Concerts and Music Events

BEADY EYE AT THE BARROWLANDS  

Let’s get the controversy out of the way first, the only near controversial thing said by Liam all night was to ask them that have been sitting on the fence to get off “Cause I think some of you have been sitting on it ,Yeah?”

Liam and the guys were in Top form hammering through the whole of Different Gears with the audience singing along word perfect which pleased Liam no end and seeing the album has only just got released he should be well pleased.

Liam has never been in such good form or voice smiling as the chants of “Liam! Liam!” filled the Barrowlands between the songs.

The band played better than ever with Andy Bell’s solo on The Rocker was awesome, After a brilliant The Beat Goes On Liam apologised that there was only one song as that was all they had but promised to come back next year with more. They then played the epic psychedelic ‘The Morning Son’ with Liam in his t front man pose lapping up the response from the audience.

After leaving the stage with roars of approval they returned for a brilliant rendition of Sons of the Stage.

I would thin k Beady Eye would be well pleased with the  performance tonight,

the audience at the Barrowlands certainly was.

Mod Todd

DCR AT CELTIC CONNECTIONS

Calum Iain MacCorquodale & MalcolmJones

/support Manran & Skerryvore Celtic Connections

Opening for two of the most talked about Scottish Celtic bands at the moment was never going to be easy  but for Highlands and islands’ finest, renowned North Uist fiddler and accordionist Calum Iain MacCorquodale and Skye musician  Malcolm Jones this was just another Ceilidh to enjoy and dance.

Within minutes of the opening set of tunes members of the audience were dancing the reels to be joined by more of the ever swelling crowd as they  streamed  into the O2 ABC Glasgow.

Calum and Malcolm accompanied by a very fine Ceilidh drummer kept up the pace proving what very fine accordionist they both are.

Putting down his accordion to pick up his Fiddle Calum asked the audience if they fancied a Strip The Willow, “100×8 sets should do” he announced as he surveyed in a calculating way the now capacity crowd, as Calum put his bow to the fiddle the audience let out a tremendous roar as the sound of his unique old fashioned style playing made you want to jump up and down grab your partner and reel and swirl. And to think, this was just to warm up the crowd, take note all you young pretenders,

MANRAN  A Celtic Band On A Quest                                                               /support Skerryvore  Celtic Connections

Mànran ( tuneful sound or melody) are hoping to be the first band in the 21st century to take a Gaelic songs into the official UK top 40.                             Capercaillie  were the last Gaelic band to achieve chart success in the 20th century with the June 1995 disc Ailein Duinn (Dark Alan) which some say came about on the back of the success of the May 1995 Top 20 chart success for Runrig with An Ubhaol As Airde (The Highest Apple) .

Whatever, a great year for Gaelic with two Gaelic tunes in the charts 1995.

“Latha Math” ( Good Day ) was  written by singer guitarist  Norrie MacIver who says  “it describes an idyllic and peaceful day in his native island of Lewis in the Western Isles.”                                                                                                       Norrie’s band mates who like Norrie have been for some years entertaining the  crowds in Scotland and throughout the world in various line-ups are:                        Gary Innes (accordion),   Ewen Henderson (fiddle/ pipes) Calum Stewart (flutes/uilleann pipes) Ross Saunders (bass) and Scott Mackay (drums) Launching the single as part of the Celtic Connections Festival has proved to be very popular with the festival goers and the media attention around the chart quest has put them in the media spotlight.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Victor interviewed the band live for broadcast on Dunoon Community Radio through Celtic Music Radio Celtic Connections Live transmissions prior to the boys featuring on Reporting Scotland and on BBC online reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers in their quest for chart success and to support both the Gaelic language and traditional Scottish music.

In interviews the band have told of their reaction to recent events and their quest for chart success Band member Gary Innes, who as you all know is the captain of Scotland’s shinty squad (In 2010, Gary scored in the last minute to clinch victory for Fort William in the final of shinty’s premier trophy, the Camanachd Cup, to pick up his fifth winners’ medal) .said: “The reaction to Manran has been amazing, we have had so much support from fans and visitors to Celtic Connections with a fantastic reception at the 02 ABC and a great turn out at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and our promotional gig at Glasgow’s Apple Store on Buchanan Street.                             “We need to achieve at least 7500 downloads to make history and break into the Top 40 UK chart and we need all the support from the public to make this happen.

”Mànran maybe the hottest new band on the Scottish music scene and since coming together in June 2010 they have worked hard on their craft  playing at festivals in Europe as well as gigging here in Scotland but to choose to support Skerryvore on the eve of their single launch some may say risky others brave.

