The Laurettes Live Oran Mor celtic connections

Review By Darren McIntyre Images By Scott Anderson

The Laurettes are an all girl band from Scotland who have been described as a powerful Indie / Folk Fusion band with a Celtic rock twist. The girls have been extremely busy on the festival circuit including Tiree Music Festival, Islay Whisky Festival, Mull Music Festival & Rally, Doune The Rabbit Hole, Eden, Lindisfarne, Butefest & Edinburgh Fringe & many many more. The girls have joined acts such as Kyle Falconer, The Hedrons, The Silencers, Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5 and are about to join Skerryvore the finale of their Winter Tour, the girls brought us their debut album Meet Me At The Mainstage and this has catapulted them into the mainstream and gathered them a new legion of fans, tonight they hit Oran Mor as part of CelticConnections and the gig is sold out and I believe this is their first sold out headline show to date. Please join me as I take in what is sure to be an epic night of kick ass tunes, quality banter and a good ol jig is goint to be had as the lights dim and the PA fades as the girls hit the stage to –

Destiny’s Child – I’m A Survivor belts out from the stage as the girls assemble one by one as the place goes nuts and welcomes this all female band of fantstic musicians and it is my first time checking these girls out. The night comes to life as Lauren & Lynette bellow out that this is mental as they look out at the sea of faces that have come to support the girls on this truly special night, they say their thank you’s and ask us do we want to hear some music and the place shouts back yes as the girls launch into –

Witches – The track ripples into life as the girls come front and centre as this foot stomping arrangement bursts into life as Lynette brings fiddle tones that add depth to this classy groover, Linzi is giving the track swagger as she lets the guitar licks wander freely on the stage as the rhythm section controls the direction of the track as it brings heavy, pumping bass kicks that work well with the composition as the girls settle into their stride well as the upright bass tones let the track tell it’s own story as this cool number really brings the story of the girls and what they are all about, the fiddle notes are just awesome as the girls are really going for it as the smiles on their faces tell the story of how they feel right now llet me tell you. The crowd are really feeling the heat and I can tell you that it is a real mixed bag of punters tonight and that just shows us that this all female outfit are doing something right as we stroll into –

Dopamine – The fiddle really comes at us with a real cool tone as the girls let their vocals do the talking as this toe tapping ditty gets the crowd all up and about, the rhythm section is kicking up a storm at the back of the room as the place starts rocking and a rolling as we get into the party mood. The upright bass is dropping in with real cool grooves that work well with the sweet, crisp guitar tones that are oozing from the stage tonight, the tunes are fast, furious, funky and have plenty of swagger as the girls let their vocals lead the charge on this fiddle laden Scottish melodic piece as the crowd are all dancing around and feeling the love oozing from the stage as we rejoice on a Monday night in Glasgow and lets face it where else would you rather be lol, up next –

Guinness – A deep pounding bass kick lets this track cut loose as the girls let their awesome vocals lead the way in this hoe down classic as the snare drum punches fill the air and give the track a real solid footing. Lynette is giving it laldy on the fiddle as the girls dig deep and let us have it large as we are swaying from side to side and really feeling the love as the girls sing back cheers a Guinness and this lets the crowd throw up their drinks in celebration of this fantastic girl band as they really put a smile on your face with their sweet, melodic tunes that are just infectious. The tunes get us all movin around as the tone wraps itself around Oran Mor and tells us that this will be are real fun way to spend a Monday night in the company of this cool band as they bring a touch of Scotland to Great Western Road tonight, up next –

Disgracefully – The tempo shows no signs of slowing down as the tone ramps up in this toe tapping tune as the girls lean in and let their vocals do the talking as a nice keys ripple through the intro. The acoustic strumming chords are oozing from the stage as the girls shift through the gears and really deliver a polished no nonsense set that just puts a smile on your face, the upright bass is dropping in with dark, delicious grooves that really let the track sway and let us get into the whole experience of this magical night of folk inspired tunes that really grab your attention. The sweet melodies that come from the girls is just awesome as they are literally smiling from ear to ear with sheer joy at the sea of faces staring back at them tonight, we grab a breath for a second as the girls thank us again for coming out on a Monday night to listen to them tell tales and sing songs as they slip into –

Granny – The beat is just cool as the girls tell us that this is a song close to their hearts and the crowd goes ooohhhhh, the tempo kicks in as the girls come at us with nice, sweet acoustic strumming chords. the place joins in and really gets behind the girls as they put their own spin on this Scottish classic that gets the place in real party mood and really gets us dancing about and feeling the tempo grab a hold of us, the girls are having fun and are enjoying the experience of this sold out, sweaty night that is just getting better and better as we move onto –

Tiree – Acoustic strumming tones ripple from the stage as Lauren & Lynette bring the track to our attention as the fiddle comes front and centre as the rhythm section leans in with solid snare drum punches as the place feels the love oozing from the girls tonight as we sing along and dance around. The guitar is rippling in the background and giving the track depth as the crowd sings along and gets into the party mood with the band. The whole night is just gliding along and letting everyone know that they are here for a good time as the tempo changes pace and lets the snare drum punches rain down on us as this funky, melodic number builds and builds as the girls get us to sing along and feel the love, the place is buzzing and the crowd are just letting the night grab them as we move onto –

