From the off the crowd were ready for The Devil Makes Three to take the stage in the intimate Scala in Kings Cross, London. It became clear why in short order. Mixing bluegrass, blues and ragtime (amongst others) this old-timey guitar, banjo and double bass 3-piece filled the room with infectious and energetic melody, for which the crowd showed their noisy appreciation from start to finish.
The band played music from all of their albums, bouncing effortlessly from one track to the next. Lead vocals provided by Pete Bernhard, with atmospheric harmonies from Lucia Turino (double bass) and Cooper McBean (banjo/guitar) each also taking turns on lead vocals during the show. Starting with Beneath the Piano - setting the up-tempo scene, moving into Stranger, and the crowd-pleasing The Bullet and All Hail. Next up a couple of Doc Watson and Elvis Costello covers. Gracefully Facedown and Hallelu continued the pulsating rhythm.
The tone took a noticeable shift with the melancholic bleating of Graveyard. This more modern-sounding folk tune centred attention on the more sober tone of the bands lyrics, which are so often expertly obscured in some of their more musically upbeat tracks. We were then back to elbow-thrusting, foot-stomping stuff featuring Dead Body Moving, Worse or Better, and Old Number 7.
The band came back for 3 encores, For Good Again, Bangor Mash and St James and exited to the baying of the crowd of long-time fans and new recruits, myself included.
The Devil Makes Three play a few more European dates before heading back to USA for shows through to August. I'm not sure when they plan another trip back here but keep an eye out. They are well worth a watch.
Gráinne saw The Devil Makes Three live at Scala in London, UK, 26th March 2015
