Talisk - The emerging sound of Scotland

****2/3

A beautiful masterpiece

(Bristol Beacon Festival - Lantern Stage)

Talisk ****2/3 On Friday 10th May 2024 a phenomenon, often found much further north, was visible from Bristol in Southwest England. It was welcomed with dazzling lights colour and a spectacular show, that’s right Scottish band Talisk were headlining the Bristol Beacon - Lantern stage. Apparently, some people happened to see the Northern Lights that night too, but we can assure you that was far less exciting.A three-piece band of guitar, fiddle and melodeon they’ve been going for ten years now, currently they are on their ‘Maverick' tour.

The stage is set with three chairs on risers, lots of pedals and blue lights drifting through the smoke, before they come on stage it looks a bit like the launch of a new office chair they might show on ‘The Apprentice’. Soon the band appear to rapturous applause, they evidently have quite a lot of local support. The city does have a strong Folk scene. They break into their first tune and the place erupts again, this time with dancing, which dependent on the tune of course, barely stops for the next ninety minutes or so. Mohsen Amini is the only original member remaining and naturally takes the role as front man.  As well as constant communication with his band mates, sometimes just by a timed look, he also acts as conductor to the crowd jumping on his chair and getting everyone clapping along.

Being mostly tunes, rather than songs, there is only opportunity to sing along with a slightly slower number. But most of the time it is fast paced and frenetic, with a wonderful light show. In fact, Mohsen called it a “Folk Rave” and that perfectly sums it up. A chance to dance, whilst being totally embraced by the swirling tunes around you. It’s almost impossible to stay still while experiencing the musical whirlwind that makes up a Talisk gig.

Quite a credit to the venue too, that this event was happening in the smaller Lantern, whilst another gig took place in the main hall. I think next time Talisk come they should be in the bigger hall, but while wanting them to have as much success as possible, the smaller hall almost suits them more. Keeps the intensity couped up and ready to explode. The set end with another fast-paced tune, then in a nod to the rave element, maybe, we danced out the room with Vengaboys playing though the speakers. Not necessarily the traditional end to a Folk gig, but I don’t think anything about a Talisk gig is what you’d find elsewhere and that’s exactly what I loved about it. 

Review by Jon Cooper and Photos by Steve Owen (Icarus Photography)

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