MALLAIG’S annual Feis Na Mara event kick-started the autumn season at the beginning of the month and what a weekend of music it was.
Young five-piece Dosca kicked off the Friday night late session with a superb set that had the crowd in the Mallaig and Morar Community Centre on their feet from the off. They were followed by Griogair, one of the Scottish traditional music scene’s real one-offs.
An accomplished piper, Gaelic singer and rapper, Griogair (full name Griogair Labhruidh) brought his Ghetto Croft ensemble to the stage and proceeded to smash genres with a wanton appetite.
Accompanied by a piper, bodhran player and a beatboxer or two, Griogair’s set was a politically charged and rhythmic tour through history – from Ballachullish to the Bronx – and will live long in the memory. He is a special and unique talent and The National will be catching up with him in the next few weeks. Watch this space...
Cera Impala’s delightfully dark and swirling set was another delicious offering while Saturday night’s highlights included a barnstorming set from The Poozies, playing on what amounts to home turf. They were joined on stage by the sublimely talented Mairearad Green and a full brass section to the delight of the crowd.
The festival was closed by Glasgow’s Esperanza whose feet-stomping ska set had both the locals and the band’s significant number of travelling fans dancing away into the wee small hours.
Shenanigans were concluded on Sunday with the traditional session at the Arisaig Hotel.
The festival has always been a highlight of the calendar, coming as it does at the end of the long summer tourist season, and while it continues to go from strength to strength big and exciting plans are rumoured for next year’s edition which could give the festival a new lease of life altogether.
We shall keep you posted...
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