Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, 12-15 July 2006

SUSAN SZYMBORSKI: This summer I was extremely privileged to win a competition to be a reviewer at the Hebridean Celtic Festival. But setting out for Lewis, I was nervous on more than one account. Not only was I being propelled into the sky in a somewhat rickety plane, I was also being launched into a music scene I knew little about.

I needn’t have worried. This inclusive festival had something for everyone, be it Celtic Rock, Punk or Reggae, and I came away raving about almost every gig. Two performances in particular seized my attention.

Scottish band Bodega have an impressive C.V. The young five-piece first met and began playing together in 2005 at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music in Plockton. Winning the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2006, the band enjoyed a meteoric rise. Since then they have had a hectic schedule touring, recording their debut album (due out in August) and continuing their musical education.

Watching Bodega set up for a live radio set at Stornoway’s Woodlands Centre Café, it was difficult to match this reputation with the subdued teens. Even June Naylor, the band’s quiet and polite clarasach player expressed surprise at the band’s stellar success, exclaiming of the Young Folk Awards, “I don’t know how we did it, but we managed to win.”

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This forward looking festival is as happy nurturing up-and-coming local talent as it is celebrating daring international acts

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But as soon as the quintet took to the stage for their first Lewis gig, the hype suddenly made sense. It was instantly obvious that they live for music and love playing together. They delivered a brilliant mix of original Gaelic compositions and American folk tunes, with a varied array of traditional Scottish instruments such as fiddles and pipes.

Their fingers were lightening-fast, their voices harmonised beautifully and their performance seemed to be note perfect. Lead singer, Lewis’s Norrie MacIver, was particularly memorable, with a mature, powerful voice and hilarious banter!

There was much audience participation and the fact that the band broke no less than two strings is testament to the sheer fun of the evening. More than this though, Bodega’s approach to traditional music is exciting. It has an edge which has to be seen to be understood. And if there is any justice, people will see them. These guys deserve to be bigger than Franz Ferdinand!

The Crooked Jades by comparison, are a well-established American act from San Francisco, having appeared in the soundtrack of the George Clooney movie, ‘Oh Brother Where Art Thou.’ They describe themselves as “old-time revivalists,” playing a range of instruments from fiddles to banjos in the style of rural American settler music from the 1900’s.

Placing their gig in the South of Harris then, was an organisational masterstroke. The band came face to face with some of the traditions they so fervently laud. As one local commented, “they certainly fit in here with their flat tweed caps!”

Their music, however, also includes an interesting modern twist. They openly reject bland commercial music, valuing instead “the beauty of difference.” This is evident in their off-kilter rhythms, unusual lyrics, flattened, sliding notes and, of course, the initial adjective in their name.

Although the small audience seemed initially bemused about what to make of this quirky act, a strong, appreciative bond developed between the two camps by the end of the night. A bond, which given the brilliant match of music, values and venue, seemed wholly inevitable.

These acts are perfect examples of the beauty of the Heb Celt Fest. This forward looking festival is as happy nurturing up-and-coming local talent as it is celebrating daring international acts. A fantastic festival, which easily captured my imagination.

SARAH HUNTER: It was two smaller yet in no way less talented groups that were to be the highlight of my festival experience. Saltfishforty and Mauvais Sort play music which remains true to its Celtic roots but is enriched with more contemporary influences.

Saltfishforty consists of two lads who met at school in Orkney. Enemies at first – something to do with a rather dirty game of football – their friendship was borne of a mutual interest in music; traditional Celtic tunes as well as rock and blues.

When Brian Cromarty (guitar and mandolin) and Douglas Montgomery (fiddle) stepped onto the stage in An Lanntair – Stornoway’s fantastic new arts centre – I was expecting something of the quiet, mellow variety. I was thrilled to be proved wrong; this little band is all about big music.

Mauvais Sort also belted out big beats. However, as a six piece featuring accordion, violin, guitar, bass, mandolin, drums, percussion, feet, and voice this was to be expected.

Driven by a love of traditional Quebec music they formed six years ago and have since achieved international success with their three albums. The music is recognisably Celtic with the accordion and fiddle playing an important role but there is an undeniable indie-rock sound about their work which perhaps shouldn’t work, but does.

They seemed undaunted by the huge stage in the marquee or the crowd of thousands, instead they revelled in both.

The experience was one of high drama. The intense explosive music stirred the crowd – many of whom knew little about the band – and they jumped and danced about madly, displaying the traditional two fingered rock salute.

Mauvais Sort worked hard to create this fantastic atmosphere, the drummer ran down to embrace the cheering crowd, the lead singer told us the story behind each song and even got us to join in at one point: “We drink! Drink! Drink! We drink not often!” we sang loudly in French, or at least as close an approximation as we could manage.

For me, the best music conjures up images and emotions, taking me back in time or into a world unknown; both Saltfishforty and Mauvais Sort managed this with apparent ease.

Saltfishforty excel in surprising the uninitiated listener. On announcing a tune called ‘Beef n Tatties’ I expected a traditional Scottish song as comforting as the dish it was named for. Instead the fast and furious sound that followed evoked in me wild and feverish feelings as I was swept along by the music.

Mauvais Sort have the same skill. Their music – eclectic, electric and always in French – has an ominous, mysterious quality that awakens something a little dark inside, something that would cause chaos if it wasn’t kept on a tight rein. Their name is incredibly fitting; Mauvais Sort means bad spell.

Both bands have an attitude that is a little tongue in cheek. At one point Mauvais Sort donned wigs and got the audience to copy disco moves reminiscent of that classic musical, ‘Grease’. Saltfishforty played an amusing little ditty – ‘The Breadbin Blues’ – where the line “Oh well it’s too early, I need some tea and toast” no doubt struck a chord with most of those listening.

These are musicians that innovate where others imitate; their work excites and inspires people. These are musicians with real talent who know how to use it. These are musicians you should see.

(Read more of Susan and Sarah’s work on the festival website – see link below)

© Susan Szymborski and Sarah Hunter, 2006

Link

• Hebridean Celtic Festival