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lochabermod2007.co.uk
Review by Anna MacDonald
The whiskey Olympics 2007 as the National Gaelic MOD is
affectionately known was well underway by the time I arrived
to take in the final Friday. In complete contrast to the
stilted version of the final concert the BBC churn out year
after year the atmosphere in Fort William (FW) was spectacular.
Every pub in an Gearasdan (FW) was packed with fantastic
traditional music, good humoured hecklers and several members
of the all girl choir atomic piseag (kitten) doing their
bit to further the Gaelic cause.
The annual mod is an opportunity for the scattered gaelic
community to congregate together in a very small area for
a week. This inevitably leads to deoch (drink), craic and
a ridiculous amount of fun as people resume conversations
they had in some pub some previous year without missing
so much as a beat.
The ceildh mhor (big) got underway after the BBCs ridiculous
restrictions which had been in place during the winners
concert were lifted. This is always an awesome event which
showcases the best of gaelic talent chosen from the various
competitions during the week followed by an informal night
of dancing, playing and singing. This year it was presented
by Mary-Ann Kennedy, daughter of Kenna Campbell and veritable
Gaelic royalty who admirably moved the bands along whilst
providing bilingual introductions. The line up included
Skerryvore, Skippinish, the local Aberlochy celidh band
(a nice touch to have them and they were remarkably good)
and the gaelic worlds answer to a boyzone- 5 of the best
known young gaelic singers Angus MacPhail, James Graham,
Calum Alex MacMillan, Norman McArthur and Gilbert MacMillan
with Mary Anne guesting. All these boys are previous Gold
medallist the highest honour the Mod can award and it showed.
Accapella with fantastic harmonies throughout produced an
absolutely stunning sound. The only slight hiccup was the
initial difficulty finding Gilbert who disappeared just
before he was due on stage. In true Highland fashion audience
participation was enlisted to locate said wayward gentleman
and he was duly escorted on to the stage.
As I mentioned the BBC cover the whole event with particular
focus on the final concert. This will have to be overhauled
as they produce a tired, boring show which sacrifices the
audience enjoyment for the TV recording by controlling movement
and clapping. If they could have controlled your breathing
they would have. This only serves to take the life out of
the music which does the whole event a huge disservice and
can surely not encourage anyone who sees it to get involved
with gaelic.
So to Falkirk in 2008, not perhaps the most obvious venue
but lets see what difference the arrival of 2000 or so Highlanders
can make.
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