Attending Elephant Sessions’ gig in Aberdeen on their end-of-year tour, it was clear this was a night that meant something and they did not disappoint. Aberdeen’s famous Music Hall hosted the sold-out show, acting as the backdrop to a cinematic and theatrical evening. Having refined their sound since 2012, ES have built a considerable following through their unique mix of funk, electronica and Scottish trad music. This was evident in the crowd that December night: a festive feeling of passion, togetherness and genuine celebration as the year drew to a close.
Beluga Lagoon
Andrew O’Donnell did not let such a big stage swallow him up. The backdrop of the organ pipes was the perfect place for him on this cold December night. Beluga Lagoon has been TikTok viral for months thanks to the remix of his song The Glen but Andrew showed the audience exactly his capabilities – both solo and with a band – he is phenomenal. His stunning vocal echoed round the room and there was a fair few dedicated fans in the audience, the hall filled up early for his set and the support was nice to see. O’Donnell can make you feel things that you didn’t know you felt, his lyricism is stunning and to watch him switch between guitar and piano throughout showed just how versatile and talented he is. He joked before his closing number – “Those guys are far more professional than me, fake it till you make it”. – showing just how humble the Scots are, as I’m sure with his many sold out shows he’s aware of how good he is.
Elephant Sessions
There was no slow build to Elephant Sessions’ set. They hit hard with the first tune and carried that intensity right through to the end. The hall was tightly packed and ready, the atmosphere thick with excitement. Almost immediately, small pockets of dancing broke out across the floor, the immersive sound making standing still feel out of place. This feeling was heightened by the lighting, which was technically flawless while further amplifying the mood of the room. The bass lay deep, so deep it could be felt physically, whilst the fiddle and mandolin cut sharply through the mix, creating an infectious sound.
The band played as a remarkably tight unit, the music carrying an ethos that couldn’t be ignored. Everything felt dialled in, allowing creativity, enjoyment and passion to flow freely through both the music and the performers themselves. While the set hit hard from the outset, the emotion and energy continued to build across the night, never loosening its grip on the audience and pulling them along on the journey. The band clearly fed off this energy too, visibly buzzing from the reception they were receiving. The fiddle and mandolin created a fascinating dialogue, trading lines as if locked in conversation, with the audience listening in as a third party. Combined with the bass and guitar, this instrumentation feels genuinely distinctive, allowing the musicians to explore spaces that traditional and electronic music don’t often meet. Elephant Sessions’ music is transformed live, bigger, heavier and far more alive than it ever feels through headphones.
Clearly, this was a band ending the year on a high, their confidence and love for the craft undeniable. The night felt like a celebration and a shared moment arriving perfectly at the start of the Christmas holidays. It showed Elephant Sessions at full power, capable of carrying a room from standing to ceilidh-style dancing in a matter of minutes. There was a communal feeling throughout the venue, with people eager to engage with one another just as the band engaged with them. While comfortably owning the space they occupy, it’s clear Elephant Sessions still have more to deliver.
As the final notes faded, the warmth inside Aberdeen Music Hall lingered long after people stepped back into the December cold, the fire refusing to die out with time. If this is how Elephant Sessions choose to sign off a year, the road ahead looks even more exciting.
