Peatbog Faeries at the Apex
Recently we attended or I should say were “treated” to a performance at the Apex Theater in Bury St. Edmunds by the Peatbog Faeries. Labeled one of Scotland’s most popular contemporary folk bands from the Isle of Skye, I had never heard of them until the performance.
Normally performances at the Apex are done where the audience sits in the cushioned seats and watches the performance on the stage. What was cool on this night at the Apex is that they lowered a number of the seats to where there was a dance floor right in front of the band.
Immediately after the Faeries started playing the first song you knew you wanted to get up and dance, and we did.
I would characterize their music as more than contemporary folk. It has some elements of new age and even a rock edge to a lot of their songs. However you label it, it was great. Many of folk/celtic bands you hear have fiddles, pipes, and often a rhythm guitar, which to me can often be somewhat limiting in their performance because over a 2-1/2 hour performance songs can begin to sound repetitious. However the Peatbog Faeries have added keyboards, electric bass, and drums to the mix. It creates sound that is powerful and energetic.
The band features Ross Couper on fiddle, Peter Morrison on pipes & whistles, Innes Hutton on bass guitar, Greame Stafford on keyboards, Stu Haikney on drums, and Tom Salter on guitar.
If you get the chance, definitely see them in person. If you can’t see them in person do the next best thing and buy an album from their website Peatbog Faeries. We bought their newest album “Dust” after the performance and will probably buy others.
Kudos to the Apex Theater for bringing them to town.
Two Digital Gypsies Rating – 5 Stars
