Worth the wait ‘til the Midnight Hour
Thursday, 20th July 2000 – The Orcadian

1,200 dance the night away!

It really was the case of having to wait ‘til the Midnight Hour for the 1,200-strong crowd who filled the Pickaquoy Arena for an evening of live entertainment headlined by The Commitments on Friday – but they produced a highly professional performance once they did appear.>
They certainly thrilled the Picky audience, which, on a quick scan of the audience, seemed to range in age from somewhere in the late 50s.

While the personnel was not the same – and the lead vocalist did not quite have the personality of the on-screen original – the by then well-entertained crowd were treated to polished versions of all the favourite numbers from the film, which had them dancing all the way through until the set ended just over an hour later.

However, this late-night set from The Commitments was only part of the story of what was a great evening of live music, starting with an un-publicised appearance from Hadhirgaan. Fresh back from Canada, these talented youngsters were well received by earlier arrivals at Pickaquoy, who had filled most of the seats in the Arena by about 9pm.

Then the Silver Penguins, including an apparently recently shorn Brian Cromarty and Douglas “Buffalo Bill” Montgomery, soon had those on the floor jumping with their infectious blend of rock and no-holds barred fiddle beaks. Awesome stuff, yet again.

Blue Mother slowed things down a bit, but upped the tempo towards the end of their set, and it looked like on-form lead vocalist Leah Johnston – in cowboy hat and ankle-length coat – might just have been the one who skinned Mr Montgomery’s buffalo!

Third on were the Howlin’ Gaels, hailing from across the Firth. With their usual no-nonsense approach they progressed the evening’s entertainment nicely up to the appearance of the main act.

All in all, a fine night of live music. The only criticism might be that we could have done with one less support act – but who would you leave out?

Final mention to the Pickaquoy Centre, and the chaps from the Orkney Rugby Club – well-run show in a top venue, and I never had to wait more than two minutes for a drink!

RL