An evening with the Peatbog Faeries and a day out in York.

[English Bloke]

Hi ho...

Trying this new concept of a picture thread in the "Modern Kilt wear" section.

Went scooting over to North Yorkshire to see my mate Doublewood Dave this weekend and enjoy a gig with the Peatbog Faeries. They are Skye based celtic folk band and pretty knock-out to boot.

Doublewood's daughter Zara and her fella (also Dave) were over too, being as they are both muso's and delight in a bit of contemporary folk, the broad genre the Peatbogs slot into.


Us on the way to the gig. Note walking was the preferred option as the venue was only a spit from Dave's house and our hipflasks were full so no-one had any intention of driving home again...
From L to R Dave the younger, Liz (Mrs Doublewood), Doublewood Dave and Daughter Zara. (I'm taking the picture obviously)


I thought for this occasion I'd pose as a MacKenzie in ancient colours.


On arrival at the place we found there was a delay to the advertised start time due to a missing bit of technical kit that made sound amplification possible. Apparently a Man-in-a-van was hotfoot on his way to York to pick it up and would be back in a jiffy so if we'd all be patient etc etc... We made best use of the time and headed for the bar and grabbed an assortment of brews. (No surprises there then).


Eventually the gig got underway but not having had chance to sound-check prior to coming on there were a few teething problems during the first couple of numbers.
The band consists of (L to R) Greame Stafford on Keyboards, Rick on Trombone, Peter Tickell on fiddle, Stu Haikney on Drums, Peter Morrison on Pipes and Whistles, Innes Hutton on Bass and Tom Salter on Guitar.


The band were awesome, The Drummer and Bassist where absolutely rock solid tight, providing a superb rhythm section for the rest of the performers to excell around. Fiddler Peter Tickell was outstanding and Peter Morrison's whistles and pipes were magnificent. A very slick performance from all but unfortunately let down badly by the "Sound Man". The balance of instruments just wasn't there and on occasion even the pipes (not famously a quiet instrument) were drowned by the synths and fiddle and much of the sublety of some of the music was totally lost. Not sure who the resident sound engineer at the venue was but although he may know how to work the graphic equaliser on his walkman, he doesnt have a clue about operating a mixing desk. Sad really. I'm not saying the gig was ruined, the atmosphere was electric and the musical skills displayed overcame and technical shortcomings. We all had a fabulous time and there was much dancing in the "Mosh Pit" but sound guy not being very sound certainly didn't help for the musical aficionados amongst us...


Some more pictures.


You should have heard that fiddle.


Tremondous stuff....

More to come...