The Boat That Rocks, Portland
A beautiful Summer’s evening, and a brand new music venue overlooking Portland harbour with South Wales band Rusty Shackle to entertain. “The Boat that Rocks” opened its doors in February 2016 with an aim to provide fresh food, great live music and quality drinks in a fantastic location. Well my first visit here ticked all those boxes, the place is situated amongst the marina in Portland Harbour with uninterrupted panoramic views all over Portland and beyond. The Food Menu is packed with a huge choice of food and my chilli steak wrap with cashews and sweet potato fries was delivered really quickly. It looked good and tasted great. Now before you think I’m turning into a restaurant reviewer I will stop there; I’m here for one real reason, to re-acquaint myself with Rusty Shackle.
I first saw these guys back in April at the Folkish Festival at Upton Country Park in Poole, where they headlined and played a brilliant set. After that I’ve been listening to their latest album “Dusk” for quite a while, with a hope for an opportunity to catch up with them once again. This date in Portland comes nestled between a whole host of dates at major music festivals. They are a six-piece folk and roots band with a thoroughly modern twist. They arrive on this outdoor stage and immediately their infectious brand of music gets under your skin with great songs like “The Bones”. This number is a tune you hear once and never forget, it has an easily recognisable chorus that will have you singing along the first time you hear it.
Vocalist Liam Collins has a fantastic voice and combines beautifully when harmonising with the rest of the band. The multi-talented Scott McKeon brings some quality fiddle and banjo to proceedings, as well as some dry Welsh humour. The band treat the Portland crowd to some great tunes including “Rosie Lee”, the positively uplifting “Last Stop on the Line” the and the wonderfully crafted “Down To The Valley”. A song that has everything, along with a very radio friendly instant appeal.
These guys put on a really polished live show that has all the ingredients needed to entertain. The band finish their set and leave the stage to huge applause from the audience. ………… and just when you think that is it, they fulfil a request for a young fan for another tune. They deliver ìWhen the Morning Comesî but this time busked acoustically right outside their tour van. A fantastic night all round at a great venue, that has a string of top acts including Wille and the Bandits, Land of the Giants and Black Water County billed for the future. I’m sure I’ll be back here sometime very soon.
Set-List
The Bones
Late Night Living
Thinking
Ellioaey Island
Moving On
Glorious May
Bonkers (Dizzee Rascal)
Cold Hearted Town
Rosie Lee
Down To The Valley
Lucinda Returned
Last Stop On the Line
Cumberland Gap (Lonnie Donegan)
3am
When the Morning Comes (Acoustic)
Video
Links
http://www.rustyshackle.com
https://www.facebook.com/RustyShackleUK
The Boat That Rocks
http://www.tbtr.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/TBTR.Portland
Words, Pictures & Video By Dave Chinery (Chinners)
