Torridon make a good match for Dingwall Town Hall show
FOLK rock band Torridon will be following in the footsteps of The Beatles this weekend with their first ever headline show at Dingwall Town Hall on Saturday.
But just like the Fab Four, they could face some competition.
While The Beatles famously struggled to attract a large audience with most Highland music fans opting instead for the popular Strathpeffer Pavilion a few miles away, Torridon could see some of their potential audience enticed away not by music, but by football.
With Ross County set to play against Celtic in the League Cup semi-final on Sunday, some Staggies fans might decide to make a weekend if it and miss out on seeing Torridon – ironically enough as Torridon’s only previous Town Hall appearance was to launch their single wishing Ross County well in the 2010 Scottish Cup, We’re on Our Way.
Torridon also have another link to the local side in new singer Alan Hercher Jr, son of the former Ross County, Caley Thistle and Clachnacuddin midfielder.
Hercher, who has been co-writing new material with band co-founder and guitarist Kenny Smith, is just one of a number of recent changes to the popular Highland act following the departure of accordionist and lead guitarist Graham Bell.
"To add to Alan, we’ve got Paul Elliott on lead guitar and since Graham left, the accordion has been shared by Ally Mackenzie and Michael MacMillan," Smith explained.
"Michael plays keyboards as well and Ally plays the whistle and sometimes we have them both on stage, which is a massive sound with eight guys on stage. It’s really driven our sound on. They really add a new dynamic, especially having the two of them because it was either box or lead guitar at any one time."
The new sound will soon be heard on digitally and on disc.
The band have been working with former Blazin’ Fiddles member Marc Clement on recording new material and have plans to release a single, Highland Girl, later this year.
"We’re playing it live in our set and it’s easily our best song out of our own stuff," Smith added.
"It’s a wee bitty different for us and really it’s next level stuff for us."
• Torridon are at Dingwall Town Hall at 8pm on Saturday January 30.
Tickets available in person at June’s Card Shop and The Hair Salon, both on Dingwall High Street, or online at www.fatsoma.com
