Monthly Archives: July 2024
Dlù
SWG3, Glasgow
28th June, 2024
On a summer’s eve I turned up to Glasgow’s Swg3 to see Dlu who are a Gaelic band, it was a gig to launch their fresh new album ‘Close to’ released 28th June. Their young talent brought about a great night for the venue of epic traditional music transformed into an anthemic rock concert in energy. All hailing from Glasgow the five piece band show cased their talents that hit all the heights of the lower ceiling.
The impressive lighting and other effects had great timing to them and excitingly how they went out between songs was the place went black; Dlu had chosen the right venue.
The sophistication of sound had come from performers more than capable of each fascinating instrument’s contributions, including accordion, elec guitar, fiddle, bass and drum. Their debut album came in 2022 titled in Gaelic ‘Moch’ (early) and soon they brought their music to stage where having a dance in a cool environment the audience were transposed and very relaxed.
The home roots Dlu’s had support from the likewise group Dana. A 4-piece playing music of killer songs fiddle to vocals, words to percussion.
I felt lucky to be at a Dlu’s gig of such significance, nothing like an album launch concert. Called ‘Close to’ it is an inspired album as they bring great traditional music to the forefront of electric sounds. The layout was a decent one, as we enjoyed the high stage. Their presence on it blew to every corner where resisting those jives was impossible. It made a great night of music into an amazing encounter with impeccable original compositions that burst forth into a scene of Gaelic rock.
The effects of the lighting and smoke, showed this really great timing offering something of the ethereal. As their unique take on fusing Gaelic and electric proved to have a quality of making it to the very best it could be.
The set consisted of songs from the new album and they could stand on the success of the debut album ‘Moch’. One overarching power they had was intimacy which in fact is what the name dlu means. Moilidh NicGriogarr’ fiddle was on fire and Aiden Spiers guitar was not to be ignored. The performance impressively stood out with Zach Ronan on accordion, Seòras Chlad on bass and Andrew Grossart playing the drum. Faster pace’s left you tingling in your bones, as the beauty was shared, the crowd filled with joy.
They take to the traditional roots and carry them forward making culture into musical craft. And they have each played their instruments since childhood and have Gaelic School influence. They took these levels and continually raised the bar, having traces of many rock styles from the past 50 years, I noticed heavy metal licks on electric guitar.
Skill and passion were unleashed through songs that could only be described as an evening of, master ship. The smiles were shared by all experiencing truly great moments and impressive creativity and as they played in line (drums at back) sheer beauty billowed from components that I think helped this gig really transcend, they were fit to perform with their outstanding presence.
Daniel Donnelly
Mumble Music 