After a quick meal and complimentary cocktail in Glasgow’s VEGA (situated in the Yotel* by Central Station), we took the disco lift down to the city centre to make our way over to the penultimate night of Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival. Ibibio Sound Machine were playing at Glasgow’s southside Tramway venue but we had to consider a burst mains pipe issue leading to flooding in the G41 area first, as an email was sent around to confirm that the band would still be playing.
Getting the bus over to the venue was something of an ordeal with the burst pipe but we finally got to the venue as the support act was just finishing up. We’d liked to have been there earlier, of course. N’famady Kouyaté finished his set with a buoyant energy taken out on his wielding balafon and unearthed a regret at not arriving at the venue sooner or at least working out a better route south.
Fronted by Nigerian singer Eno Williams, Ibibio Sound Machine brought their vibrant mix of African and electro to the venue. With new album Pull The Rope just out last year, we were indulged with some of the new tracks, kicking off with a spirited performance of ‘Fire’ and a gorgeous rendition of the title track. The personal standout for me was the entrancing ‘Protection from Evil’ (from 2022 LP Electricity), which saw their West African funk and disco move the crowd in more ways than one.
With stunning vocals from Eno, near flawless instrumentals from her band on guitars, drums, brass and synth, it was impossible not to get swayed by the night, letting the second-to-last night of the Celtic Connections Festival carry us away.
Ibibio Sound Machine’s Pull The Rope came out on 3rd May 2024 on Merge Records
* Disclosure: Yotel provided SNACK with a complimentary stay.
