Govannen

 GOVANNEN

Guildhall: 22nd November 2024

I don't normally do reviews when I go to gigs at more formal venues, such as the Guildhall (or Y Theatre/DeMont etc) and don't take pictures... but this performance last night by Govannen deserves attention... the band were firing on all cylinders and delivered an absolutely wonderful performance which the sold out audience revelled in and absolutely loved.

The band kicked off with a set of tunes which went at a heck of a pace and followed it with Dan singing the Waterboys "When Will we be Married" which set the tone for the evening... they mixed songs with tune sets throughout pacing the set superbly and keeping everyone delighted throughout.

Difficult to pick out highlights... but for me Dan's song "The Storm" which closed the first half is always outstanding. Each of the musicians took their turns in the spotlight.

Chris delivered a couple of fine songs, "Carousel" and the wonderful "Jazz Potato" and Roger sang a couple including "The Beggar"... a real favourite of mine. In the second half Adele shone with a beautiful slow air on fiddle

After the "Storm" a short break and then the second half carried on where the first left off... with wonderful songs and tunes throughout.

The musicianship in this band is immense... Adele and Roger playing fiddle, and leading on most of the tunes were exceptional while Chris as ever played keyboards and various whistles, including the legendary :two whistles" piece and the kalimba. Dans guitar/mandolin/bodhran playing was as ever driving with the rhythm or playing delicate lines as required while Neil's percussion and backing vocals were outstanding, adding depth and rhythm to the overall picture.

Towards the end Dan announced that they had had a request, and were going to play a christmas song... cue for instant shudder... but no worries... they delivered a superb version of "Fairytale of New York" ... definitely their own arrangement and different in many to the original but glorious... and had the audience joyfully singing the appropriate bits!

After that... the final tune set virtually brought the house down... intense, high tempo, full of joy and simply wonderful.

For the encore they offered something different and a treat... and it sure was... Adele singing a traditional irish ballad, with minimal accompaniment from Chris and Neil... absolutely beautiful performance of a beautiful song and a wonderful way to round off what had been a very wonderful, very special performance...

Neil, Chris, Roger Adele, Dan....many thanks for an outstanding evening to celebrate the 30th anniversary...

I wonder how many of the capacity audience would have turned out had the gig been at the Musician or IAC?... Remember Roger is playing the Musician on Thursday with Chris Parkinson... it's going to be a terrific night... you'd be foolish to miss it!!!

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