Poignant performance marks milestone and looks to better future

LOCKED-DOWN Perth Concert Hall was rocked by a rare live performance, as musicians got together to mark one year since venues across Scotland had to close their doors.

Singer/songwriter Ian McLaren was joined on stage by other local artists for a recording of his new song Keep Going Together.

The track was commissioned as part of a commemorative project by Horesecross Arts to mark the 365-day milestone.

Band members – including Stuart Nisbet, Pete Honeyman, Matt Rodgers, Alan Sutherland, Ali Pibworth and Katie Whitaker – were kept at a safe distance during the recording and protected by plastic screens.

They played to an empty auditorium.

Ian, who said he has written about 80 songs during lockdown, said: “It was such a nice feeling to be back on a stage with other musicians, albeit with all the safe measures in place. Once the song was written we did all our rehearsals separately, so this was the first time we’d got together as a band.”

Ian began work on a significant body of songs after the loss of his wife Susan after a serious illness a year ago.

Some of the songs such as Isolation Blues were featured on Horsecross’s online blog, created to keep people connected with local culture.

“They approached me to write a song to mark one year of lockdown,” he said.

“I wanted to tell a story about what everyone has been missing, both from the view of audiences and musicians.

“It looks back on what has been a very difficult year, but it’s also optimistic and forward-looking, looking at how we have all kept each other going and how there’s now light at the end of the tunnel.”

He said: “Although everyone has been very innovative during lockdown, all these streaming concerts are still quite a solitary experience.”

He said: “What struck me is there is such a strong community amongst musicians in Perthshire, and that community has proved very resilient and has really supported each other.”

The musicians recording at the concert hall.