LIVE REVIEW: Eivør @ Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow
The Faroe Islands aren’t at the forefront of most people’s consciousness. However, this small territory shares a fair amount of commonalities with its faraway neighbour, Scotland. Both share an abundance of biting wind, rain, and sheep. So it’s heart-warming to see singer-songwriter EIVØR‘s sole Scottish gig at Glasgow’s Queen Margaret Union bustling. Initially, this concert was set for the smaller Garage, the same venue she last headlined in 2022. Since, she has supported the wildly successful HEILUNG, so the upgrade can surely be put down to overwhelming ticket sales, most likely from increased exposure in her mighty support slot. Support comes from the highly acclaimed Norwegian singer-songwriter SYLVAINE, which this reviewer frustratingly missed due to typical train woes.
EIVØR and her backing band go straight for the jugular by starting with the new song Jarðartrá, a dark and pensive electronic number. This gig promotes new album ENN, another entry into the sumptuous, high-quality discography. The headliner’s success is undoubtedly due to her work providing music for the TV show The Last Kingdom and God Of War video games. However, it’s unfair to limit her talents to Viking-inspired folk music. Her solo career varies enormously from this and incorporates plenty of well-constructed synthpop, trip-hop, electronica, folk rock, jazz, and more.
ENN showcases her diverse range of influences to craft. The second song of the night Hugsi bert um teg is unadulterated contemporary synthpop with bittersweet yearning and a punchy chorus to get heads nodding and feet dancing. Her backing band consists of drummer Per I. Højgaard Petersen, electric piano and synth player Mattias Kapnas, and electronic sampler/upright bassist Mikael Blak.
The Faroese singer’s personality is also equally applaudable. She comes across as polite, earnest and humble on stage. She cracks a few jokes, smiles plenty and, most importantly, is a perfectionist across her instruments and vocal lines. Her upper range is particularly awe-inspiring, clean and effortless while sending chills down the collective audience’s spine. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the fans are most appreciative and resemble a sea of smartphones when she draws out her bodhrán drum, indicating Norse folk favourite Trøllabundin. The highlight of this song is the beguiling throat singing accompanied by a haunting bodhrán beat. Another fantastic older number aired out is the English-language Skyscrapers, which EIVØR precedes with the observation: “We don’t really have skyscrapers in the Faroe Islands…but I have seen them.”
Other ENN selections include ballad Purpurahjarta, the rousing Upp Úr Øskuni and Gaia. Every note sounds pitch perfect, and the sound engineer has done a brilliant job at providing crystalline sound throughout the night. With such a flawless back catalogue, the crowd is privileged to enjoy older compositions, such as the commanding Salt, the tribal Í Tokuni and the fragile Gullspunnin. The latter ends the show but EIVØR and her backing band’s hasty departure signifies an encore. Sure enough, they return for one final song, Falling Free. This fantastically rounds out what can undoubtedly be considered a spiritual and energising concert, full of talent and passion.
Rating: 9/10
Check out our photo gallery from the night’s action in Glasgow from Duncan McCall here:
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