A lengthy queue had formed outside the doors to The Foundry, a venue couched in the underbelly of Sheffield University’s Student Union.
From a personal point of view, this was something of a trip down memory lane. It must be 25 years since I last descended those stairs to the dark room below. Not much has changed in the room itself, but tonight was not about getting lost in nostalgia, but looking forward with one of the brightest musical talents Scotland has produced in ages.
Rianne Downey has carved out a delightful niche in the musical landscape, blending a country-inspired sound with something a little more pop and indie.
Before Downey and her band took the stage though we had the pleasure of the company of Middlesbrough’s Amelia Coburn. Effortlessly engaging throughout the set, strumming tales of heartbreak and Tinder tribulations on her ukulele, this was a real treat and the perfect precursor to Rianne’s own brand of authentic indie charm.
With mic stands adorned with flowers, the band arrives to cheers before Downey bounces on to the stage in an ethereal white dress and flowers in her hair. She has an easy, natural charm that immediately warms your heart, delivered with a smile that’s both permanent and infectious while she’s on stage.
The opening quartet of songs are all taken from the new record The Consequence of Love, and from the jaunty opener Sunblind, we get an immediate taste of the shiny personality of the Glaswegian. In The Song of Old Glencoe, we get a sense of Downey’s loyalty to her homeland, a folky ode to north of the border, as she dances, using her beautiful dress to almost spectral effect.
Interspersed in the set are a couple of nods to the work Downey has done with The Beautiful South’s Paul Heaton over the last few years. Don’t Marry Her is a classic that gets the singalong it deserves, as does Rotterdam. Two tracks from the album she made together with Heaton – The Mighty Several – are a demonstration of Downey’s versatility. Quicksand is a great upbeat pop song, while Silly Me leans into some slightly more soulful vibes.
From the new material, to the duets and to old favourites like Home, the voice is undeniable. I’ve said this before about Rianne Downey – she has a voice that can transport you somewhere beautiful. That could be Nashville, the wilds of the Highlands or a Caledonian ceilidh, but either way she has a rare ability to take you on a journey. A very pleasant, wholesome journey that you’re happy to be along for the ride.
Sunny spirited, joyful and uplifting, we all travelled out of that basement student union bar on the wave of Downey’s pure sound and I expect we’ll be riding this one for some time to come.
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