Ray LaMontagne at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall

Some gigs are just a night of music. Others mean a little more. Ray LaMontagne's return to Scotland was one of those shows for me. Having grown up hearing my Dad play his songs for many years, Ray was always one of those artists I felt like I knew long before I'd ever seen him live. He's my Dad's favourite artist, so getting the chance to photograph him at the Usher Hall was a genuine bucket-list moment.

The Edinburgh date came just one night after a sold-out performance in Glasgow and marked LaMontagne's first Scottish shows since 2018. The tour itself celebrates the 20th anniversary of Trouble, the album that introduced so many people to his distinctive voice and song writing back in 2004. The moment he walked on stage, there was an applause. There was no need for flashy production or huge visual spectacle. Instead, the focus was entirely on the songs. Usher Hall was an incredible venue for this show and made the evening all the better.

Hearing songs like "Hold You in My Arms" and "Jolene" performed live was special to me. These are tracks I've heard countless times played by my Dad over the years, and seeing them performed in person brought a completely different appreciation to each of them. Twenty years on from Trouble, they still feel timeless.

LaMontagne's voice was one of the best I’ve heard live. After all those years since the release Trouble, Ray’s voice is still instantly recognisable. What also wowed me was how little he needed to work the room. No crowd work or stories just him and the songs only taking time to thank the crowd in between songs.

For someone whose music has been in my family for years, finally seeing and photographing Ray LaMontagne felt like a full-circle moment. Twenty years after Trouble, the songs still connect just as strongly and judging by the reaction inside the Usher Hall, they will continue to for many years to come.