Dòchas, Wetherby Festival, West Yorkshire, UK (October 22nd 2007)
Celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this year, Wetherby Festival is a biennial arts festival that takes place in the historic market town of Wetherby, West Yorkshire. The festival promotes an eclectic blend of arts, combining some well-known names with fresh, local talent. The range of delights available this year included a symphony orchestra, a gospel choir, taiko drummers, local drama groups, various local walks and talks, and no less than three traditional folk music acts... and an ABBA tribute band!
Tonight's gig was one of the folk music acts -- a vibrant Scottish six-piece by the name of Dòchas. Amongst its ranks, Dòchas boasts the captivating vocals of Gaelic singer, Julie Fowlis, whose talents also extend to playing whistles and highland bagpipes; Shetland fiddler, Jenna Reid; Carol-Anne Mackay on highland bagpipes, small pipes and accordion; Martin O'Neil on bodhrán; and Kathleen Boyle on accordion and keyboards. Tonight, Dòchas were joined by Eamon Doorley, who played his guzouki -- the body of a guitar with the neck of a bouzouki!
Right from the outset, Dòchas cut a fine sound with a set of lively jigs, and were warmly welcomed by an eagerly receptive audience. It was immediately obvious that tonight was going to be a memorable occasion, and Dòchas didn't put a foot wrong all night.
Total and utter beauty was provided by the slower numbers, sung with resplendent grace by Julie Fowlis. "Eilean Uibhist Mo Rùin" and particularly "Bothan Àirigh Am Bràigh Raithneach," were absolutely breathtaking -- there are few singers who are able to hold an audience spellbound in quite the same manner as this beautiful Hebridean lass, momentarily transporting you to a most blissful place with her gorgeously sublime performances. The support of Kathleen Boyle's understated keyboards to Julie's vocals adds further to the ethereal ambience. In total contrast, were a couple of sets of puirt a beul (mouth music), that moved along with a staggering tempo -- Julie Fowlis surely now takes her place as one of the finest exponents of this distinctive singing style.
The real powerhouse of the Dòchas sound is provided by Carol-Anne Mackay's highland bagpipes -- the sheer volume of them is enough to send shivers down your spine. The pipes really lifted the sound of the band, and even more so when there were two sets playing in tandem, in their full glory. Fiddler Jenna Reid's distinctive Shetland style was often drowned out in the mix, but an intense solo set left the audience in no doubt as to her incredible skill, played out with poise and passion.
Martin O'Neil's bodhrán playing is always a revelation -- his unique charismatic style is unmistakeable and brings a contemporary pulse to the heart of Dòchas. The band's encore began with Martin's bodhrán solo, gathering intensity as it progressed, and leaving the audience on the edge of their seats with anticipation -- there was a palpable sense of awe as the beats gathered pace and intricacy. The encore was rounded off in rousing style with "Donalla Beaton / Nelson Mandela's Welcome to the City of Glasgow," with the dual highland bagpipes of Carol-Anne Mackay and Julie Fowlis bringing the sound of Scotland to the Yorkshire Dales for one last time, and receiving an enthusiastic and thoroughly deserved final round of applause from the audience.
Dòchas are a mighty force to be reckoned with in Scottish music, and you will rarely hear better than their fervent live performance.
