McCusker, McGoldrick, Doyle - 20 February 2025

Another appearance at the Beacon for this trio and another treat for the audience. I will say though that they saved the best for the beginning! The opening track led by Mike McGoldrick on bagpipes was a gorgeous air, mournful and yearning that was just beautiful. Actually the rest of the gig was excellent too. Perhaps more of John Doyle leading songs this time and a bit less of Mike McGoldrick but he delivers those folky songs with gusto. It was a nice ambience too exemplified when John McCusker decided to play a song they hadn't played for years and then let John Doyle hang in the wind as he tried to cover his confusion by changing guitars and tuning. They played the usual mix of mainly Scottish traditional tunes with Irish folk songs led by John Doyle. He led the encore in a rousing version of 'Billy O'Shea'. It was a shame that Transatlantic Sessions didn't come to Bristol this year but this gig helped make up for that.