Super Sunday at Connect Has Something for Everyone.

★★★★★ (5/5)

LOYLE CARNER HEADLINING DAY 3 OF CONNECT FESTIVAL 2023
PHOTOCREDIT: STUART WESTWOOD

There was a laidback, slow, Sunday start to the final day of the Connect Festival at Ingliston and the schedule of gigs seemed to promise something for everyone with music from the eighties onward.

Early in the afternoon, nineties favourites the Lightning Seeds took to the main stage for a quick run through their memorable back catalogue in front of a select and attentive audience described by singer Broudie as 'Very musical'. They certainly seemed to enjoy the set. The band kicked off with 1996 single 'Change', Ian Broudie's unmistakable Scouse vocal soaring over the crowd. ‘Icing Sugar Coated’ and ‘Lucky You’ were sung back to the band by a delighted crowd but the highlight was the advice song Broudie wrote for his young son Riley, ‘The Life of Riley’. The young Riley now on-stage playing guitar in Dad’s band!

LIGHTNING SEEDS PERFORMING ON DAY 3 OF CONNECT FESTIVAL 2023
PHOTOCREDIT: STUART WESTWOOD

By the time the excellent Public Service Broadcasting were setting up for their gig a large group of youngsters were gathering in front of the stage. Not for the South London musical magicians but for the headliners later in the evening! They were the first of many.

Again Public Service Broadcasting provided an excellent short set of their greatest hits. ‘Theme from PBS’ showed the crowd what they are all about. Top-drawer musical skill, mashed with found footage and matching video stories from a band having great fun. The young crowd (now joined by some slightly older members) got into the music, immediately clapping along with the band to ‘Progress’ and Spitfire and chanting along to ‘Go!’ The band J. Willgoose, Esq. on guitar, banjo, sampling, and keys, Wrigglesworth on drums, piano, and guitar; J F Abraham on flugelhorn, bass guitar, drums and assorted other instruments; and Mr. B who provided the visuals and set design were joined by German singer, EERA for songs from their latest album ‘Bright Magic’ including ‘My Heaven’ and ‘Let’s Dance’. A great set. The band’s new live album ‘The New Voice” is released on the 8th of September.

PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING PERFORMING ON DAY 3 OF CONNECT FESTIVAL 2023
PHOTOCREDIT: STUART WESTWOOD

An excited crowd knew they were in for something different when they saw Raye’s stage setup, with its 30s jazz club vibe. Of course, Raye's voice was also captivating and unique. She shared songs from her newly released, self-published, and now Mercury Award nominated album, ‘My 21st Century Blues’. Her smooth vocal was captivating. She has a range of styles, jazz, blues, and funk, and masters them all. This is her second festival in Scotland in as many months. She played at Radio One's Big Weekend in July. She seemed to enjoy the Scottish crowds and they certainly loved her.

RAYE PERFORMING ON DAY 3 OF CONNECT FESTIVAL 2023
PHOTOCREDIT: STUART WESTWOOD

Beth Orton is one of the country's best contemporary singer-songwriters and her gig at Connect was the last in her European tour promoting her 2022 ‘Weather Alive’ album. Described as Folktronica, a mix of Folk and Electronica, Orton has a unique sound. Accompanied by her excellent band, she ran through some of the great tunes from the Album including the plaintive ‘Friday Night’ and beautiful ‘Fractals’. The set closed to cheers and applause with her 2006 single ‘Shopping Trolley’.

BETH ORTON PERFORMING ON DAY 3 OF CONNECT FESTIVAL 2023
PHOTOCREDIT: STUART WESTWOOD

The biggest crowd of the weekend turned up for American super-group boygenius. Mostly at the younger end of the scale, they were passionate in their adoration of the three young women at the centre of the band. boygenius was formed by Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, all successful singer-songwriters in their own right, and the band has become the story of the summer. Their reputation has grown from festival to festival.

The band started the show offstage with ‘Without You, Without Them' a lo-fi acapella tune which showcased their close harmonies. It was greeted with a huge cheer from the passionate crowd.

The support musicians were on risers at the back of the stage with Bridgers, Baker, and Dacus at the front. The quality of the musicianship was stellar, and the vocals were captivating, but it was their relationship with their audience that was special. Cheers went up as they recognised each new song, lyrics were shared with friends and, on occasion, tears fell.

The set had Americana at the centre across a range of styles, the heart-breaking 'Emily I'm Sorry' and 'Letter to an Old Poet', the rocky 'Bite the Hand' and down-home country 'Ketchum ID'.

The set climaxed with a passionate version of 'Salt in the Wound' which saw Lucy and Phoebe down with the audience, many of whom had been waiting nearly four hours for the chance to be this close to their heroes, and Julien thrashing out an immense guitar solo. The crowd was delighted. This was a truly world-class, professional, and passionate group. Take the chance to see them when you can.

This festival is beginning to create a strong reputation. The showground is an excellent venue with room to move around and relax between sets, it’s large enough for multiple stages not to compete with each other and a good food and drink offer. It has music at its core and provides a quality experience for a huge range of tastes from 80s stars to 21st-century superstars. Get it on your calendar!