Rianne Downey – Live – Old Fruitmarket – sonicpr

Review By Darren McIntyre

Rianne Downey is a singer/songwriter from Bellshill, Glasgow, who started her musical career aged 16 and was awarded the James McAvoy Scholarship for the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow. Rianne pursued a solo career by busking on the streets of Glasgow, where she covered many songs, both her own and originals, and in 2023 she caught the attention of Paul Heaton when she covered his song Rotterdam. Later that year, Rianne was announced as the singer to join him on tour, replacing Jacqui Abbot. Rianne has gone from strength to strength and has just released her debut album, Consequence Of Love, and is taking it on the road. Tonight she finishes off her UK tour in Glasgow to a sold-out crowd at the Old Fruitmarket, so please join me as I take in this incredible singer/songwriter from Bellshill, Glasgow. The place is buzzing and ready to go as Rianne and her band, The Jeezos take to the stage to rapturous applause from this eager crowd. Rianne says, ‘Hello, Glasgow,’ which brings a huge cheer as she takes us straight into –

Sunblind – A cool, toe-tapping country feel flows from the stage as Rianne lets her stunning, mellow vocals lead the way in this melodic track as we get a real bluesy, country feel from this pint-sized musician. The band The Jeezos are coming in with a nice, dark bassline that just allows the track to ease gently through Glasgow tonight; the bass kicks are controlling the groove as Rianne lets her incredible vocals flow freely through the venue tonight. The soulful strumming acoustic guitar tones are just magical as we feel the energy oozing from the stage tonight as this fantastic singer/songwriter lets herself bring the country to us tonight as we cheer loudly and let Rianne tell us that this is fucking mental, Glasgow, that a wee girl from Glasgow can fill a place like this as we stroll into –

Blue Eyes Burnin’ – The rhythm section kicks off the song with a snappy snare drum beat as the cool, meaty bassline drops in and really gives the track depth as Rianne leans in and lets her fantastic vocals take the track forwards. There is a real softness that really brings the emotion to this classy arrangement as the band brings the groove with ease as we settle into a well-thought-out, mesmerising gig that has it all. The place is really tuned into this young, talented musician from right here in Scotland. There are smooth vocal tones that work so well with band as they deliver a sweet, melodic groove that gets us in the mood as Rianne really lets herself get immersed in this fantastic piece that tells us we are in for a real good ol night of country and pop music that just puts a smile on your face. up next –

The Song Of Old Glencoe – We get a fantastic fiddle intro that works well with the smooth, mellow acoustic tones that are oozing from the stage as we stand motionless and let Rianee bring the vocals. The snare drum taps let the rhythm section control the direction of this incredible piece as the band come together and really let the track wrap itself around us; the snare punches bring depth to the track as Rianne lets her haunting, soulful vocals take us on the journey with her as she brings a real thought-provoking number to the Old Fruitmarket tonight. The place is fixed on the stage as we feel the emotion pouring from the band as we just sing along with the rest of the band as we stroll into –

Because – the guitar pick opens the track as Rianne gets her acoustic strumming tones rippling through the intro as she lets the toe-tapping melodic track take us down the road. The band are working well together as they bring the fiddle tones that just flow freely through the track as we continue with the smooth, country, pop theme as Rianne lets her incredible vocals fill the arena tonight as we watch in awe. The place is rammed to the gunnels and we are all feeling the love as the place sings along and sways from side to side as we just feel the texture, tone and warmth oozing from the stage as the crowd shows their appreciation for Rianne & The Jeezos as they lead us onto –

The Consequence Of Love – Rianne introduces the track as a song that tells us of a certain person that just gets you and makes you understand The Consequence Of Love (see what I did there). The heart-tugging, thought-provoking lyrics really tell their own story as the rhythm section leans in with a punchy bass/snare kick as the cymbal snaps let the track flow freely through the venue. the soaring, melodic vocals are just something else as Rianne really shifts through the gears and just lets us come along for the ride as we feel the music wrap itself around us as the band settles into their stride and just delivers a well-thought-out number that lets us float away with Rianne as she tells her story of how to deal with loss and how to get over it as we roll into –

next –Angel – Acoustic strumming chords ooze from the stage as Rianne lets her smouldering, melodic vocals lead the way with this real classy track that has us all wandering off to feel the emotion coming at us right now. The place is silent and really feeling the emotion pouring from this sensational musician as she has us in the palm of her hand, she is swigging her prosecco and cheersing everyone and thanking us for all coming out to really make this an unforgettable night that she will not forget in a hurry. The vocals are just incredible and the songs seem so personal and really have a meaning for everyone in the crowd, yje songs are short, sharp, full of emotion and just allow Rianne to tell her story her way and then some. up next –

Caledonia – Rianne steps forward and strums lightly on her guitar as she unleashes her incredible vocals as the place gets ready to sing at the top of their lungs as the sweet fiddle tones linger through the intro. The place is silent, and she is really letting her bring her vocals to us with ease as she covers this classic Scottish track as the band just wraps itself around the Old Fruitmarket tonight and brings a real nice touch of Scottish folklore to us tonight. The music is just incredible and a real eye-opener for anyone that hasn’t seen this pint-sized pocket rocket do her thing and it is a real pleasure to to watch this artist go from strength to strength as she takes on all comers with her incredible vocals and unique songwriting that is just a pleasure to watch as the crowd goes nuts for this classic track. up next –

