Review: THE SHAMROCKS, Cambridge Theatre - Tour
Photo credit: Supplied by the production
There is something about Irish music that makes it hard not to sing along, and get up and dance to. And that’s exactly what The Shamrocks brought to London’s Cambridge Theatre as part of their UK debut tour.
The five-piece band, formed in 2018, originate from Belfast and are made up of two sets of brothers, Jack and Raymond Walsh, and Jimmy and Nathan Johnston, alongside Matthew Campbell. This immediately gives the band a tight-knit family feel. And there is even a lovely family connection within the music, with the father of Jack and Raymond playing on the bass.
The concert feels like a celebration of Irish music and culture. Between songs, the band members share stories about Irish history and the significance behind the pieces they had chosen. This adds another layer to the performance, providing a better understanding of the music, and makes the evening feel quite personal.
The setlist is a thoughtful combination of original material with more well-known familiar pieces. There are plenty of upbeat numbers where the audience dance along. Yet it is the harmonies that are the most striking, with the vocals being consistently impressive. Their rendition of ‘Danny Boy’ is particularly beautiful, with the most stunnning harmonies. Towards the end of the concert, they perform ‘Pouring Glass’ acapella, where their vocals really shine. Whilst they provide plenty of energy and entertainment, the vocal talent is what really holds everything together. The musicians are also fantastic, providing a brilliant accompaniment throughout.
What resonates throughout is that the performance never feels as though it's dominated by one particular member. Everyone gets their moment, and there's a real sense of the five members working together rather than competing for the spotlight. It is so enjoyable seeing how much they are having fun on stage, What we particularly enjoyed was how much fun they seemed to be having. The evening felt more like a party with the audience constantly on their feet dancing with the band.
This is what make The Shamrocks so enjoyable. The warmth and sense of family is reflected throughout the evening. Their love and enthusiasm for what they do is infectious.
The Shamrocks' UK debut tour is a wonderful showcase of Irish music, combining beautiful vocals, brilliant musicianship and plenty of personality. There is much to enjoy for those who are already familiar with their music or discovering them for the first time.
A feel-good and dance-filled evening of Irish spirit, stunning harmonies and joyous music.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Alexandra Tullah
The Shamrocks continue their tour until 20 November, with further info here.