Nordic folk band Kalandra made their first ever headline appearance on Irish shores last night at The Grand Social and man they just blew the place apart right from the get-go with their roots in melancholic Nordic folk and gritty guitars, think Wardruna but a bit heavier with ethereal melodies creating musical landscapes that wakens the soul and you just cant but move to the sounds as you are taken over and transported to a new land or dimension.
Playing songs old and new we were treated to a sixteen very strong set and the packed venue lapped up every minute of every tune, even down to the lighting this band have it sorted by creating an atmospheric stage setting.
Lets hope its not to long before the band return as this soul needs to see more.
Opening the night was Dublin based multidisciplinary artist Mary Keane AKA Cormorant Tree Oh who takes inspiration from folk, psychedelia, horror soundtracks and nature field recordings to create a wonderful blend of sounds accompanied by her ever so haunting voice.
It has been said by Daragh Lynch of Lankum that she is ”like Kate Bush if she took too many mushrooms’ and i couldn’t agree more.
Cormorant Tree Oh photos:
Kalandra photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Intro
The Waiting Game
Slow Motion
Naive
I Am
Virkelighetens Etterklang
Bukkehorn jam
Borders
Untie the Knot
Segla
Ensom
Are You Ready?
It Gets Easier
The State of the World
Helvegen (Wardruna cover)
Brave New World
Bardaginn
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic