Setlist: Firefly, Shout, Life, Plunk, Frippa, Earthsong, Wongle No. 9, Mount Ephraim, A New Day, Sacred Run. Encores: Morning Light
Solstice are touring in support of Clann, the final album in a trilogy which has seen their reputation increase and spread. They are firm festival favourites but you can still see them in the more laid back and relaxed venues such as the 300 capacity Jellyman’s Mill. It strongly reminded me of the youth club experience of my younger days – you could even pick your own chair from a varied selection available! Yet this felt very nice and relaxed and fun. Jellyman ‘s late Sunday afternoon Prog gigs are a great idea and a chance to see some excellent bands up close and personal such as Solstice. We need more venues like this.
The support was by Ebony Buckle whose well-crafted songs and beautiful voice made for the perfect appetiser. Ebony returned after the break as part of the Solstice lineup. Now what makes this band so essential to go and see is the astonishing strength in depth they have. The core band, led by founder-member Andy Glass on guitar, is adept and strong on any musical style. There’s the Prog backbone but touches of Funk, Soul and even Reggae are woven into the music, and that’s not even counting Jenny Newman’s quite stunning violin.
The cream on top of this shifting musical landscape is the powerhouse main vocal trio of Jess Holland, Ebony Buckle and (tonight) Leoni Jane Kennedy. They offer a youthful vibrant dimension to the band and the blend of their voices plus the band is a potent combination. Jess takes the lion’s share of lead vocals while Leoni gets to also rock out on her electric guitar at one point. Andy Glass rightly deserves all the acclaim he gets as a great guitarist, and he was on fire, but Leoni was just amazing in her spot too.
The setlist was a fine mix of old songs and new favourites and it’s always interesting from them because this is a band who don’t play the same set time after time. Firefly and Shout made for a brightly optimistic one/two opening salvo. Life followed and is a great song that shows off Jess’s vocals as well as Jenny’s violin. I love the cool-down section too. Plunk rides on a Hammond organ and nagging Reggae rhythm and definitely was a groove, with Andy tearing off a killer solo for good measure. Time for the twisting turning rhythms of Frippa with even a Ceilidh violin section courtesy of Jenny. Earthsong is as relaxing as a warm bath, very pleasant and very appealing. Wongle No, 9 and it’s time to funk things up and this is just terrific live taking on an extra vibe to the studio version. Having the violin and guitars soloing over the top makes it different too! Mount Ephraim is always a firm audience favourite and this was a fabulous version of it.
But the highlights for me were the epic final song Morning Light and encore Sacred Run – just a superb closing duo that left you wanting more. But really there were no low points – just immersive music from a band visibly enjoying themselves. What Solstice do well is to provide a life-affirming positive live experience that is a great antidote to these uncertain times. I have never seen a band so happy to be on stage together and playing for an audience. Check them out if you can.
