First on stage was Edinburgh based Adam Holmes And The Embers having just recorded their debut album to some acclaim.

Adam, a previous member of Rura, has a pleasant voice and the arrangements from this five piece band were excellent.

Their set combined songs covering such diverse subjects the dreaded Monday morning, wild women and wine and Aviemore. Where I did enjoy the music, I found a tendency for slightly mumbled words. This combined with uninspiring song introductions was, to put it bluntly, rather annoying. Good music, but Adam should concentrate more on his presentation.

Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia met in 1977 in Bamako’s Institute For The Blind in their home country, Mali.

Eventually attaining stardom in 2005, they have become one of Africa’s hottest musical exports. Their new show, Eclipse, was supposed to be performed in total darkness such that the audience, in Amadou’s words, the chance to “hear music as we do and imagine what it looks like”.

However, as I suspected, Glasgow’s Health And Safety department took a dim view of the idea and it was scrapped. The scents to be added did come about, although they did dissipate fairly quickly.

Now to the music. Their one and a quarter hour set was a serious adrenaline fuelling hi octane delight.

From their second number on, the corners and aisles of the Concert Hall were packed with ad hoc dancers swaying from side to side.

Eventually, the complete audience were on their feet, even yours truly! While most of the singing was in their native Mali, both French and English also found their way into several members. ‘Africa Mon Afrique’ was one of the many standout numbers.

The four piece band consisted of drums, electric guitar, keyboards and Afro percussion. With that Afro beat and the sheer energy of the night I am still hearing it days later.

Bill Morris