Watchhouse – Pavilion Theatre – Celtic Connections – January 17, 2026
Written by celtic music radio on January 18, 2026
They are regular winter visitors to these parts bringing music that’s gentle, thoughtful, intricate and glorious.
There’s a refined wonder to the music Watchhouse creates, the kind that doesn’t clamour for attention, rather its seeps smoothly into your pores and continues to mesmerise long after they leave the stage.
Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange) are husband and wife duo, Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz and they are flawless here as they share their songs through beautiful harmonies and stunning musicianship on guitar, mandolin and fiddle.
From 2016’s ‘Blindfaller,’ the grace of Hey Stranger is stunning with Emily’s vocals cushioned by Andrew’s mandolin accompaniment: “Don’t go livin’ with trouble in mind / There’s no burden greater in life,” sings Emily creating an atmosphere of warmth and safety.
Belly Of the Beast, from their 2021 debut Watchhouse album, moves along unhurried yet gripping: “Oh, it’s maddening running to the feast / Hiding from the monsters in the belly of the beast / Just give me your love, it’s all I need / Hide me from the monsters in the belly of the beast,” they sing with delicious mandolin slotting in between the verses.
Shape, the opening song on 2025 release ‘Rituals’ is a wistful track with a gentle jangle in the confident playing, a hallmark of their output which has been honed from playing coffee shops in North Carolina. In this famous old theatre, the poignant story telling and truly exquisite playing proves a potent mix – and it’s clear they love being in our company as they perform.
In matching jumpers it’s like watching two musicians who have slipped out on to their back porch to sing for their own comfort and pleasure. But, thankfully, the packed house is involved and the closing song, Wildfire from ‘Blindfaller’, will live long in the memory as we are invited to hum along – not sing along – creating a hugely emotional finale to a wonderful and enriching evening of joy all the way through.
MIKE RITCHIE
IMAGE – courtesy Ian McDonald.
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