SCALLION/OLIVER SLOAN
International Music Venue: 1st February 2026
Sunday night at the The International Music Venue was a real treat... one of those nights that leaves a real glow and lifts the spirits...
First up was OLIVER SLOAN, playing only his third ever gig, accompanying himself on guitar and very ably supported by JACOB on keyboards... i believe this was Jacob's first gig!! They made a really great job of it, delivering a varied and interesting set of covers. Oliver has a really great strong voice, and sings with great confidence and assurance, plays good guitar, enhanced by some fine keyboard work for Jacob.
To be honest, the choice of covers wasn't to my taste, but i did know most of the songs, and the delivery was at all times excellent... Maybe not my choice of songs, but that doesnt disguise the fact that the guy has talent... keep an eye on him!!
I love to take a punt on gigs where I dont know the artist... maybe not know the name.. and sometimes you go to a gig like that and hit absolute gold... as happened last night with Olivers dad, Peter Sloan leading the superb celtic roots band SCALLIONS
things started quietly with Peter singing "Irish Ways" with just a muted keyboard and fiddle backing... after this, Peter picked up his acoustic guitar and the rest of the band came on and kicked into a cracking version of "Drowsy Maggie" with the whole band before storming into "How Long" complete with the brass section in full cry... the effect was astonishing.. high power celtic music with a full rock sound... totally iresistable...top quality musicianship along with tons of energy and spirit...
The set was totally upbeat, featuring a host of familiar songs, often in very different arrangements.. there were a couple of Van Morrison pieces heavy with brass that rocked like mad, along with songs from the likes of U2, the Saw Doctors and the Waterboys...
There was a scintillating "Whiskey in the Jar", which made previous rock versions sound tame, but a very different version of the song to others i have heard.... and all the better for it.
Towards the end Peter announced aPogues song, and a gorgeous sulty sax solo led into a high powered version of "Fiesta:"
A couple of more songs and it was over... this was music to fill you with joy... and band having a great time delivering some great songs... every one a gem... musically and vocally great, upbeat joyful and totallly uplifting.
The band referred to being a work in progress.. but right now they are absolutely a joy to see and hear.. .loved every second of the show...
keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues
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