Artyness columnist Liza Mulholland salutes tremendous nights of music
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A winning Shetlander – but not this time on the fiddle!
I just had to wait up to see who won the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2023! Wrapping up Celtic Connections for another year, the competition final was simply spellbinding in its display of talent.
Ever the consummate host, Joy Dunlop – herself a wonderful singer – couldn’t help but beam as the six young finalists performed their sets.
What astonishing playing!
It was of course a hugely difficult decision for the judges but in the end Shetlander Amy Laurenson took the coveted prize.
And I’m particularly delighted that a pianist took the honours, which I think has only happened once before in the prize’s history.
As a fellow piano player, I always love to see our instrument and its superb young players being hailed in traditional music.
It was also extremely pleasing to hear the amazing all-female house band.
So often house bands comprise mostly male musicians, so it was very refreshing to note Radio Scotland have upped their game on all fronts.
If there was any doubt that traditional music is in safe youthful hands, it’s worth noting that it was the superb young local band Elephant Sessions who were given the honour of being the last to perform in Inverness’s Ironworks music venue.
Their emotional Instagram post said, ‘Checking out of our spiritual home for the final time’, as the camera panned round autographed walls, the boys switched off the lights and closed the door behind them.
Acts like Elephant Sessions cut their teeth in the Ironworks and have gone on to fill massive venues around the world.
And so many of us have numerous wonderful memories of tremendous nights of music and seeing some of our favourite artistes live for the first time.
Our band Dorec-a-belle was also fortunate to play there several times, supporting The Magic Numbers and at showcase events, and I was also lucky to play at several friends’ album launches.
Getting up on that stage is a memory I’ll always hold dear.
Being demolished to make way for yet another hotel, the loss of this cultural hub will have a huge impact on the Highland music scene.
Decades ago, Wolfstone’s bass player Wayne Mackenzie had a dream of a full-size venue for Inverness and he made it happen.
Caroline and the team at the helm for the last 15 years or so have done an excellent job in making the venue work so successfully.
Here’s hoping they can locate another venue to take things forward and again breathe yet more vigour, energy and opportunities into the Highland music scene.