Playing to a packed house of mainly Skerryvore fans which must be said were in very high spirits having just enjoyed a fabulous lively Ceilidh set by Calum Iain MacCorquodale and Malcolm Jones Manran gave as good if not better than I think most folk expected,  from the very first tune with its “come on” false here we go starts winding the audience up in anticipation till breaking into a  crescendo of modern Scottish Celtic Sound combining driving accordion, fiddle, Highland pipes, Uillean pipes and melodic flute all kept in time by powerful drums and bass.

Listening to these new kids on the block with their powerful songs in Gaelic and English underpinned by rock steady drums and bass and watching the immediate delight of the audience I couldn’t help but wonder if Malcolm Jones he off Runrig fame, on holiday and with the previous act  was standing in the wings watching and listening and did his thoughts go back to the days when he and the rest of a young Runrig  were creating and sometimes without the delight of the audience the sound and spirit undoubtedly the forerunner to what we were now listening to now the sound of modern Gaelic Scotland.                                                                               The main thing lacking in their set and something only time will bring about was they sounded like a new band, a future excellent band, all the ingredients and the best of ingredients being there, they just need to gig more and a few more familiar tunes for audience participation and just a personal thing, not just for Manran but for all bands I Love singing along to the tunes but looking for lyrics sometimes can be a nightmare. To bring a little showbiz to the set they were joined on stage by legendary accordion player and musician Phil Cunningham who along with Calum Malcolm (Wet Wet Wet, Simple Minds and Runrig) produced the single and to finish in grand style the band were joined on stage by eight Celtic dances.                            I am glad I had this opportunity to catch Manran at this stage of their career and hope it last for a long time but these are six guys who are only too aware of the business they are in and their heads will not be easily turned nor can I see them being seduced by the business and as Gary Innes said of Manran in an interview after the concert “We want to do the best we can to promote the kind of music we all love and to further the Culture we are all part of, most of all we want to enjoy the experience that is Manran and to share it with our families friends and fans. If it all ends tomorrow we want Manran to have been a fabulous experience for everyone”.                                                I for one say Long may it last!

At the time of writing  Manran have  not have got into the UK top 40 (61) but have got number 1 in iTunes singer/songwriter chart, number 6 in the Scottish charts and number 6 in the Radio 1 indie charts.

Latha Math is still available for download  on iTunes, Foot Stompin’,   Play.com, MOG, Emusic, We7.com, Napster, Tesco digital.                                     And you can follow Manran  at   http://manran.co.uk/wp/ and also on Facebook and Twitter

SKERRYVORE    AT CELTIC CONNECTIONS

 It was only last July that Skerryvore sat in the DCR Corridor prior to their concert at the Dunoon Queens Hall reviewing their latest Album that they had just successfully launched the previous night at the O2 Glasgow.

Now after touring across the world from Chicago to Beijing with it here they are again at the O2 Glasgow for another Celtic Connections appearance by the band.

From the moment the first chord rang out it was apparent that this was what this audience was here to see. As the band weaved through their song catalogue selecting songs and tunes from their earlier first two albums as well as their latest it was noticeable that the audience where very much in tune with their work, more so than last July.

When Alex mentioned that this was the very first song he had been “forced to sing” by the other members of the band, members of  this audience had already screamed out the title as if it was “name this tune” and when mentioning that this next song was the first he had written the audience again  beat him in naming it.

The main difference to previous concerts was the audience reaction to the band from the earlier days when the “wee boys from Tiree” where playing the Ceilidh and ladies of a certain age who should have known better wanted to mother them the audience now consist mainly (still a few Ladies with mothering instincts) of mature Skerryvoreans who know the band, their history and a sign of true fan, knows most of the lyrics which can only be got by repeated listening to the cds.

From their traditional roots the band have developed their sound to embrace the sounds of modern Country Rock and Funk in a way that always compliments their traditional music and songs.

Their outstanding musicianship, their writing and arranging and the voice of singer Alec Dalglish now sit very comfortable across the band and with their gig dates getting larger by the day, this band seven years in and with a faithful following have it all there in front of them                                                    Check out Skerryvore   http://www.skerryvore.com/

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THE  RUDIMENTS AND THE IMAGINEERS

THE VIEW DUNOON 4^th DECEMBER 2010

The Rudiments at The View

Putting these two bands together on the same bill is truly inspirational

Both headline bands in their own right they are like non identical twins

who seem to have nothing in common but when together you know they

must come from the same DND.

