Live review: Hamish Hawk, The Caves

EML has teamed up with Forever Edinburgh, the body which promotes Edinburgh to the world, to help tell the story of the city’s music scene to new audiences. As part of this collaboration, Forever Edinburgh appointed a music reviewer, Stuart Niven, to create a series of gig reviews during 2022. These reviews by Stuart, a local music fan with a passion for writing, are being shared on the Forever Edinburgh website and social media channels, which are seen by millions of people each year - and also on EML.

In 2018, Hamish Hawk released the album ‘From Zero to One’. The opening track is titled ‘Nomad’ and it is a description that fits Hawk of late. This sold-out hometown gig brings an end to a month-long UK tour - including performing at Brighton’s Great Escape Festival - preceded by an appearance at SXSW festival in Austin, Texas in March.

Having released his most recent album ‘Heavy Elevator’ in 2021 it is evident that Hawk’s trajectory continues to head in the right direction. There may well have been those fearing a subdued Monday night gig to end the tour. How wrong they were!

A unique venue

Like the artist himself, tonight’s venue is unique. The 18th century cavernous vaults - with its high ceilings and uncompromising stone interior – is a fortunate bi-product of the construction of Edinburgh’s South Bridge over 200 years ago. Repurposed as a multi-use venue, it continues to add to the memories these walls have been witness to for so long.

Edinburgh-born artist Iona Zajac provides an excellent supporting set. Her voice lends itself perfectly to the cavernous setting of the venue as she effortlessly moves from softer vocals to more commanding notes that fill the caves.

Powerful performance

When Hamish Hawk and his band walk on stage they are met with a raucous reception. Hamish opens with two tracks from the recent album - ‘Vivian Comma’ leading immediately into the popular ‘Calls to Tiree’.

The band quickly settle into their stride - Hamish quite literally as he struts across the stage, picking out those taking pictures and videos to give them a quick pose. His stage presence is one of his most engaging characteristics as is his humility, particularly when interacting with the audience and thanking them for attending.

The set is strong with a particular highlight being Hawk’s solo performance of ‘Catherine Opens a Window’ captivating every single person in the venue. The silence itself almost as powerful as the performance.

Triumphant homecoming gig

As the set draws to a close it feels as if the band are just getting started with further songs from the recent album. ‘Bakerloo, Unbecoming’ and the hugely well received ‘The Mauritian Badminton Doubles Champion, 1973’ are separated by Hawk thanking the audience for their support and commenting on how much the band had been anticipating tonight across the whole tour.

The encore is an excellent cover of ‘Debaser’ by the Pixies and concludes with one of Hawk’s best-known tracks, ‘Caterpillar’ which is elevated to a new level when performed live. The band linger to absorb the huge response from the crowd before exiting the stage.

It's exciting to see what more there is to come from Hawk. So far however, three albums, regular plays on BBC Radio 6 music, international recognition and selling out a hometown Edinburgh gig on a Monday night to end a successful UK tour. Nomad? No bad more like.