Music / Review
Review: Breabach, Bristol Folk House – ‘Bringing absolute joy from the moment they stepped on stage’
Out on the streets of Bristol there was a real sense of excitement and fun this weekend with the Bristol Light Festival spreading so much joy. Much the same can be said of Scottish folk band Breabach who performed at Bristol Folk House last night, bringing absolute joy from the moment they stepped on to the stage.
Fifteen years into an award-studded career and Breabach are relishing being back on the road. Like most touring musicians they must have missed a full Folk House on a Sunday night, they must have missed a stamping and grinning crowd but last night certainly made up for it.
This is contemporary folk with not a single quarter given. Set after set of wildly danceable instrumental tunes; guitar, fiddle, double bass and pipes meshing seamlessly. Each tune builds and builds and, just like the very best dancefloor destroying bangers, you wait for the drop. When it hits, there are those smiles again with even more whooping and hollering.
is needed now More than ever
There are five musicians on stage, each an absolute virtuoso. James Lindsay’s double bass throbs gently behind each tune, Ewan Robertson adds subtle guitar and Megan Henderson plays a transcendental fiddle, sings with the most elegiac, timeless voice and step dances at a dizzying pace – how she keeps up is anyone’s guess. It’s Calum MacCrimmon and Conal McDonagh that came very close to stealing the show though, tackling an array of whistles and pipes (including twin attack bagpipes!), they added a manic energy to the performance.
In an evening of standout tunes perhaps Muriwai is the winner. Inspired by a trip to New Zealand and with Haka dances firmly in mind, the instruments simply chase each other around, excited as puppies, joyous as lights, giddy as a kid out after bedtime.
Just in case Bristol needed anything else to celebrate this weekend, Breabach lit the place up.
……………………………………………
This Bristol24/7 content is made possible by contributions from our members. In February and March, we are on a mission to get to 1,000 supporter members. Membership is £5 a month and allows us to continue our important work bringing you the best stories in Bristol. If you enjoy reading our articles, please consider supporting us and join today.
……………………………………………
Main photo: Gavin McNamara
Read more: Folk House Cafe to Take Over Spike Cafe
Listen to the latest Bristol 24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
