Gig Review - The Little Wattlebird Band at the Pirate Playground, Scarborough

Have you ever been to a gig that overlooks the sea? Well, that's exactly what occurred quite recently when Vanessa and I were enjoying a Sunday morning stroll along Scarborough Beach. We were fortunate enough to come across The Little Wattlebird Band, performing live at the Pirate Playground.

This dynamic duo presented their music with dexterous musicianship and superb harmonies throughout. The setup was quite modest with a small PA, an acoustic guitar and a ukulele providing the sound, and two vocals leading the way from the front. The harmonies were particularly effective in that they didn't move in and out of the song but continued throughout, Simon and Garfunkel fashion. Not the easiest thing to do, but highly effective.

The set featured mainly originals with a few covers thrown in for good measure, all performed in the band's own inimitable style. The performance included some real standouts such as the charming "Birds in My Neighbourhood" and the intriguing "Ladybird" which really captured the imagination of the relatively sparse but highly engaged audience. The delightful "Pearly Shells" and the sprightly "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head", also hit the target, although there wasn't a cloud in sight. Other standouts include the enticing "Little Magpie-Lark" a gentle ballad, highly descriptive and perfect for such a fine, sunny day.

The sprightly "Octopus's Garden" was delivered with both confidence and expertise, as were some of the other more familiar songs in the set including "Walking on Sunshine" which gently picked up the tempo and had the kids bopping along in delight. Despite the lack of live bass and drums there was plenty to dance to here, but the main strength of the set lies in the way they effortlessly create a delightful atmosphere for the surrounding spectators.

Many of the songs featured lyrics which captured the mood of the day; perfect for a band who write songs about the beauty of nature. Songs such as "Ride in a Cloud" or "Make a Rainbow" aptly suited this wonderful event, as was the somewhat nimble "Blue Banded Bee Buzz" providing additional colour harmony and warmth throughout.

The band finished off with the superb "Nature's You and Me" which really summed up the entire experience. Songs about nature, sung with breathtaking harmonies, and delivered with the kind of warmth and charisma often missing in many live performances. The Little Wattlebird Band are a relatively new act, and like all new artist could really use your support, so be sure to check them out on YouTube and Spotify, where you will find a treasure trove of melody and lyrical inspiration for the whole family to enjoy.

The Little Wattlebird Band - the sound of nature.