Reviewed on 30th August 2012.

Dry the River

Live at Leeds Festival 2012 on Sunday, 26th August 2012

It has been a long weekend and after a double espresso and a slow and laboured walk, I head into the NME Radio1 Tent for Dry the River. I am trying to muster a fragment of excitement, when all I want to do is sleep, after 3 days of music and partying. Dry the River enter the stage, looking like long haired rockers and I thought I have arrived at the wrong tent. But what I found is the most beautifully hypnotic and mesmerising blend of music I have witnessed in my many years of concert going. So the only way to do this justice is to write it as a standalone piece.

In true style, Dry the River create a flawless blend of acoustic and electric guitar, with a resonating baseline, topped off with the delicious whine of the violin. 'New Ceremony' is stunningly heart-warming, folk-rock, supported by a haunting vocal and dramatic harmonies. From the first bar, Dry the River display an amazing connection, delivering each song with such a beguiling intensity, captivating the gathering masses.

Peter Liddle, wearing a Graceland t-shirt (supporting my theory of an evident Paul Simon influence), talks of losing his voice, but this does not hamper his performance. He manages to deliver immensely soaring melodies throughout 'Weights and Measures', which touches me deeply, like I can feel his hands reaching into my soul and each lyric wrapping round my heart.

(In case you couldn't tell) I have to admit to feeling rather emotionally charged as the atmosphere builds and they release their awe-inspiring rendition of 'Demons'. Peter and Scott (on Bass) have an intense face-off, while the music gradually builds to a climactic peak, intensified by the rousing drum and crashing cymbals. At this point I totally immersed in the surreal and hypnotic sound, so much so I lose it and for the first time in years, a tear breaks out and Dry the River melt my cold heart with this thunderous and profoundly emotive sound.

This continues through 'No Rest' and I feel like I am in a bubble in watching an intimate performance, totally immersed and enraptured. I think it can't get any better, but they surpass all my expectations. 'Bible Belt' starts with a heart-rending a capella, inducing goose bumps and the hairs on the back of my neck are stood on end as the tears roll down my cheeks. Dry the River give a gloriously breathtaking and spine tingling performance. I don't want it to end, but it does, and the crowd erupts into whoops, screams and deafening applause. Scott removes his t-shirt and hurls it in to the crowd. It is caught by a girl next to me and I am sure a fight will ensue, but I am frozen, totally stunned by what I have just witnessed.

This is my absolute festival highlight and if you do nothing else this year...go see these boys live. This is what can only be described as magical, musical brilliance!!

Comments

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On 1st September 2012 at 16:55 Jimmy Horrigan wrote...

Saw these guys @ Brudenell earlier in the year and was equally blown away (see gig reviews, Apr '12). Pretty special aren't they Katriona?

On 17th September 2012 at 23:02 Katriona Gilmour wrote...

Hi James, they are very special indeed!! Just read your review. I think you could say we are in agreement. I am really looking forward to seeing them next month...shame it's not The Brudenell though...

On 18th September 2012 at 22:38 Jimmy Horrigan wrote...

Indeedy. Have you seen a vid on youtube - with them on a canal performing stripped down songs on a boat? Very good. Tis here in fact. enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbsMVyLQ35I&feature=relmfu