If my musical tastes were plotted on a compass, the far-right point would be occupied by the most thunderous, skull-rattling heavy metal imaginable. Tonight, however, I journeyed with trepidation in the opposite direction — travelling as far left on that musical map as I could tolerate, landing squarely in the territory of country and folk.
With that context firmly in place, dear reader, you may approach this review with suitable curiosity… and perhaps mild suspicion.
The evening belonged to Charm of Finches, the Australian sister duo of Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes. Hailing from Melbourne, the pair describe their work as contemporary folk inspired by personal experience — an honest, reflective songwriting approach that feels deeply rooted in the genre’s storytelling tradition. Having recently relocated to Scotland roughly six weeks ago, Glasgow now serves as their new home, and the final night of a 15-date UK tour felt like both a celebration and a soft landing.
The venue for this closing chapter was the Glad Café, a delightfully intimate Southside space with seating for around sixty attendees. On this particular evening every chair looked destined to be filled, with most patrons already comfortably settled as the support act, Adam Thom, stepped on stage.
Thom, originally from Aberdeen but now another proud Glaswegian resident, cut a confident figure. Armed with little more than an acoustic guitar, a pair of cowboy boots and a relaxed swagger, he delivered a surprisingly engaging set of country-tinged folk. Yes — and I say this with some astonishment — I enjoyed it.
From the opening song ‘Lilleth’, Thom had the audience’s attention firmly in hand. His easy charm, coupled with amusing between-song anecdotes, kept the mood buoyant. At one point he even cheekily slipped a line from a Johnny Cash classic into one of his own compositions. His closing number, a lively new track titled ‘Isla’, rounded off a thoroughly likeable performance.
Following a short interlude, Charm of Finches received a warm ovation as they took their places on stage. Acoustic guitar again featured prominently, this time joined by keyboard and a fiddle — or violin, for those with more refined sensibilities.
From the moment they greeted the audience with a cheerful “G’day mate,” the sisters radiated warmth and personality. Their natural ease on stage, coupled with a distinctly Australian openness, made the room feel instantly convivial. But charm alone does not sustain a concert — the music must deliver.
Thankfully, it did.
Their set leaned towards gently paced, contemplative arrangements delivered with remarkable poise. Many songs arrived with thoughtful introductions, lending deeper meaning to the material. ‘Leave You All Behind’, for instance, served as a wistful tribute to Australia’s landscapes, particularly the Daintree Rainforest — a place the sisters clearly hold dear. Having been fortunate enough to have visited that lush paradise I understand the sentiment.
One particularly enchanting moment came with their rendition of Kate Bush’s ‘Army of Dreamers’. The intertwining of violin and guitar created a rich sonic texture beneath the sisters’ ethereal harmonies, guiding the audience through a delicate and affectionate homage to Bush’s artistry.
Equally striking was an unexpectedly upbeat number exploring the rather bleak concept of dying alone — not an obvious candidate for enthusiastic applause. Yet Charm of Finches managed the feat effortlessly. The performance was so captivating that the audience responded with genuine delight. As someone accustomed to finding joy in the darker lyrical themes of Depeche Mode, perhaps I was already primed for such emotional paradoxes.
Still, the strangest revelation of the evening was my own reaction. Somewhere between the harmonies, the storytelling and the gentle instrumentation, I realised — somewhat to my astonishment — that I was thoroughly enjoying folk music.
Charm of Finches delivered a performance brimming with sincerity, musical finesse and understated charisma. The rapturous applause that followed their closing song was entirely deserved. Now settled in Glasgow, it would be no surprise if the sisters became a welcome fixture within the city’s vibrant music scene.
As the final notes faded and the audience filtered into the night, I found myself contemplating an unexpected truth: I had genuinely enjoyed an evening of country and folk.
Naturally, Depeche Mode accompanied me on the drive home — some habits, after all, remain reassuringly unchanged.
Review & Photographs by John Brown Photography