Silly Me (Paul Heaton) – Fiddle wanders through the intro as the rhythm section comes at us with a cool bass/snare beat that really lets this track express itself as the band comes together and lets this soulful arrangement grow. Rianne leans in with her incredible vocals to really allow this track to tell its own story as we are taken along for the ride as she shows us just what has got her here. The place is silent as the band lets the tempo build and really gives us a real treat with this fantastic track that was written by her boss for Rianne to put her spin on, which is just awesome. We are being treated to something special tonight as the Jeezos really deliver a killer groove that lets the place feel the energy coming at us right now as the place feels Rianne and her vocals take us to somewhere new as we stroll into –

Quicksand (Paul Heaton) – Funky piano tones ripple through the intro as Rianne lets her killer vocals lead the charge of this toe-tapping, thigh-slapping groover as the rhythm section comes at us. The funky bassline drops in with a real cool groove that lets the band really come to life with their infectious tone that gets the crowd all moving around as the stage comes to life with ease, the cool piano tones are just elevating the track to another level as the band wraps their incredible tones around us as the rhythm section brings snare / bass kicks as the cymbal snaps let the groove flow freely as the fiddle drops in and really brings a real hint of Scottish tones to the track as we hear Rianne tells us that she is Blowing Oot Her Arse as the time has flown by so quickly which brings a huge cheer from this sold out crowd as she takes another swig of her prosecco and get a cheers back as we move into –

Nothing Better – Rianne chats with us and tells us that this is the first track she wrote for her debut album as the crowd cheers and lets her bring the song to life with her incredible, smooth, melodic tones that let the track breathe. The fiddle tones are lingering through the track as the strumming acoustic strings really let the track tell its own story as we sway from side to side and let the band do their thing as the gig shifts into overdrive. The band have done an incredible job and let Rianne bring her own style to Glasgow tonight as we hurtle through the setlist and really watch this young musician control the crowd with her fantastic vocals that are just something else, coming at us next.

Lost In Blue – A cool snare drum beat flows from the stage as Rianne strums away on her guitar as this mellow track unfolds and just lets us feel the magic pouring from the stage tonight. We are all singing along to this toe tapping, country style track as the sweet fiddle notes fill the air as the bassline drops in with a nice, dark, delicious tone that wraps itself around this cool track, the band are bringing the heat as Rianne stands front and centre and really lets her vocals do the talking as she shouts out come on Glasgow as we cheer back and let the band feel the energy coming at them right now. This is a fast paced, toe tapping number that is a real nice way to navigate through the setlist as we come to a couple of old favourites that get a huge cheer, next up –

Rotterdam(The Beautiful South) – A nice, melodic acoustic tone gets the track underway as we all sing along to this classic hit that gets it’s own identity from Rianne tonight. The rhythm section is coming at us with snare punches and cymbal snaps that really give the track some depth as the bassline hits us with a real mellow, delicious groove that just allows the track to breathe, the place is really getting into the swing of things as the sweet, soothing fiddle adds depth, tone and depth to this classic track that lets the crowd sing along and let Rianne feel the love pouring towards her tonight. The crowd are really getting into the swing of things and enjoying the night that is just getting better and better as we stroll into –

Heart Of Mine – Rianne tells us that she is so overwhelmed by the love, support and outpouring of love that has come her way as she tells us that she started off busking at 15 but knew she wanted to make it and bring joy to many people all over the world. She then tells us that she was lucky that Paul Heaton found her and really let her express herself as the crowd hollers out all sorts of chants that leads us onto the track. The subtle acoustic strumming chords open the track as the soaring, mellow vocals lean in and let this haunting track come to life as we stand motionless and really want so much for this little ray of sunshine, the snare drum beats work well with a cool, dark, brooding bassline that wraps itself around us tonight as the soothing vocals fill every corner of the venue tonight. The place is really enjoying the night, the chat and the cheers that is coming from the stage as we head into the last two tracks of the night –

Home – Acoustic strumming chord lead the song as Rianne leans in with her incredible vocals as she gets the crowd to sing along as the place just fills with joy to let us really take this young lady to our hearts. The track has emotion, depth and killer lyrics that just tell us that Rianne is living her dream as she looks out at all the faces that are staring back at her as she belts out this awesome tune that is just a real good feel factor song that puts a smile on your face as we roll into the last track of the night in the form of –

Good In Goodbye – Rianne steps up to the mic and lets her vocals do the talking as we get banjo strings that work well with the fiddle as we get a cool sort of Scottish feel to the track. The band are just going through the gears as we get a cool, punchy rhythm section that lets the groove wrap itself around us as we clap along and feel the energy pouring from the stage as we let her tell her story as we watch her smile from ear to ear and tell us all cheers from her and the band and thanks us for giving her a colossal Scottish welcome as we end the night in good old fashioned knees up style.

Rianne Downey –

Rianne – Vocals / Guitar

Ray – Guitar / Banjo / Backing Vocals

Sam – Bass

Amy – Fiddle

Lewis – Keys

Peter – Drums

Setlist –

Sunblind

Blue Eyes Burnin

The Song Of Old Glencoe

Because