A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson. Photography by Dod Morrison Photography: http://www.dodmorrison.com/
*
Advertised as Nathan Carter and his band, this concert is booked for two nights in the Music Hall which is other unusual for a singer. I was intrigued to see what this show would bring and we were not disappointed, the band are fantastic with five very talented musicians, and Nathan’s voice is quite something! He played accordion for many of the songs, whilst dancing around, and treated us to a few songs on the piano as well (in the second half he even had a sparkly jacket to coordinate with the piano!).
*
Born in Liverpool to Irish descent, Nathan performs a mixture of traditional Irish songs, some Country and Western music, and because he was in Scotland we got Caledonia and some other Scottish songs. There really was something for everyone, including Ronan Keating’s Say Nothing At All and the encore included Walk the Moon’s Shut Up and Dance. Such a brilliant feel good party song, everyone was on their feet and left with huge smiles..
*
*
Music often hits an emotional note and this concert was no different Nathan spoke about his Nan, who is with him on tour, and then an instrumental was Lord of the Dance, which was played at my Nanny’s funeral and brought a wee lump to my throat. He also did the very moving Dear Elizabeth which he wrote based on a 200 year old letter from his ancestor Jack. My favourite song was definitely the last song before the interval, but I will leave you to discover what that is when you catch the tour! It really demonstrated his vocal range and just took your breath away.
*
*
The production was very well done, they had the traditional “big band” idea of having the supporting musicians up on a stage behind the singer’s head. We even had a guitarist standing on the piano at one point to give us a solo in the spotlight! The lights were always on the person or people playing, and were very well done with pretty patterns on the roof, and different colours to suit the songs. The crew obviously knew what they were doing just as well as Nathan Carter and his band members.
*
*
Behind Nathan were big light up letters of his first name, in the modern fashion, so we could not forget that we were watching Nathan! When each musician had a solo they came down to the same level as Nathan, at one point I commented to my friend that the fiddler must get his steps in over the evening because he was up and down the stairs like a yoyo! I think once he actually missed his cue, the camaraderie between the band members was visible and you could see that they were having a laugh as they performed.
*
There were a few funny moments, such as when one of the song lyrics mentioned old people and the spotlight went on to the guitarist who is obviously a little older than the other members of the band. Nathan himself is incredibly fresh faced and young looking, although we did resist buying a cardboard cut out of him, or the calendar where he is in bed on the front cover! Certainly a lot of people had made purchases from the very varied merchandise stall, with several people sporting the pink cowboy hats with his initials on the front! We did grab a selfie with his lorry, which is definitely a first in my concert addicted life!
*
*
The tour continues to various other dates in Scotland and England and it’s definitely a night out worth experiencing – great fun, great energy and it was not just the three-year-old girl (who was at her first concert and got a shout out from Nathan himself) that left with a smile on her face. She and her father were on the front row and he was holding her up in his arms for the encore, when we were all on our feet, and her little face showed she was having the time of her life!
You could do too, if you get tickets now!
Further information: https://www.nathancartermusic.com/
*
Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
*
Subscribing to the 5D Pop Culture Website
If you would like to subscribe (for free) to the 5D Pop Culture Website and keep up to date with our content then just go to the bottom of the home page, submit your email & click subscribe!
5D Reviews
If you are a content creator and interested in having your work reviewed here on the 5D Pop Culture Website then contact us at 5DPopCulture@gmail.com