The Rudiments a five piece band with Stuart Smith,-guitar/Vocals,

Nicky Wright –guitar vocals, Ryan Bonnyman -lead guitar, Chris Goodman- bass

and Dave Johnson- Drums

Since the release of their acclaimed debut EP ‘Along the Bottom’. The band have been on a roller coaster of gigs playing anywhere and everywhere taking in their stride such venues as  renowned King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow’s O2 ABC1 and Liverpools infamous Zanzibar along with several summer festivals.

It was obvious from the opening acoustic guitar chords that this Glasgow 5 piece have been very busy and have their craft down to a very fine art.

Stuart Smiths talent screams out for a large stage setting and he plays it like a jack in the box waiting for the lid to be opened so he can jump out all over the stage.

Reminders of vintage 60s back beat, tight harmonies and melodies that make you want to sing along mingle with a sound that is defiantly 2010, driven by a drummer and bass guitar that are joined at the hip with Dave Johnson playing the brushes with more conviction and power that many drummers can’t accomplish with the sticks

The Rudiments hour long gig consisted mainly of self penned tunes that judging by the shouted request from the Dunoon Audience are already firm favorites.

The finishing song a salute to the 60s pop scene was not the song I was hoping for as I had heard, obviously wrong, that the last tune might be a sixties Van Morrison cover and I was looking forward to hearing Stuart Smith get his vocals around some Van the Man.

The finishing tune was the crowd pleasing Johnny Kidd penned Shakin All Over from 1960 the famous guitar opening and solo as played by Joe Moretti on the original was played by Ryan Bonnyman in a style reminiscence of Brian Jones –some –time guitarist with the Rolling Stones which  was the first of two reference to the Rolling Stones that night the second coming by way of The Last Time later to be performed by the Imagineers.

Within minutes of the Rudiments finishing their set the IMAGINEERS took to the stage. For more pictures go to Photos

THE IMAGINEERS LIVE UP TO THE HYPE

 After their fantastic acoustic set in the DCR studio with band members

Steven Young, lead vocals, Lee Ballard, lead guitar and Alastair Greig bass,  certainly had a lot to prove tonight to confirm that as a live band they certainly can live up to the buzz and hype that surrounds the band at this time.

Joined by the fourth member of the band Stephen Forbes, drums and percussion the band quickly took to the stage after a superb set by the opening act The Rudiments.

One suspects that the very fact the Imagineers allow such a good band as the Rudiments to open for them means they are quietly confident that  they have something more to offer.

Their posture and stage presence oozes with a laid back almost casual   confidence that stops short of being arrogant but states we are the Imagineers, watch this space!

Since the launch of their debut single in September the band have been constantly playing getting as much live experience as they can, as Steven stated in the studio last night “they look to take something away from each live performance”

With the crowd already closing in on the stage in anticipation of what was to come I wondered what the Imagineers would take away from Dunoon.

With the Jangle Latin inspired guitar opening of Mariana filling what little space there was left in the View  the small dance area exploded into a frenzy as the audience took advantage of the danceable beats and sang along with the catchy chorus,

This was the pattern that followed throughout the gig and except for one concession “The Last Time” a Rolling Stones tune the tunes all belong to the band.

The band have certainly worked on their sound; with a hint of sixties and seventies pop with that distinctive West Scotland Twang we tend to be hearing these days from a few of the Glasgow bands overall, a definite 2011 sound.

The different musical influences of the band the Spanish Rhythms (Steven and Alastair) the Bluegrass (Lee Ballard) and Retro give this band a wee edge on other bands struggling to find their own sound and with the distinctive bass playing of Alastair Greig and the Stephen Forbes drums who at times sounds as if he has climbed out of the Snakepit into McLemore Avenue (Motown and Stax ) to finish the sound mix off.

The only downside to the evening was the noticeable movement amongst some of the audience just after half way through the set as people prepared to leave the View to meet a curfew time at another local venue and even those who left it to the very last minute before running away missed what surely will be talked about as one of the finest finishes to a gig for along time.  Ask someone who was there

SKERRRYVORE AT THE QUEENS HALL

As one of our favourite Scottish bands here on Dunoon Community Radio it was with great excitement that we looked forward to the second night of the Skerryvore-2010 tour to take place in our own Queens Hall Dunoon.

The tour which started at the ABC Glasgow the night before with the launch of their third and latest Album the self titled Skerryvore  and will see them travel to places as diverse as Shanghai, T in The Park, Sonafest in Ardnamurchan and  Festivals in Belgium, Czech Republic and the USA to finish at the Harder park theatre in Livingston on the 30^th November.

Though they don’t appear to have any venues as surprising as the one they named ‘Jailhouse Jigs’ after (They where asked to perform for the lifers in a Northern Irish prison not realising they would be playing in the wing of the prison.)

