Review of the Cryptic Keys on the Seedlings stage at Belladrum, 9th of August, 2014.
Another festival debutante, the Cryptic Keys first performance at Belladrum will certainly be one of those to remember.
Drawing one of the biggest crowds of the weekend to the Seedlings stage, their growing reputation in and around Inverness drew a loud and fervent support from the first note.
Initially the format remained the same, the two singers Dail and Rhia accompanied by Mike Macgillivray on acoustic guitar.
A couple of songs later and things moved up a notch with the surprise addition of Steve Robertson on bass and Calum on drums (of Toby Michaels Rolling Damned).
This did give the band extra oomph although you could argue that they already packed enough punch as they were.
But for their first festival this addition to their arsenal gave them extra depth and was evidence of a band that are really only just beginning to figure out what they can do. And all of it good from where I was standing.
‘Head to Toe’ was dedicated to ‘all the sexy people out there’, which of course ingratiated them further to an audience already hanging on to every note and ‘Three Score and Ten’ was a thoughtful tune emotionally dedicated to Mike’s grandmother who sadly recently passed away.
Special mention should also be given to Mike’s dad. Clearly chuffed to bits that his son was on stage, he had to be reprimanded by a steward for getting a bit too excited and was ordered off his friends shoulders. You can’t really fault him; he was only reflecting the enthusiasm of the audience.
Watch this space, the Cryptic Keys will only get better and better.
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