The Dancer Belly of the Smirnoff Underbelly can best be described as a brick oven. Thank goodness, then, that the folk-pop of the Fence Collective induces only a tap of the foot or the nod of a head, for any more movement would have caused serious dehydration.
On this night the Fife based collective were showing three bands, including one from America. King Creosote was the only name I could make out amongst the ensemble, as he plugged his latest single, due (he hoped) out on the 18th September.
It is the shared experience of making beautiful music that is clearly the focus of the musicians, with individual egos put neatly to one side. There is little communication with the audience between songs, but everyone’s attention is captured by the gentle, yet heartfelt, melodies.
This event is an ideal opportunity for tourists, and natives alike, to experience the modern edge of traditional Scots music. The Fence Collective is a very pleasant reminder that in this international festival the Scots have a lot to offer.
4/5
Gareth Braddick