The band had agreed to talk to DCR about the new album prior to the early evening Sound Check and Alec Dalglish (Guitars and Vocals) and Craig Espie (Fiddle) volunteered to stroll up Argyll Street to the studio for a ‘live on air’ chat with Victor and Bobby B Good.

They told the listeners they were very pleased and looking forward to be playing in Dunoon again since the reception they received last year as a support band at the Cowal Highland Gathering Ceilidh Tent which they Headline this year. Alec spoke warmly of the memories the band have of playing in a local pub during the last Dunoon Mod 2006 and said they have had great support over the years from Dunoon fans. 

The evenings concert kicked of with the well known local support band ‘Canned Haggis who delighted the audience with their well known Ceildh Tunes and sophisticated songs.

Skerryvore who had come to party with the Skerryvore Kilts a swirling as worn by Martin and Daniel Gillespie on Bagpipes and Accordion and Barry Caulfield on Bass and started their set with a rock beat tune flowing easily into a stomping Ceildh tune from their first two albums, followed by a more modern pop tune and an introduction to their new album with the Craig Espie and Alec Dalglish penned ‘Good to Go’. 

The evening continued in this vein with a mix of traditional type tunes, slow ballads and pieces with a rock or blues influence from the new album many penned by Alec and Craig and a beautiful balled Hold Me Tonight written by Daniel and sung with great conviction by Alec.

In tribute to Runrig, a band which they have been compared to on several occasions a blasting rendition of ‘Rocket to the Moon’ was performed much to the joy of the audience. For me any comparison is more to do with the sound they can produce from their instruments rather than they have a set of brothers from the Isles in the group. They are certainly not just following in Run Rigs footsteps as they have their own distinctive sound.

By the end of the night there where plenty of people dancing around the Queens Hall and after a final encore the band took a well earned standing ovation.

As a added bonus to the evening and a real treat for those of the audience who hadn’t had to dash away, the band to every ones delight reappeared on stage not for another encore but to come down to the audience to chat, sign autographs and to have photographs taken with fans and stayed for  nearly an hour and with “see you at Cowal Games” farewells the band left with just time to catch the ferry .

A-ha ENDING ON A HIGH NOTE FINAL TOUR  2010 17th November CLYDE AUDITORIUM GLASGOW Alastair says:

MARANCHEZ

This local band are playing in the Loft on Friday 16th April or if you fancy a wee trip why not join the bus which is going to their gig at the O2 ABC in Glasgow on the 15th May 2010. For further information check out their website www.Maranchez.com

ABBAMANIA

Abbamania came to Dunoon and we where very fortunate to be able to speak to the band in the studio and also catch them for a photo just before they burst onto stage with Voluez Vous before singing one of their favourite songs Chiquitita, The audience where soon swaying and clapping their hands with several pink feather boas and luminous chokers being waved in the air.

The bands enthusiasim and love of the songs was infectious and it did not take much to have the audience dancing and singing along.

DEVILS REJECTS TO HEADLINE NABD FESTIVAL
Local Dunoon Band Devils Rejects are to headline the National Association for Bikers with a Disability ‘By the Trossachs Rally’ on Friday 31st July. The Rally is being held at Ben Ledi Park, Callander featuring Live Bands, Disco, Real Ale Bar, Traditional Rally Bar, Custom Bike and Trike Show. Tickets cost £12 pre-booked or £15 on the gate. Numbers are strictly limited so best to book early. The Devils Reject are an unsigned band which started in Dunoon in 2007 who play rock/metal, you may have heard them at the recent Hillbillies event or in the Twisted Wheel, Glasgow. You can check out their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/devilsrejectsthebandThe NABD where set up in 1991 by six bikers in Stockport and Manchester who would not accept that disabled people could not ride motorcycles, scooters and trikes. They now have 5000+ individual members and have helped over 7000 people with advice and money to enable them to ride. For further information on the Rally and the NADB see www.nabd.org.uk

THE BACKBEAT BEATLES

1-2-3-4our da dumdum, da da da dumdum da dumdum

“Well she was just seventeen. You know what I mean. And the way she looked was way beyond compare” As the sound of the opening lines of “I Saw Her Standing There” filled the Queens Hall the enthusiastic audience of young and maybe one or a few folk from the day, got to their feet to greet the popular Beatles tribute band back to Dunoon to perform the music of the ” Fab Four”

SOUNDS LIKE -LOOKS LIKE

With such a back catalogue to choose from and only just over two hours to play, it must be difficult to please everyone but the Backbeat Beatles have been doing this for a long time and seemed to know what tunes pleased the audience best.

Of course their musicianship beggars’ belief in producing an authentic sound and it certainly helps with the illusion to see the same instruments, amplifiers and costumes.

