Lau Glasgow City Halls Celtic Connections 2014

The stage at the City Halls was set with a line of glowing lights and the sign on Martin Green's keyboards, which was set on it's side, proclaimed 'I Love The NHS'. Lau of course is an Orcadian word that means 'natural light.' 

Lau are an award-winning folk band who have been gaining attention last year for their music of traditional folk voices and traditional folk song themes mixed with contemporary influences. They played on the BBCs Jools Holland show in 2012. The band are - respected singer songwriter and guitarist Kris Drever, acclaimed fiddler Aidan O’Rourke and an innovative accordionist Martin Green.  

 

They played mostly instrumental tunes and also some songs. Kris sang with his warm voice the songs Ghost and Midnight Feast.  Martin said their Ghost EP was about social migration and documented how we are stronger through our diversity.  

During the concert tonight Lau played one of the first performances for the UK's first New Music Biennial as part of Glasgow 2014 Events - 'The Bell That Never Rang.' 
The piece was commissioned by Celtic Connections and PRSF and composed and performed along with the contemporary experimental strings of the Elysian Quartet.  The music was carried through with Drever’s subtle guitar, while the layering textures and challenge of Lau’s traditional folk sound worked perfectly with the classical musicians.

Kris often leans forward on his guitar and they pull their energies together. Aidan is a powerful fiddler who moves a lot as he plays. While Martin experiments with varied soundscapes, and on one tune he played the soothing sounds of the sea

Lau are an experimental outfit and also work on Lau-land mini festivals and on other collaborations and they are taking folk in new directions and crossing boundaries with their music.

Quote Aidan O'Rourke on Lau's website - the band's music makes excursions into jazz, world, Gaelic and classical music and fiddling to the fore of another magnificent supergroup, Kan. “We’re folk musicians but firstly we’re musicians with a love of different styles and we don’t think we’re cheating on anybody by drawing on that. We all love and play a wide range of music but what we have in common is a deep love of hardcore traditional music.”

They were well supported by Canadian Annabelle Chvostek, who was previously with the Wailin Jennys. She had a silky soft-toned voice and played country folk tunes with echoing violin and electric bass.    

I saw several other faces from the Scottish music scene at the concert, such as Louis Abbot of Admiral Fallow (Lau supported his band at the Queens Hall Edinburgh last year).

The event was preceded at the City Halls by the press launch for the UK's first New Music Biennial as part of Glasgow 2014 Events. (funded by PRSF for music)

http://www.lau-music.co.uk/

New Music Biennial

Lau at the City Hall's premier

New Music Biennial
There was a press launch at the Glasgow City Halls 30th January for the Premiere of 'The Bell That Never Rang' by Lau w/ Elysian Quartet.

The event was funded by PRSF For Music for the UK's first New Music Biennial as part of the Glasgow 2014 program.  It consists of 20 pieces of music from composers and performers across the UK which have been inspired by an international collaboration of idea. 
 
All the new pieces will be performed at two showcases over one weekend - one at London's Southbank Centre (4-6 July) and Glasgow Concert Halls (1-2 August). These performances will also be available to listen to on BBC Radio 3.  
Aims - To explore the connections between audiences and artist and to take art to new places and new audiences.
The projects are also about how people view Scotland - how people see us, what we value. 

The launch was presented by Vanessa Reid - Executive Director PRS for Music Foundation, who praised Glasgow’s creative spirit and commented that the city never tires of experimenting. 
oundation, who praised Glasgow’s creative spirit and commented that the city never tires of experimenting. 
http://www.newmusicbiennial.com/lau-premiere/ 

Imelda May Old Fruitmarket Celtic Connections 2014

May rocked the Old Fruitmarket.  

She sparkled on stage and moved and shimmied with a free energy as she bounced her mic, clapped and appeared to enjoy her set of upbeat dance tunes.

May has a fine set of vocal pipes, as well as loads of personality.   

She performed songs from her forthcoming new album due in 2014 and also older favourites - such as the songs Mayhem and Here Comes Johnny.  

For her encore she sang along to only a ukulele, a song Dreams Are Free, and then with full band she sang Breakdown.
 

 

 

There was lots of clapping along to the songs and the packed hall was full of both younger and aging rockers eager to relive fun times! 

Imelda Mary Higham, from Dublin has had amazing success and she clearly fills a niche for rockabilly and rock n roll nostalgia. 

RM Hubbert Concert Hall Celtic Connections 2014

Guitarist and singer songwriter RM Hubbert supported Glasgow band Mogwai at the Glasgow concert hall. I had read that Hubbert's 2013 album had won the SAY (Scottish Album of the Year Award) 2013, so I came with some expectations to this concert. Even so, some artists take you off guard and as I have followed music over many years it can be all too easy to become jaded hearing samey songs.

Hubbert appeared genuine and unassuming musician, whose music was all about his guitar.

He played mostly instrumental tunes. For his second song he played his own very good interpretation of I Once Loved a Lass, a favourite folk song of mine. His next tune had moody beating drums guitar and a husky voice. He showed a clear understanding that music is firstly about what moves us and secondly about techniques and using those skilled to best ability.

He played his tunes with unexpected subtleties, strong strumming, dancing fingers, slow pauses, hesitant steps guitar strings plucking and questioning notes. He also managed to hold the packed concert hall attention throughout with both his informal chat and well crafted tunes.

On one particularly emotional tune, entitle For Joe, he spoke first about his parents death and that he felt able to speak to an audience - and I guess he gets to speak through his music too. This tune had talking guitar and expressed the many complex feelings of grief and loss – from  missing you to happy memories and returned to missing you feelings.

 

The singer Aiden Moffat joined Hubbert on stage of Car Song which was another highlight.    

I was truly impress and even bought the CD - this doesn't happen a lot! 

Hubbert is a member Scottish post rock band El Hombre Trajeado, and also a member of the Glaswegian DIY music scene since 1991.