Before the Ironworks Elephant Sessions say 'We'll never be able to forget'
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Perhaps if it wasn’t for the closing of the Ironworks on Saturday, Elephant Sessions would be feeling they were having a great 2023 so far.
As the days count down to the last-ever performance in the Inverness venue this Saturday, it is good to realise it will be the last notes of this Inverness band’s music that will be left hanging in the air as the doors of the Ironworks finally close.
But the night fuelled by the music the band themselves describe as the best of trad, funk and electronica, is also likely to match any of the most euphoric nights the space has ever seen.
Euan Smillie, the band’s charismatic fiddle player, set the scene for the background to this landmark gig for so many people.
“We had a strong start to the year playing in Edinburgh as part of their Hogmanay celebrations in Princes Street Garden,” Euan reminded us. “We’re currently working on a new show for our upcoming trip to SXSW in Austin Texas and our follow up UK tour in May!”
Then there is the small matter of last year’s much-awaited new album, For The Night, which went on to score a major success at the end of the year.
How had it felt winning album of the year at the BBC Scots Trad Awards in Dundee?
“It was an incredible night! The recognition was amazing. We were also playing a few tracks and closing the show, so the award caught us off guard as we were already on stage about to batter on!” Euan laughed.
“Only Alasdair and Seth actually made it over to collect the award!”
And on to talk of the Ironworks...
“The Ironworks had such a reputation when we were growing up, they were consistently putting on banging shows and it was renowned among the UK indie touring circuit. It was the first ‘real’ venue we got to go and experience proper gigs.”
Euan adds: “The Ironworks was so crucial for our growth as a band. Prior to playing there we had always played in pubs so it felt like a real boost. It felt like a huge room to fill so as nerve-racking as it was, we could feel like we were progressing, and to get the opportunity was massively appreciated. It gave us the thought that maybe, one day, this could be our job.
“Fast forward to now, we have played the venue so many times, it has really moulded us as musicians and as a band.”
How will Saturday’s gig feel?
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking, to be honest. It’s such a huge loss to the area, and one that will be felt all throughout the Highlands. During such a difficult economic time and the restrictions in planning permission, the likelihood of another venue opening soon in the city is incredibly unlikely. It’s all starting to feel very real and it’s hitting us all pretty hard. And it leaves us very stuck for venues in our hometown, and we really don’t know where we play next. We’ve got such an amazing fan base in Inverness and we don’t want to be unable to play there.”
It’s a problem set to face many musicians over the following months.
But at least there will be no trouble remembering the place – and taking the chance to thank Ironworks director Caroline Campbell?
“We’ve been given the honour of putting on the final gig in the venue. It sold out straight away and we’re throwing everything into it. We’ll be putting on the biggest show we’ve ever played there and it’s going to be emotional but we’ll be remembering everything that Caroline and everyone there has done for us. We simply can’t thank her and her team enough. People like that do not come around often. It takes real passion and dedication to run and manage a venue of that size with such care and thought toward the audience and the bands, and Caroline has done it impeccably, so our greatest thanks goes to her.”
n Elephant Sessions play the Ironworks’ last-ever gig on Saturday. It is sold out.
