So what does Inverness offer to musicians and music lovers? Tonight, the 1st of February might have expected to be a cold drab evening with perhaps not much to shout about. Well not tonight.
In the Ironworks was the Root Ma Toot Big Band (Review coming soon). A swift sojourn of the music night spots showed a range of talent that Inverness should hold proud.
First to Hootanannys, where Davy Cowan and Rachel Parker played an energetic selection of covers, Davy’s original songs all skirled along by Rachel’s fantastic fiddle playing. The floor was jumping joyously. Upstairs, a surprise solo performance from Iain McLaughlin showed the lad loses little intensity without his band. A committed and accomplished performer, Ian tells me he is busy writing songs for his awaited second album.
On through the night through the bars where covers bands ply their trade – stylish funk from The Room, “Country Roads” from The Gellions and “I fought the Law” from Johnny Foxes – something for everyone then.
My last stop off was the Market bar where Ashley and the Cosmonauts managed to squeeze 4 performers, a double bass, a full drum kit and two guitars into their little corner of the room. This was my first listen to the band and it certainly won’t be my last. Classy vocals and understated guitars lent their own songs a relaxed feel and an eclectic selection of covers –” Don’t Leave” by Faithless made this, for me the gig of the night.
Not a bad haul for a dreary, dank night in February. The Inverness music scene is alive and well.
See Jim Kennedy’s other articles for the site.
