Lochaber Live 2024
An Aird
After a gap of 30 years, Lochaber's premier music festival is back. Last night was the first night, and it was fantastic. Full reports to come, shortly. I'm off to enjoy to-day's sunshine (good timing for the festival.
The attached photo shows Gaelic supergroup Dàimh on stage.
Despite leaving myself "plenty of time" to get to the festival, I got held back by a several miles long tailback of traffic on the north side of Fort William. I intended to arrive 30 mins early. In the end, I arrived about 30 minutes late. That was really annoying.
However, not many people had arrived before me.. Undoubtedly, many others were stuck in the traffic, but, I suspect, most were just outside enjoying the sunshine.
Later that evening the tent appeared to be full to capacity.
Lochaber Live 2024
Little Win
As mentioned in my previous post an unexpected traffic jam prevented me from arriving on time at the music festival. Consequently, I missed all but three songs from Little Win. Marianne Fraser, lead singer & founder of Little Win, has moved from her trad roots towards a more pop-oriented sound with her new group. This was evident in the three songs I heard.
Being the first act to perform at a music festival must be daunting.
Lochaber Live 2024
Dàimh
Another band with local Lochaber roots. In fact, almost all the bands had local connections.
Dàimh are a very talented bunch of musicians. They focus on trad tunes and Gaelic song. They had a very impressive and entertaining set. I'm a huge fan.
As the second band on stage, with a limited set time, they should concentrate on more up-tempo songs and tunes. Short time; get the crowd going. That said, they were very well received.
Lochaber Live 2024
Wolfstone
No matter what happened on the rest of the night, Wolfstone were going to be my highlight of the evening. Sorry, objectivity isn't applicable here.
Wolfstone headlined the last Lochaber Live, 30 years ago. I was there. Seeing them again in Lochaber was phenomenal. They had a blistering set, with half tunes and half songs. They were on great form, and the audience went mental. I was near the front, dancing, not many photos.
@fitheach
Played Lochinver hall in June.
And I (and they) agreed that the slow soulful Gaelic sings were a slow start. They .made a wee joke of that and then turned up the tempo.
It was a fantastic night's entertainment
@Jkp
I don't have a problem with slow songs. In fact, I love slow songs. It is good to have light and shade; some slow songs, some faster. That works when you've got 90+ minutes available.
However, when there is only ~30 mins available and potentially ¾ of the audience aren't there for you, it is the faster songs that get people clapping hands,, tapping feet, and jiggling their bodies.