Rob Ellens Medicine Show rolled into town on Thursday evening and blew Live@Troon wide open.

[The Medicine Show]

Taken from the Live@Troon Website http://liveattroon.com/news.asp

What an opening show.

From the opening duo of Alan Frew and Mark Rafferty the cream of the West of Scotland music scene to the closing set from ex Alarm guitarist Dave Sharp, the night rocked like armageddon was on its way.

Frew and Rafferty sang in beautiful harmony through a selection of their latest co written tunes, making way for the spellbinding guitar of Hamish Roberts whose athletics on the fretboard were breathtaking.

He was joined for his last song by John Duffy, who carried on with a handful of his gypsy tunes, with a languid bouzuki that would break your heart. Sublime.

The Slim Panatellas amused and entertained with their expertly played home made instruments and Rocky Mountain country songs.

When guitarists Mark Mulholland and Craig Ward took the stage with double bass player Hannes d'Hoine you could have heard a pin drop. Their ultra mellow sound almost defies description. Best just to say this was musicianship of the highest order though at one point you'd swear Hannes was drawing whale song out of that double bass as he played it with a bow.

If you haven't come across these guys before I urge you to seek them out online immediately.
Martin Stephenson's crack-a-minute patter went down well with the audience, as did his songs, as fresh and light as though he'd just that minute harvested them from the song tree. So much so that he was dragged back at the end of his set for the first encore of the night. Another brilliant performance from this extraordinary singer-songwriter who describes himself as �just a working musician�. He's back touring with his 80s band The Dainties � catch them if you can, you won't regret it.

Dave Sharp was left to round off the show with a clutch of honest, hand-crafted tunes � a fitting climax to a spectacular night.

If the rest of the festival matches the opening night, music fans are in for a superlative weekend.