Hebridean Celtic Festival 19/7/08
Review: Julie Fowlis by Ruaraidh Mackay
Julie Fowlis, the Gaelic folk singer was the opening act on the main stage of the festival, backed up by fellow band member Eamon Doorley amongst others. Fowlis had previously won various prestigious awards and nominations for her talent such as Gaelic singer of the year 2005 winner and Scots Traditional Music album of the year 2008.
With a track record that impressive, Fowlis’ performance was highly anticipated by a strong festival crowd, mixed with adults and children. Fowlis didn’t disappoint, as she kicked off the festival with a bang on Thursday night as the folk singer performed a number of jaunty and fast paced tracks to a packed tent.
Fowlis, who was recently announced as BBC Radio 2's folk singer of the year, sung with passion and flair, exciting the bulging crowd inside the tent. She performed hits “Hùg air Bhonaid Mhòir” and “An Cailin Rua” to please the largely Gaelic speaking crowd who were both appreciative and impressed by a lively Fowlis. Fowlis proved she was a prime candidate to kick off the Main Stage as she warmed up the receptive crowd, with her skills on the violin proving to be particularly well received.
“Mo Gruagach Dhonn” showed a slower and more serene side of Fowlis’ work as a reflective piece of songwriting, whilst “Biodh an Deoch seo ‘n Limh” was another song that impressed, appealing to a more diverse crowd. The solo on the violin was particularly excellent, whilst Fowlis’ voice provided an additional sweetener to the song. Martin O’ Neill, Fowlis’ long time friend and award winning bodhran player was extremely effective at livening the crowd up and was revered by the passionate Hebridean crowd.
Fowlis and friends provided an exceptionally balanced and well rehearsed performance which more than warmed up the bulging Festival goers, all there to see some traditional Celtic music, which they received in abundance thanks to Fowlis and her bandmates.
