Into Live Music Review: Rianne Downey
There are venues that add to a gig, and then there are venues that feel woven into the very fabric of the night. The Old Fruitmarket is firmly in the latter camp. Standing on its cobbled floor, surrounded by ironwork balconies and the ghost-glow of old Glasgow, you could almost feel the past pressing in. It proved the perfect setting for a homecoming of sorts — a sold-out celebration for Rianne Downey at the end of what’s been a transformational year.
From the moment she stepped onstage, the crowd made it clear that this was going to be a night of warm Glaswegian allegiance. A couple of songs in, a thunderous chant of “No Scotland, no party!” rolled up from the floor, to be met by a grin from Downey that didn’t leave her face for the rest of the set. That shared delight became a running thread, and when she broke into a tender, beautifully unhurried version of “Caledonia,” the room all but wrapped its arms around her.
This sold-out show was the capstone to a remarkable eighteen months for Downey: recording & touring with Paul Heaton, the release of her well-received debut album in October, and the growth of a sound she’s shaping into something unmistakably hers. Imagine early Taylor Swift’s open-hearted storytelling, fused with the melodic bounce of the Proclaimers and brushed with Nashville warmth — then add a shimmer of Celtic lilt that could only come from someone raised on these shores.
The sound was warm & comforting, delivered by a band who seemed very happy to be part of what was becoming a very special evening. They kept things clean and unfussy, carving out space for Downey’s voice and presence to do the heavy lifting. And she did: Sometimes dancing, sometimes leaning into a line with Stevie Nicks-like poise, always commanding the moment without ever overselling it.
Among the highlights, “Angel” stood out precisely because of its restraint — a song allowed to breathe, to land, to do its own quiet work. “Quicksand,” written for her by Heaton, came off like her very own Chas & Dave hoedown, filled with warmth and gratitude. And of course, her cover of The Beautiful South’s “Rotterdam” brought the house down.
Then came the final one-two: “Home” sliding seamlessly into “Good in Goodbye,” sending the place into a joyous swell before she slipped offstage. Leave them wanting more? Rianne Downey absolutely did.
She jokingly refers to herself as a “Poundland Dolly Parton.” On tonight’s evidence, she’s already knocking at the front door of Harrods.
Today, The Old Fruitmarket – Tomorrow, The Grand Ole Opry tomorrow.
Brian Davidson @weepeople1
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