particularly in the North – O’Malley’s name is already circulating in country bars and music circles.
During the interview, fellow musician Weston Loney explained that people regularly bring Bec up in conversations alongside major US names, despite the fact he hasn’t formally released a track.
“In Ireland, country is massive,” Loney says. “Every kitchen has Merle Haggard playing while someone’s making an Ulster fry. Every bar I go into, they’re like, this guy, Bec O’Malley needs to release a song.”
Every weekend back in Manchester, O’Malley still plays Irish bars, blending traditional favourites with country material, learning what works from real people rather than algorithms.
A Songwriter Without a Rulebook
O’Malley’s songwriting approach is deliberately loose.
He stores titles, phrases and half-built thoughts in his phone and builds songs from feeling rather than formula. Some start with chords, others with lyrics, others with nothing more than a mood.
“You never really know where it’s gonna land,” he says. “It always ends up somewhere you didn’t expect.”
Among the growing list of unreleased songs are “Let You Go”, “See It From Here” and “Too Far Gone”, all earmarked for release in the New Year.
Studio Teasers & A Turning Point Coming
While he may still be officially unreleased, fans have noticed a shift in recent months.
Across social media, O’Malley has begun dropping subtle hints about what’s coming next – sharing photos from recording studios and behind-the-scenes moments that strongly suggest music is finally on the way.
It feels less like a question of if, and more a question of when.
Live Shows Built on Real Connection
On stage, Bec works instinctively. He reads a room and adjusts in real time, thriving on crowd interaction.
His shows don’t follow scripts. He reads the crowd, bends the setlist, leans into moments. And sometimes, he draws hard lines.
One Manchester show became instantly legendary when a group of Manchester City fans started winding him up mid-set. A lifelong United fan, O’Malley stopped playing entirely.
“I’m not playing another song until you boys sling it,” he told them.
They left.
The gig, by his own account, “was class after that.”
Nashville, Ambition & Dream Collaborations
A recent trip to Nashville gave him a glimpse of the world he’s working towards: daily writing sessions, producer meetings, and writing rooms filled with people living and breathing country music.
He’s ambitious about what comes next. When asked who he’d choose for a dream tour slot, he didn’t overthink it.
“Morgan Wallen,” he laughed. “Might be a generic answer – but we’d have some craic. That tour bus is going into a wall, man.”
He also speaks highly of Ernest, calling him one of the most exciting writers in the current scene.
Major Festivals Before a Single Drop
Despite not having released music yet, his live bookings are already reaching serious levels.
Earlier in 2025 he supported Hardy during his European tour at Amsterdam and Birmingham. In 2026, Bec will appear at the newly launched State Fayre, sharing the bill with rock giants Kings of Leon and The Black Crowes – a rare position for a completely independent, unreleased artist. Looking further ahead, he’s also confirmed for Country Calling.
Chaos, Charm & What’s Coming Next
Bec’s reputation is already becoming folklore. Weston recalls one Manchester show where the band were quietly warming up with sparkling water, until Bec walked in, slammed a bottle of Jack Daniel’s on the table and announced:
“Right b*tches, let’s start this thing.”
That duality – chaos and charm, bravado and heart – is exactly what makes him so compelling.
For now, he’s still the “singer with no songs out.”
But the songs are coming.
The crowds are already there.
And the festivals are starting to line up.
Bec O’Malley isn’t chasing a moment.
He’s catching up with one that, somehow, already started without him.
Bec O’Malley
Hometown: Manchester, UK
Heritage: Irish roots
Tagline: “Singer with no songs out”
TikTok following: 85,000+
A rising name in UK country, Bec O’Malley has built a loyal fanbase before releasing official music, driven by raw live shows, sharp storytelling, and viral snippets online.
