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Damian Robinson enjoys a solid double-header of unique folk, country and Americana sounds
Image by Victoria Wai
Continuing their desire to curate an impressive roster of live events, Gosforth Civic Theatre presented another solid double-header tonight, with a combination of musicians gaining press and critical attention.
Tonight’s two acts combine to produce a lovely and unique style of folk, country and Americana; Kari Macleod opens the evening, supported by second musician Ben, with a gentle, atmospheric trip into Celtic folk. Highlight of the set You Don’t Know Me Anymore stands out in a performance which is gentle in sound, but heavy in emotion.
A quick turnaround brings on The Magpies, who combine banjo, fiddle and acoustic guitar into a trip through Anglo and American roots. Opener Galileo sets an early highlight, with the Magpie three-piece vocals combining to Crosby, Stills and Nash levels of intricacy and complementary parts. Combined with moments of storytelling and humour (and also a microphone pick up that never fails to introduce itself between songs), it’s I Never Will Marry and Follow My Knees which stand out; the tracks giving space for each instrument to be heard and to allow an opportunity for more of the trio’s killer vocals.
A nicely mixed combination of artists, combined with some fantastic musicality, makes this another great night at GCT.
