There are certain artists whose music seems to follow you through different stages of your life.
For me, Will Oldham is one of those artists.
Long before he became widely known as Bonnie “Prince” Billy, I was a fan of his work under the Palace name. Over the years I followed the various twists and turns of his career, collecting albums, discovering new songs and spending countless hours watching live performances online. Few artists have managed to maintain such a distinctive voice while constantly reinventing themselves.
So when I discovered he was finally bringing a tour to Scotland, there was absolutely no chance I was going to miss it.
Some gigs are optional.
This wasn’t one of them.
One of the things I’ve always admired about Will Oldham is his refusal to fit neatly into any category. Folk, country, Americana, alternative music and traditional song all seem to flow naturally through his work without ever sounding forced. At his best, he creates music that feels both ancient and completely contemporary.
Before the main performance, the audience were treated to a wonderful support set from Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’Leary.
Support acts can often feel like a pleasant diversion before the headline artist arrives, but that certainly wasn’t the case here. Their music immediately captured the audience’s attention, blending traditional influences with warmth, humour and exceptional musicianship. By the end of their set, it was obvious that they had won over plenty of people who may have arrived knowing little about them.
The pairing also felt entirely appropriate.
Anyone familiar with Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s music knows that he has always inhabited a musical world where traditional songs, folk music and storytelling are treated with genuine respect. Nuala and Eamon provided the perfect introduction to that atmosphere.
When Will Oldham eventually walked on stage, he did exactly what great artists tend to do.
He made everything seem effortless.
There is something quietly captivating about his performances. He doesn’t rely on theatrical gestures, elaborate production or grand displays of showmanship. Instead, he simply inhabits the songs and allows them to do the work. The result is a performance style that feels intimate regardless of the size of the room.
What struck me most was how naturally the audience settled into his world. Some performers demand attention. Will Oldham earns it. Song by song, he drew people in until the room felt completely focused on the music.
Having watched so many recordings of his concerts over the years, there was a particular satisfaction in finally experiencing one for myself. Sometimes artists you’ve admired for decades fail to live up to expectations when you eventually see them live.
This was not one of those occasions.
If anything, the performance reinforced everything I had always liked about his work.
Looking back, this was one of those gigs that felt worth the wait. Years of listening to Palace records, Bonnie “Prince” Billy albums and YouTube performances had built up a certain level of anticipation, and the concert delivered exactly what I had hoped it would.
The videos and photographs below capture some of the evening, including the excellent support set from Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’Leary. As for Bonnie “Prince” Billy, he reminded me why he remains one of the most unique and consistently rewarding songwriters of his generation.
The Photos
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