Stornoway, Friday 18 July 2003

FROM EARLY MORNING the festival office had the sign in its window: ‘Tonight’s events are sold out’.

The Waterboys at Heb Celt 2003

The Waterboys would play to a packed house, as would McGoldrick, McSherry, O’Connor and Byrne. As previously flagged-up on this site, The Waterboys have enjoyed something of an Indian Summer over recent years  with the success of material such as Fisherman’s Blues. But, the latest album is a self-indulgent dud, and the threat that Mike Scott would inflict the new material on a late-night festival crowd whipped into a frenzy by the dazzling panache of McGoldrick and Co., promised to generate a volatile musical situation that could have seen band and audience at odds.

Being Mike Scott, a perverse thrid-way was found. He played all the old stuff, and yes we did see the whole of the moon. The Waterboys, on last night’s showing, play their own back catalogue like they are actually a Waterboys tribute band.

For all the interesting meanders in his recent career, Mike Scott’s true colours are those of a rock musician. So, this gig came complete with thrashy drummer – who joined in the singing through a Phil Collins style over-head mic – and a keyboardist who really wants to be a concert pianist and who played one of the most laughably grandiose Classical interludes this writer has ever had the misfortune to witness.

Mike Scott came in after the initial cadenza was nearly over with a modal ballad and it was, all of a sudden, Liztomania meets Donovan. Things were getting so out of hand that I half-expected the piano to induce a heart-stopping theatrical moment when the spot-lights would swing out of the marquee and onto the turrets of the castle, picking out Mike Scott as he embarked on a really, really big solo. But that opportunity was missed.

Most irritating though was the Will O The Wisp fiddler who hopped around the stage, ducked and dived on electric fiddle, nearly playing some reel-like melodies. Rock violin, as all viewers will concur, is one aspect of the 70s that should be eschewed when it comes to retro styling. I also have a real dislike for bands who show-up at festivals of this kind complete with the full deck of roadies who loaf around in the shadows handing out 12-string acoustics and electric mandolins. It’s so uncouth, and all the intention is not merited on purely musical terms.

A far better closing act would have been the first gig of the night. This was classic Hebridean Celtic Festival stuff. McGoldrick and Co. exude a passion for the music that is totally engaging and the feel-good factor is everything a late-night festival should deliver.

A note about the event itself. The Hebridean Celtic Festival organisers have excelled themselves this year. The Waterboys were a worthwhile gamble and the fact that they were in Stornoway is a tribute to the work of those who put this thing together. Last night was a sell out, and I would estimate that they probably had in excess of 2,500 people in that marquee.

That is great for the music and great for islands. Summer on Lewis without this Festival is now unthinkable. The mix of music has been special, the town has been bulging at the seams and let’s hope that the impetus that this kind of event can bring will foster greater commitment from those who tie and untie the purse strings to the creative economy of the region.

© Peter Urpeth, 2003