Stunning Virtuosity from US Bluegrass Band - Thursday 21st March 2019
A good sized audience at the Seagull Theatre was treated to an exceptional performance by a young multi-talented 5 piece band from Boston USA who came to Suffolk on their first ever tour of the UK.
Having stopped off at BBC Radio Suffolk to appear on Lesley Dolphin’s show en route to the gig (listen on line if you missed it – it’s well worth the effort!), the band arrived in Pakefield in time for a bit of sightseeing after the sound check.
At first glance the mic stands arranged across the stage looked like a conventional set-up, but all but one of the stands contained an instrument microphone and all the vocals were shared on one large mic in the centre of the stage.
The bulk of the lead vocals were handled by Evan Murphy (who also played guitar), with harmonies supplied by all other members of the band – Nate Sabat (double bass and some lead vocals), Bronwyn Keith-Hynes (fiddle), David Benedict (mandolin) and Catherine BB Bowness (banjo).
All band members took turns to play stunning solos on their instruments with their material mainly being drawn from their brand new 2nd album,”City On A Hill”, on sale at the gig, and available more widely at the end of March.
They kicked things off with an uptempo version of Richard Thompson’s “Down Where The Drunkards Roll”, but most of the songs and tunes were highly accomplished band originals. Apart from new material, songs and instrumentals were featured from the band’s first CD “Onwards” and from various solo recordings. The crowd were very appreciative from the start and the applause rang out long after each number finished.
The sound throughout was excellent, as we have come to expect from Josh and his team at the Seagull.
The band have enjoyed their first UK tour (most dates of which sold out) and are very keen to come back soon. I urge you not to miss them when they do.
Keep checking www.theseagull.co.uk for details of lots more great acoustic music coming to north Suffolk soon!
Martin Lovett