Christchurch Folk Music Club

Adam McGrath and Esther Swift Friday 21st February 2020

Adam McGrath and Esther Swift a night of contrast and exceptional musicianship. Esther from the Northern hemisphere brought grace, exquisite techniques that highlight her talented compositions juxtaposing against the raw energy of the Southern hemisphere boy, who weaves stories that thread his songs together in a wonder of captivation and awe. The contrasts were not tectonic plates raunchily grating against the other, their alternate works were like the springboard that launched the musical musings into the limelight displaying the respect that each other upheld for their co-performers. This esteem was so evident which gave the audience the reassurance that this was indeed two creatives working in symbiotic respect and harmony. The opening duet was powerful, both in its execution and the challenge ably achieved to change a contemporary rock ballad into a folk ballad. To my ears there was really no other way to hear this song. Bringing that freshness as a duet to the conclusion of the show would have added the pinnacle of performance accolades, however, did not distract from the concert of sensational talents sharing the stage. Judi Smitheram

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