A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
Photography by Vhairi Walker – www.vhairiwalker.weebly.com
*
Aberdeen’s Music Hall was lucky enough to be the first venue in the new Peat and Diesel tour. Support throughout this tour is by Cody Feechan. She’s a pretty young girl who sings and writes her own songs as well as playing guitar. She’s recently signed with Wee Studio Records and should have an album coming out soon which will be well worth checking out. Her songs are quite folky, with a little bit of a country slant to them. Cody introduced each song and we were treated to a set which included: Manhattan Skies, Come Knock on my Door, Stepping Stones and Stuck in a Maze. At one point she asked if we were excited for Peat and Diesel, as obviously her job is to warm us up for the main act, and one gentleman in the audience yelled back that we were excited to see her, which I think she was quite chuffed about.
*
*
Her band includes four talented musicians who played well together and they all seemed to be having fun whilst entertaining us. Definitely pleased we got there early enough to see the support band, as is often the case!
*
*
The excitement for Peat and Diesel was tangible. They have a huge following all around Scotland and these boys from the Hebrides are doing so well for themselves. Their songs are always great fun and they really do put on a good live show… as long as you do not mind a little bit of a wait in between each song as they work out which one to do next and if they know how to play it! They are just normal guys who make wonderful music together and are a joy to experience live. Innes did actually have a set list on the floor under his accordion, but he admitted it was actually for Cody’s set and so not much use to them!
*
*
They played a good mix of the well known songs and some of their newer material. Second song in was my favourite Brandy in the Airidh and we were all singing along especially for the “give it laldly” line! There were some of the Gaelic lyrics, such as Horo Gheallaidh, we had the Kate Martin Waltz and some people actually did waltz which was lovely to see. Innes started this one off after explaining, for those that were not already aware, that he would not be on stage if it was not for Uilly and Boydie as he is not comfortable in the lime light – but he is an amazing accordionist so we should be grateful to the other band members for dragging him along! He does most of the talking on stage too so must be getting more used to it now he has a few year’s experience. Even Uilly, who usually just hides behind his drum kit, was allowed to sing a song this time and did a great cover of Wagon Wheel, with many of us singing along!
*
My son accompanied me to this concert as it’s the first time he’s been old enough to go to one of their proper concerts. Peat and Diesel have been popular in our house since we first heard them and my son even played them in a Gaelic film competition entry his primary school did a few years ago. The band had been great retweeting us when we were trying to get votes and we ended up at the FilmG awards ceremony in Glasgow as the video got nominated for an award. I think we listened to their albums all the way down and back in the car with Owen’s school friend and his Mum! They did manage to see the band play at HMV back in 2020 but it was great for him to experience a full concert, especially as he plays guitar too.
*
*
If you have never seen Peat and Diesel live you are missing a fun night out. They started playing in their houses together, and there’s still an air of that as they chat away and look for their friends in the audience. They are now performing on big stages with fabulous flashing lights and a backdrop with the band’s name on it but they still seem to be three lads having fun making music together, and that’s always a glorious thing to experience.
Further information: https://www.peatanddiesel.band/
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
5D YouTube Channel
Check out our YouTube Channel at https://youtube.com/@5dpopcultureyoutube829?si=wGwmgWKx8fIaT3Os Here there are interviews, reviews, opinion pieces and all sorts of goodies from the pop culture world!
Ko-fee
If you would like to donate to help this website & also gain access to extra content, you can support us here: https://ko-fi.com/5dpopculturewebsite