A sold out third year in Aberfeldy Town Hall would suggest that things are going from strength to strength for this friendly, bijoux festival. Organised in association with Dewar’s by adopted local artist and musician Ryan Hannigan and friends, with a line-up hand-picked by Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin.
The majority of the event was contained within the 500 capacity venue on Friday and Saturday night, with afternoon performances on a small stage in the town square on Saturday from some of the featured acts. The afternoon sets let you properly explore the picturesque market town whilst giving the sets a more intimate feel.
Meursault singer/songwriter Neil Pennycook took to the stage with his black hood up, and with the bands fuller line-up of late gave some beautiful yet equally menacing renditions of recent material. Settling, with its hints of Arcade Fire, and Dearly Distracted were just a couple of standouts. Pennycook’s vocals are a force to be reckoned with at the best of times but throughout the set he soared just as high as the guitars during their extended thrashing set closer.
Bringing the levels down a notch was a heart-warming set from Aidan Moffat and Bill Wells who, as with previous band Meursault, had to contend with a noisy crowd. Moffat played a multitude of percussion throughout the set and even took to the drum kit for a track. But it was the cello specifically during The Copper Top that really stood out for me, only to be ended with Moffat mumbling “That one was about death, this one’s about shagging” before the funky intro to Glasgow Jubilee lunged forth with its sordid tales. Last track The Greatest Story Ever Told was absolutely stunning and left the audience beaming.
The Phantom band showed exactly why they were closing Friday night with probably the best performance and sound I’ve witnessed in the six or more times I’ve seen them. Singer Rick Redbeard joked early on that someone on their mobile at the front was “probably Tweeting ‘This band is so boring‘”. The set that followed was anything but boring and the sound absolutely huge – a band that definitely sound their best live. Folk Song Oblivion was furious and last track Crocodile saw the handheld percussion coming out in force. A perfect end to the first night.
For Saturday afternoon’s performances on a small stage in the town square, a compact market accompanied, complete with a fire to warm the bones on this crisp November day. We were lucky enough to catch organiser Ryan Hannigan’s band Star Wheel Press here who even had their kids on vocal duties for some of the tracks. Their mellow sound worked well in the surroundings, a band I’d like to see more of.
Withered Hand though was my highlight of the afternoon. The band had confessed early on to be nursing hangovers but despite the slightly rough around the edge performance it was still awesome, as well as slightly surreal. Dan addressed local onlookers saying, “It’s nice that you’re all watching and enjoying this, even if you were just popping along to the shops”. A false start on a new track gave way to what promises to be some excellent new material. The band ended with Heart Heart which had the crowd and locals singing and stomping along.
Back at the Town Hall for the final evening and the acts all had a distinctly Fence flavour. Rozi Plain showed why she’s earned celebrity endorsements from the likes of Devendra Banhart and proved that she is something of an unsung hero with material from her latest album Joined Sometimes Unjoined.
Next were FOUND who were joined on stage by King Creosote for the first track, who then watched the majority of the set from left of stage behind the bass cab. King Creosote’s set was a fairly bouncy affair and the front few rows certainly showed their appreciation with some action. KC ended his set, and the festival, with a cover of The Aliens – The Happy Song, a live favourite. I for one left the town hall feeling happy.
Although the festival was technically done and dusted, there were buses laid on to take those still in party mode to nearby Menzies Castle. Certainly not your average setting for an after-party (a 16th century castle) but with outstanding surroundings and a cracking dancefloor friendly playlist courtesy of FOUND it was a fitting close to the weekend. The impromptu, crowd-encircled dance-offs certainly added to the madness. All in all the Aberfeldy Festival was everything I had hoped it would be and without a doubt I’ll be heading back up next year… provided I can get a ticket before it sells out!
