Lews Castle, Stornoway, Friday 16 July 2004

LET IT BE SAID, this was the evening on which the Heb Celtic’s plans for big time expansion were fully realised, and the new big top seemed hardly big enough on the night for what was without doubt one of the finest night’s music ever staged at this festival. The risk with change is, of course, that the good qualities in the old might be forsaken for the promise of grander things in the new. But that was not the case on Castle Green. This was the Heb Celt experience full on, only bigger.

Opinions on the night were divided. Some went for the Peatbogs as being the best in show, others The Saw Doctors; either way consensus amongst the huge crowd present was that both bands were in fine fettle. And that is the key to this festival: the fact that the fan base is strong and adoring is vital, but its unique quality is what it brings out in the performers.

The Peatbogs, pied pipers of the inhibitions, skirled us, rocked us, set the feet free and generally transported the throng into a better place that only music has the key to. How do you follow that? Was a common refrain in the brief interval.

But then on comes Ireland’s finest rockers, The Saw Doctors. In the preview article to this festival, I predicted that the Doctors would be welcomed as though returning to their spiritual home, and if anything that turned out to be an understatement. They played their greatest hits, some newer stuff and as many anthems as would grace the opening of any Olympics.

In the mix was probably the deepest, most moving version of The Green and Red of Mayo this writer has witnessed – as many already know, the sky above Tuam is the same sky as that above Stornoway, crossed with the same clouds, the same bright days and dark days, and the whole shared vista is in their music.

This was a gig that if you were there you’ll be saying so for many years to come, a gig to dine out on, a gig to reflect on in tranquillity: ecstatic, bonkers, a madhouse of energy, profound and beautiful, I’ll carry it with me for ages.

© Peter Urpeth, 2004

Related Sites:

• Hebridean Celtic Festival website