Port Cities - Come to the Chapel of Arts

****

Tales of the Sea
 

Port Cities **** are a Canadian three piece band, hailing from Nova Scotia in Canada, were they are pretty huge and play to large audiences in packed theatre's. In the UK they are still getting their name out there so play to the intimate Chapel Arts Centre in Bath to around sixty people sat at cabaret style table. This gives more an instant rapport between both the band and the crowd where you all share the same space rather than gawp at a massive stage from afar.

Port Cities met at a songwriters event in Nova Scotia and  Carleton Stone, Dylan Guthro and Breagh MacKinnon have all has solo careers of their own until “they realised it was easier to take one van to the gig”. Maybe due to the intimate venue, but I get the impression it comes naturally anyway, between each song there is a story which just adds to the cosy atmosphere of the evening. I think it’s true to say they have as many stories, in fact, as they do songs.

One such story was of an “angry looking man” on the table next to them in a pub garden in Wrexham, they were jamming outside. The couple kept getting closer and the band more worried, until they came across and listened. By the end of the track the man was weeping and it will now be the first dance at their wedding and the band have been invited too. In fact I could almost just listen to the stories.

But just the stories would in no way do justice to the amazing songs they have to offer from a tale of lost dreams as you grow up with ‘Astronaut’ to upbeat and successful single in the Canadian charts ‘Back to the Bottom’ they have an amazing range of Folk/ Country songs to offer. From quite a musical heritage too as one member is the son of the Runrig singer, apparently it was quite a sight to see his dad in leather trousers and pyrotechnics on stage.

At one point they managed to knock the power onstage out briefly, so ever the professionals they too to the front stage and sang without acoustic and at the end we were treated to a wonderful rendition of ‘Hallelujah.’ If there is any real justice in the musical world this will be the last time Port Cities somewhere this small as they deserve the large crowds here too, so it was a privilege to be in the crowd for this event.

Review by Jon Cooper and Pictures by Steve Owen

Check Out! a performance Video for 'Back to the Bottom​' Below...