shine reviews of live performances
"Such a line-up, especially in a Celtic context, might prompt expectations of ethereal soft-focus sweetness, but - while they can certainly do sweet - the trio's deployment of vocal harmonies was strikingly bold and inventive, frequently dark and deliciously edged with jazzy discord. Their harp-playing, too, was a far cry from the instrument’s drawing-room image, heavy on the bass and the lingering, overlapping reverb, punctuating the melodies with upfront, funky rhythm work."
Sue Wilson, Business AM
"Shine shone vocally, their twin electro harps used effectively but minimally in a set that entwined the voices in brave, original arrangements of songs from centuries-old Burns to recent Michael Marra."
Norman Chalmers, The List
"Perfectly in tune, the voices perfectly balanced, but, above all, they are not afraid of beauty."
John Purser, Musician, Historian and writer of The History of Scotland's Music
"The clarity of Alyth McCormack's voice was exceptional and, though the songs were for the most part traditional, the interpretation was thoroughly modern with syncopated rhythms and a free uncluttered sound."
Rosie Upton, Bath Chronicle
"An impressive and innovative contemporary harp trio."
The Scotsman
"I saw the trio perform at Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations and I knew that we had to bring them to The Lemon Tree. They make some of the most ethereal, delicate and spellbinding music that I've heard - imagine a mixture of Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares, early Clannad and Mediaeval Babes."
Andy Catlin, Marketing Manager, The Lemon Tree
"Wonderful and entrancing arrangements of an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary material, beautifully sung with the sometimes hypnotic, sometimes haunting, and always heavenly accompaniment of electro harps."
Sean Purser, BBC Radio Scotland (Travelling Folk and Celtic Connections) producer.
"Harp-based trio Shine gave us a stunning set of Celtic tunes and Gaelic songs. The sound was awe-inspiring."
Drew McAdam, The Evening News
"Gentle patterns on clarsachs overlap and blend with their vocals … weaving complex, beguiling lines … in waves that seem to come billowing out from the stage."
Alastair Mabbott, The Scotsman