Alan Doyle At Capacity in Ottawa

Alan Doyle and his Beautiful Gypsies band made their return to Southam Hall this week and we couldn’t have been happier to see and hear them!

On the same day Canadian singer, songwriter, actor and writer Alan Doyle announced his leading role in the PEI play “Tell Tale Harbour” (summer 2022), he brought his band of Beautiful Gypsies to Southam Hall at the NAC in Ottawa for the Rough Side Out tour. They are touring extensively throughout Canada and the USA and this was the first full capacity crowd in the iconic venue since the beginning of the pandemic.

Opening act was third generation singer/songwriter Kelly Prescott, native of Clayton ON.  She was accompanied by her guitarist for a sampling of soulful music from her latest album “Love Wins”, as well as a few from her last EP, “Hillbilly Jewels”.  Kelly just signed a contract with Warner music and we expect many more great things to come from this hometown sweetheart.

Alan Doyle was in fine form when he took the stage for a concert that had been long overdue as it had been delayed over two years because of the pandemic.  Loyal fans held on to tickets in the hopes of hearing their favourite troubadour carry them away. He sang a collection of songs from his solo career (Boy on the Bridge, So Let’s Go, and A Week at the Warehouse) as well as some classics from his many years with Great Big Sea.

He never fails to deliver, and tonight was no different. He managed to get the shy Ottawa crowd UP and singing old shanties and newer compositions all to popular acclaim.  The masked and fully vaccinated crowd was really ready for some entertainment and a good singalong after nearly two years of confinement. Always personable, Alan noticed a sign in the crowd and stopped the music to acknowledge the young fan carrying it, putting on his mask and bringing him up to the stage to sign it. I remember him taking the time to sign my own daughters’ t-shirts at RBC Bluesfest many moons ago.

Born and raised in Petty Harbour Newfoundland and hailing from a very musical family Alan plays electric and acoustic guitar, the bouzoki, mandolin and banjo.  He and his band leave it all on stage and never fail to satisfy even the rowdiest of crowds and providing a fantastic night of entertainment.   After 2 years of isolation, he was a balm to the soul of this concert goer, and the safety protocols at the NAC made me comfortable enough to thoroughly enjoy the evening.  Well done! And as always thanks for the music!

Alan and his band continue their tour throughout Ontario before dipping their toes into the US concert scene in mid-February.

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