Alan Doyle live in NAC’s Southam Hall

Sunday night’s show with Alan Doyle and his Beautiful Beautiful Band left the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall buzzing (and slightly buzzed) as he played fan favourites, traditional songs and some of his new tunes as well. The night was filled with Newfoundland folk artists who graced the stage for the full house of adoring fans. The night was opened up by St.John natives, Fortunate Ones, who brought their traditional folk sound to fill the hall. Their unforgettable harmonies and accordion laced songs have made their way through Ottawa a number of times, this time bringing with them some new work with a pop twist to it. My first taste of the duo was at Blacksheep Inn when they opened for Nova Scotia’s own Rose Cousins (who is playing the NAC this Friday!) They have also come across the stage at City Folk as well as other stages at the National Arts Centre. The fashionable pair are always a good time, and I recommend you heading out to see them the next time they pass through.

Alan Doyle brought to the stage full energy along with his beautiful beautiful band of talented Canadian artists. Kicking off the night with one of his latest songs Come Out with Me it was a fitting start to the bands set. He had the whole crowd up dancing for the well known songs of Great Big Sea, and the east coast folk in the audience could even keep up with the traditional stuff. Videos played behind the band throughout his newer songs, which gave visual representation of some of the lyrics, (and a possible cameo appearance by Russell Crowe, though I’m not 100% on that).

His new album Week at the Warehouse was recording in Vancouver using old school production of having the whole band recording at once. This provides the album with the same full big band feel that you get in a live show, with the same connections you’d feel between the musicians when you see them performing live.

Find more tour dates here for Alan’s Come Out With Me Tour 

More photos by @elsdurnford