LIVE REVIEW: BUCKLE & BOOTS 2025 - THE PADDOCK STAGE - ROBYN RED

The seeds were set by Robyn Red for this performance, closing the Paddock Stage as headliner nearly two years previous. It was mid afternoon then and the tent while not as full and certainly not as cold as it was tonight, bore witness to an emerging talent. She was playing solo that day and even threw in an Ashley McBryde cover for good measure. After the show I seem to recall her saying you need to see me with my band, and she is right for however good she is solo, and she is pretty formidable she really comes alive fronting a band

During the soundcheck Robyn was to be found in a coat come sleeping bag that seemed to embrace her like a cocoon, partly to keep warm and partly to keep a little surprise of a sparkling red number that would glisten magnificently in the light. Her band would be a standard guitar, bass and drums with a fiddle player ensuring the caledonian sound would prevail. With her EP having been released the day before and flying off the merchandise table like the proverbial hot cake - this was Robyn Red's moment to shine - and like a lighthouse she surely did.

She would smile as Gavin Chittock's introduction announced her to be "One of the best voices you've heard in a long long time" before announcing at volume and a capella

"Caledonia - is looking good on you"

It would be the cue for for the drum and base who make a fearsome combination, each right up in the mix and in your face. They would be joined by vibrant electric guitar lines.

Immediately Robyn was working the stage moving from side to side. The chorus ramped things up further as everyone shifted up a gear, backing vocals appeared to make is something of a wall of sound. At one point Robyn would make a well known rookie error on the Paddock Stage by standing on the monitors - it looks fantastic and like a true rock star but it puts you in total darkness so no-one can get a decent picture!

It didn't matter, this was a statement of intent and would be the high energy set of the weekend. and we were only one song in!!

The one non single from the EP, "10 Years On" calmed things down for a bit, it has a delightful melody on the chorus especially the way Robyn wraps herself around phrase

"We were under age drinking in a little dive bar" . Midway through four drum clicks would signal that the song would up the pace and turn into an upbeat rocker over which the fiddle was able surf to the top of the mix.

The single "Luke Jackson" would come with its customary disclaimers that Robyn is not in fact a murderer. It would give the fiddle player another chance to shine and would race off like a runaway train.

"Between The Two Of Us" would truly slow things down, Robyn singing the opening lines over some great wailing guitar lines. The ever rising chorus and extended notes sounded truly anthemic on the night.

For "My World Is Yours" Robyn would make her introduction while playing the guitar. She would literally bounce up and down as she led into the chorus. It would see another imperious lead vocal.

The audience would get their usual workout on "When The Sun Sets", Robyn's second single. This was the real beginning of the lady standing before us and it sent the Paddock into full party mode, as band, singer and audience came together to make one joyous noise.

The set, that flashed by seemingly in seconds would close with "Just Need The Wine". It was a formidable wall of sound with which to close the night out. Like all stars, Robyn would leave the stage with the band still playing, leaving them to close things out.

Surely destined for Main Stage presence next year, the only question is whether Robyn can amass, record and release another EP by then.

Any doubts about whether she is a Main Stage performer were surely blown away by her contributions with The Country Orchestra in the Sunday closing performance where dressed in a stunning black outfit she stole the show. See her while you can!!

From Caledonia With Love is available now as a physical CD as well as being available to download and stream.