The Unthanks at National Concert Hall, Dublin, 12th March 2015.

In a time where exploitative talent shows encourage ‘shouting’ as many notes as possible thereby totally obscuring anything resembling a melody, it’s absolutely refreshing to hear simple melodies sung clearly and beautifully. Rachel and Becky UnThank are The Unthanks and head up proceedings in the National Concert Hall. They are joined by pianist, arranger and Rachel’s husband Adrian McNally along with a strong backing band comprising a string quartet, bass, drums and trumpet.

One may question the wisdom of a Northumberland folk band in the National Concert Hall but in an evening that includes clog dancing, it becomes clear that these girls are after one thing, making music beautiful, and in this setting they certainly achieve that. They infuse old songs with new sounds, and explore luscious harmonies with added symphonic textures. There are elements of Sufjan Stevens or Damien Rice in the layering but the sound remains very much their own.

The group open with Hawthorn, originally a poem by Charles Causley. Victoria Rule on trumpet and Flugal Horn must to be singled out for her performance; highly nuanced with stunning tone that complimented perfectly the singer’s voices, and weaves intricately in and around the piano. She possesses incredible musicality and is in complete command of her instrument.

The evening pleasingly presents no discernible difference between old and new, the two blend seamlessly into each other, the interjection of unexpected clog dancing merely adding another textual layer to the heady mix of traditional and modern. In Starless, the quartet plays a wonderfully jarring contemporary texture which takes nothing away from this poignant air, actually adding some intrigue beneath.

The evening is full of compelling highlights particularly when violinist and vocalist Niopha Keegan joins the sisters for a hauntingly eerie The Magpie by David Dodds. Adrian McNally includes a sense of orchestral grandness throughout the night but this never overshadows the essence of the band’s core priority, showing off a charming melody.

Mention must be given to the support act, The Young ‘Uns. Comprising of Tim Reardon Don Mutter & Shane Sperling, they succeed in bolting the audience to attention with an a capella Between the Wars by Billy Bragg. They performed twice during the show, at the start of each half and never lifted an instrument, but they filled the hall with powerful songs featuring splendid three part harmonies.