An absolute pleasure: Madra Salach live in Glasgow
With support from Little Grandad, the Irish contemporary-folk band’s sold-out show was one of those rare ‘you had to be there’ gigs.
Photo: Emily Lipson
Name a gig where you get shiver-inducing goosebumps one minute, heartwarming crowd singalongs the next, hear phrases like “big shout-out for stick and hoop” and watch a man down three cans of Irn-Bru. The answer is Madra Salach’s sold-out gig at Glasgow’s Saint Luke’s.
The band’s only Scottish date on their highly sought-after UK autumn tour attracted so much demand that a huge waiting list formed, with hopeful fans even turning up outside the restored parish church venue without tickets in the hope of getting in. For everyone lucky enough to be standing beneath the room’s fairy lights, there was a palpable sense that we were in for something special.
Opening the evening were the equally hyped Little Grandad, whose sprawling blend of Americana and indie rock encouraged plenty of gig-goers to head to Glasgow’s east end early. Kicking things off with Sleepwalking, the quartet showcased both their musicality and appetite for expansive yet intricate arrangements. Drummer James Brennan’s rhythmic dynamism and ferocious playing were matched by guitarist and trumpet player Ned Ashcroft’s rich brass arrangements, while the band’s harmonies were nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Madra Salach then emerged to the familiar melody of The Lonesome Boatman, immediately quieting the giddy room. As the band took their seats, the lights illuminated Saint Luke’s organ, creating a moment of stillness before the night burst into life.
Their ferocious cover of Tunnel Tigers wasted no time in getting the room moving; its thudding drums and intense instrumentation accompanied Jack Martin (mandolin/synth) headbanging with such abandon that you couldn’t help but wonder how he avoided whiplash.
Frontman Paul Banks is a formidable presence when the music is playing but, between songs, he comes across as one of the nicest people you could hope to share a room with. His abrupt little thank-yous, delivered with a small smile, only add to the band’s natural comedic rhythm. He has a knack for speaking to a room full of people as though he’s chatting to old friends, and the affection unmistakably flows both ways as the Scottish crowd were completely onside, revelling in every note, joke and offhand remark.
The six-piece’s musicianship, meanwhile, never let up. Their take on The Pogues’ Turkish Song of the Damned – featured on the forthcoming 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan – showcased the band’s ability to honour a song while making it entirely their own, before a cover of Neutral Milk Hotel’s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea brought another wave of warmth to the room. As the song swirled to an end, Banks borrowed Martin’s tin whistle and made a hilariously valiant attempt to play it himself, perfectly capturing the balance of musical sincerity and irreverence that defines the band.
And then came the Irn-Bru. As has become standard, Martin took the mic for what can only be described as his stand-up section of the show. Declaring Irn-Bru as one of his favourite drinks of all time, he set about downing three cans to the delight of the cheering crowd. It looked increasingly painful, eventually prompting him to admit, “I can’t do it, I’ll get sick,” before he downed the final mouthful. Gloriously ridiculous and entirely unnecessary, it was somehow exactly what the night needed.
There was also plenty of new material too. The band previewed unreleased songs from their recently announced debut album, Gorta, including Bolg, an up-tempo number with a delicious undercurrent of darkness, and Searrach. If these tracks are any indication of what the record has in store, anticipation is more than justified.
Yet, Madra Salach’s greatest strength remains their ability to make a room full of strangers feel something profound. The Man Who Seeks Pleasure was — once again — impeccable, with the entire crowd singing along to every line. This was my third time hearing it live this year, and it remains one of those rare musical moments that makes you suddenly conscious of being alive. There is something extraordinary about a song that can make you stop, take stock and feel the weight of the present moment. Hearing an entire room sing it together was a reminder of just how deeply this band’s music resonates.
There is no doubt that Madra Salach are a phenomenal live band. What this Glasgow show proved, however, is that their appeal extends far beyond technical ability. They can move you to goosebumps, have you singing with strangers, make you laugh at the most ridiculous statements and leave you with the unmistakable feeling that you’ve been part of something special. So, do yourself a favour, and get yourself to one of their gigs. Just don’t be surprised if you leave wondering when you can see them again.