Iain McLaughlin and the Outsiders celebrated their release of new album ‘Clarity’ at An Seòmar, with support from The Northern Waters and Reliever.
The Northern Waters opened. There’s an Americana edge to what they do, built around groove and weight rather than polish. It feels grounded, with vocals that carry a bit of grit without forcing it. Live, that came across well. Nothing overplayed, just a set that held its shape and did what it needed to.
Relatively new to the Inverness scene, Reliever followed, leaning into indie rock. They hadn’t played since their show with Faeda in November, but you wouldn’t have known it. There was a clear step up here. Tighter, more controlled, and noticeably more confident. Their recent single HOME sits in that space, and the set matched it.
Iain McLaughlin and the Outsiders returned to the venue, last there in June last year, with their latest album Clarity newly released. The set opened with a recorded instrumental intro, something of a regular feature for the band, which ran a touch long but settled the room before they came on.
Once they started, it stayed on track. Very little chat, no real breaks, just a set that held its focus. They’ve been together a long time, and it shows. McLaughlin led it without fuss, with Dave Ramsay on bass holding things tight at the centre. Paul Elliot’s guitar work added shape without taking over, while Russell Montgomery on drums anchored it.
This release feels more open. That came through in the set. At times it felt exposed and vulnerable, but that was the point.
The crowd response built as the set went on while the band maintained its intensity. The music carried it. When the choruses opened up, there was a lift in the room. Those bigger moments gave the set its shape and carried through the room.
They often sign off with it, and it felt right here: we are you, you are we, we are all Outsiders.
