Celtic Connections: The Magpie Arc and Katherine Priddy
Oran Mor - 30/01/24
This evening at Celtic Connections opened with a set from Katherine Priddy. From the moment Priddy took to the stage the audience were drawn in, captivated by her melodic storytelling talent. She possesses that traditional folk quality whereby she can paint the clearest of pictures in the minds of her listeners, taking her audiences on journeys of love, loss and heartbreak.
The set opened with ‘Wolf’, a beautifully haunting number from Priddy’s first EP which perfectly set the tone for her performance. Priddy is currently launching new music, with her album ‘The Pendulum Swing’ being released in mid-February. She shared some of this new material with us - and what a treat it was! Next, we heard ‘First House on the Left’, which showcases the album’s underpinning theme of “home” and “returning home”.
Another new number ‘Does She Hold You Like I Did’ marked the highlight of Priddy’s set for me. The heartfelt lyrics perfectly complemented the progression of melody. Priddy explained that in the recording, this number is layered with percussion, strings and brass, but the stripped back fingerpicking and delicate yet rich vocals contributed to the gentle and intimate atmosphere that she fostered. The performance of this song reminded me of conversations with my friends, discussing heartbreak in our early twenties. This number captures Priddy’s gift for music; sharing her personal insight into emotions and delivering them with such power in her graceful tones and melodies. Her dreamy folk story style set a warm atmosphere, ready for second act of the evening.
The Magpie Arc is eclectic through and through; from the group itself, which brings together the talents of esteemed musicians Martin Simpson, Findlay Napier, Nancy Kerr, Alex Hunter and Tom A. Wright, to the folk-rock-electronic-sometimes bluesy tunes they craft, right down to the diverse audience they attract. The Magpie Arc are making path-breaking, genre-cutting moves in the British folk scene, and they are doing so with such fine-tuned talent and skill - their work is exciting! Near the beginning of the set, we heard ‘Wassail’ which allowed Nancy Kerr to flaunt her impressive vocal range, with a folky tone and rock driven electronic and bass sounds. The band maintained that traditional folk-rock style in ‘All I Planted’ - it really got the crowd moving!
We were encouraged to join in and sing along with ‘Pans of Biscuits’ and ‘I Ain’t Going Nowhere’ - these catchy choruses got everyone involved building a buzzing energy. We heard some well-crafted pieces by Findlay Napier, including my personal favourite, ‘Don’t Leave the Door Open’. After Napier shared the political theme of Scottish Independence that inspired the piece, the lyrics took on a whole new meaning. A multifaceted number of expert composition, with tight harmonies and quirky riffs.
With an encore of ‘Let the Last Bell Ring’, the group encapsulated their diverse style. The story behind the song tells of a session in a Glasgow bar that pulled together Jazz, Folk and Indie musicians. This song is full of character, with genres blended cohesively but without losing each of their unique qualities. I hope to hear more from The Magpie Arc and am intrigued by the exciting new sounds they produce.