SING AND DANCE ALONG

The first half represented the Fab Fours output from their Please Please Me album up to and including the Revolver album. With eighteen singles including 11 Number ones and 7 album, so the audience where soon singing along and dancing at the front of the stage.

A little of Beatle- mania could be felt around the Queens Hall which had been set out table style like many of the British and German Clubs of the sixties.

THE ROBERTSON SISTERS BROUGHT DAD

The members of the band keeping in character throughout encouraged request and dedications from the audience and many had songs dedicated to them, to mention but one Dougie Robertson who had been brought along to the proceedings by his daughters Angela, Nicola and Suzanne to celebrate his birthday and was quite happy? to go along with a Beatle like happy birthday sang by all.

The second half started with the instantly recognizable Sgt. Peppers Uniforms and hits from the psychedelic era again with spot on covers of the tunes through to the more casual Let It Be, again much participation from the audience and no more so than All You Need Is Love which brought the evenings performance to an end but not before the band played out with a blasting rendition of Twist And Shout.

Although the hall was not as full as it should have been those that attended were in good voice, knew and did all the moves and enjoyed themselves.

If I could have had a dedication from the band it would have been to all at the Queens Hall who bring to Dunoon such a wide variety of entertainment – with this years programme of events being one of the best ever long may it last and be supported by the community http://www.argyll-Bute.gov.uk/content/queenshalls/qhevents/

DCR  

HOT TICKET

Do you have a ticket for a future concert or music event , Drop us a wee comment on our Concert and Musical events page telling us who you are going to see, when and where and we shall do the rest. Knowing the type of music and artist you are supporting will be very useful to us in future programme schedules. Here are a few dates that we have been given.

Connect Music Festival Inveraray Castle – The Oganisers have decided to take a break for 2009 but will be back in 2010 and are hoping to stage some smaller concerts in the meantime .

Cowal Choral Club – ‘Music To Inspire’ Before Christmas I attended a wonderful concert in St Muns Church preformed by our own Cowal Choral Club. it was entitled ‘Music to Inspire’ and it certainly was inspirational. The Choir, accompanied by their Chamber Orchestra and conducted by Mr Russell Cowieson where joined by soloists soprano MsElena Xanthoudakis and Baritone Mr Kevin Greenlaw. It was an absolute delight to be able to hear renowned international singers in Dunoon. The evening was a lovely mix of music from Bachs ‘Cantata 140′ to Vaughan Wiliams ‘Fantasia on Christmas Carols’, topped of by John Rutters ‘Magnificat’. Thank you for a wonderful show and I am really looking forward to your next show ‘The Pajama Game’. Humphry

New Year In Oban
My friends and I decided we would do something different for the New Year and join in one of the many street parties, so off we went to Oban as we had heard many good things from last years inaugural event.
The event is held in the car park of a major supermarket just off the town centre with music, fun fair rides, food and drink. The evening was compeered by the local community radio Oban FM who with usual shenanigans filled in the gaps between acts with old favourites plus a few newer tracks. First up on the stage was the Oban Homecoming Choir which was formed from some of the local Gaelic choirs and a worthy start to the New Years Eve proceedings. Next on stage was “The Works’ a local 80’s band who had reformed especially for the evening, I couldn’t remember them but as they started playing I thought I recognised something familiar, then realised it was The works version of the Kaiser Chiefs “I predict a Riot’. Their set consisted mainly of cover versions, although I must confess we did make a wee detour to the funfair rides around this time.
They where followed by the excellent Skerryvore who I normally see at Ceildhs so it was interesting to hear a more diverse musical talents, as they sang some well know tunes including Dougie MacLeans “Caledonia’ which they have released as a download single on their website. I am not sure their brass section works, however, this may have had something to do with the sound mix which didn’t sound as good as it should have done, but hey! It’s live and these things happen.
“SKERRYVORE “S set took us practically up to the bells which where preceded by the “RUNRIG’ rendition of Loch Lomond, the live recording from the Barrowlands which had the 7,500 crowd singing along enthusiastically with Donny Munro, linking arms and jumping in the air at the finale.
It reminded me of our DCR Roadshow nights but without the 7.500 crowd.
After the countdown to midnight the sky was lit up with a fantastic display of fireworks which were accompanied by the music of the RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS who had taken to the stage with “Auld Lang Syne’ then continued with their now world famous set.
By the time they began to bring their set to an end our feet were frozen and at £15 for a round of 4 shots we decided it was time to wend our way home to a warm fire and our nerdy bottle.
Now what shall we do next year? Will Dunoon have a Street Party?
Ben G