Burn – The track erupts from the stage as the rhythm section lets us know that it is here and ready to party as the girls let their vocals lead the charge in this fast paced, punchy fiddle laden arrangement. The guitar is giving the track a slick, edgy feel as the acoustic tones are running through the track with ease as this toe tapping groover lets the place party and allows the fiddle to really elevate the track as the place is on fire and I can tell you there is no better place to be tonight than right here at Oran Mor as the girls just up the anti with this real killer track that gets the place singing at the top of their voices as we sing and dance along to this real feisty number as Linzi gives it laldy with the slick, crisp guitar riffs that let this track breath and tell it’s own story as we roll into –

Upty Us – The girls chat with us and tell us a story about one night when they were out and someone asked them where are you going and they said it’s Upty Us. Acoustic strumming chords are pouring from the stage as this melodic number comes at us as Lynette & Lauren bring their incredible vocals to brighten up our night as the place stands silent as this real thought provoking number eases through Oran Mor tonight. The tone is really spectacular as we feel the lyrics wander freely through the venue as the girls tell their story that just makes sense, the place is just looking at the stage and feel the emotion coming back at them as the girls deliver a fantastic night of Scottish Folk music that is just incredible, the band are tight, talented and on fire as they bring us a sweet, mellow night of tales, tunes and drinking that just resonates with everyone in the venue tonight as we wander into –

Homebird – A punchy bass kick wanders from the stage as the fast, furious tempo ripples from the stage as the girls let their groove hit us with all it has as the rhythm section kicks in the doors as this foot stomping bruiser lets us feel the groove. The fiddle is just awesome as Lynette cuts loose and really gives the track swagger and tempo as the place starts bouncing as we get into the tempo driven track that hits us with a cool upright bass tone that wraps itself around us tonight as just allows the track to tell it’s own story. The vocals are just stunning as the girls look like they are enjoying themselves tonight as they sup on their Lager & Cider as they again thank us for coming out to support them in their quest to conquer the world with their infectious, toe tapping, groove laden songs which gets a huge cheer as we roll into

Not Going Home – Lynette tells us to get ready as the fiddle oozes from the stage as a punchy rhythm section lets the groove flow as the girls let their killer vocals tell the story. The upright bass is hitting us with deep, dark, mellow grooves as we party with the girls as they deliver a cool, punchy arrangement that is a little like an anthem as they get the crowd to sing back to them as they really let their hair down with this hoe down style piece that is just building and building as the tempo changes into La Bamba La Bamba as the fiddle lifts the tempo as the place joins in with the singing as we get all funky and really get into this fantastic outfit as they entertain us with their classy music that just puts a smile on our faces as we stroll into –

Mainstage – Piano tones get the track off the ground as the girls shout out ‘look at the person next to you and tell them you love them’ as the vocals ease through the venue as the girls bring the party. The rhythm section is commanding the room with snare drum punches that bring in cymbal crashes that really give the track that party feel, the acoustic strumming chords are keeping the song on track as the girls cut loose and really up the tempo of this toe tapping, groove laden track that has the place singing and dancing with ease as we hurtle through this awesome setlist at a rate of noughts and just let ourselves feel the love swirling around us. The clapping gets louder and louder as the bass / snare drum punche bring the heat as we sing along to this cool little number as we shift through the gears and lean into –

Glasgow(New Track) – The bagpipes get their first outing in this new song that the girls will be releasing on the 13th Feb and they want us to download and get it into the charts. The acoustic strumming holds the tune as fiddle tones ripple through the venue as the girls let their vocals do the talking in this uptempo, toe tapping number that is short, sharp and really pops as we stroll into –

Chase The Sun – The track comes at us with a real acoustic strumming vibe as the fiddle tones linger through the intro as the place gets ready to party with this awesome anthem that has been given a makeover by the girls. The track features on the darts and is a real banger of a track that gets the girls telling their own story of this techno based groover as Lauren & Lynette dig deep and put their own spin on this classic anthem, the tone is just awesome as the band gets into the beat and gets them pouring their hearts out to give us their best show tonight and I can tell you they have done just that, next up –

Donald (Where’s Yer Troosers Ft Jarad Rowan) – The bagpipes are again on show as the place sings along as we get into the party spirit with this classic Scottish mosher track. The girls let their vocals flow as the snare drum punches join with the fiddle as Lynette gives it big licks as the tempo changes pace and Anna brings the bagpipes to this toe tapping number as we sing and dance along to this little cracker of a track that eases us into the final track of the night –

Techno Viking – The girls get the track off the ground with this fast paced groove laden number that gives us piano tones that work so well with the cool acoustic strumming tone that is oozing from the stage. The rhythm section is bringing the groove with snare drum punches and cymbal crashes that just ripple through the track, the girls ask us to sit or squat down as the track takes a funky turn as the girls ask us to join in and really give it laldy. The upright bass is wrapping itself around the track as we feel the tone drop into this Viking Themed piece as we bellow back heave ho – lets go which just gets everyone moving and feeling the fun roaring through the venue tonight as the girls lead the charge with their cool, mellow vocals and cool piano tones that are filling the air as we say goodnight

The Laurettes –

Lauren – Acoustic Guitar / Vocals

Lynette – Fiddle / Keys / Vocals

Linzi – Guitar

Ari – Upright Bass

Anna – Bagpipes

Amanda – Drums

Setlist –

I’m A Survivor Intro

Witches

Dopamine

Guinness