Madison Galloway is a roots / rock / blues musician from Fergus. Ontario who has been making waves in the Canadian music scene when she dropped her debut EP Who Knows Where all the way back in 2015.
WORDS: Darren McIntyre | PICTURES: Ian Potter
She has gigged constantly and continued to write and perform and gave us her debut LP Moon & Mercury in 2019 which brought her to the attention of fans, pr, venues and record labels from far and wide, Madison was named The Southern Rock Artist of the year @ Josie Music Awards last year. 2024 will be a massive year for this proud Canadian as she has just released her new self-titled album which has given us a slurry of singles and has allowed her to hit the road in support of this fantastic new release. Tonight Madison stops off in Edinburgh at the impressive Caves to bring us a fast-paced rock n roll show that will certainly put her on the map, the place is filling up nicely as Madison together with Nik on keys & George on drums hits the stage to rapturous applause as we kick off this rocking night of blues rock that will certainly grab our attention, up first is the classic –
Freedom – A slick, sweet gritty guitar lick erupts from the off as a cool bass kick brings this gig to our attention as this tight 3 piece kicks it off big style. The soulful vocals give this track a real edgy funk feel as the whole place takes this power-packed rocker to their hearts as we get what she is all about, the track is a real foot-stomping bruiser that just lets Madison tell her own story in her first ever trip across the pond and let me tell you it was worth it for sure. The tinkering keys add depth to this rocking track as we just let this track pour from the stage, Madison thanks us for coming out early to catch her for her first time in Auld Reekie which draws a huge cheer.
Hatebirds – A punchy rhythm section opens this track up as Madison brings her infectious rocking vocals that just bring this place to life as we stamp our feet to this groove-laden number. The groove is a real funky affair as keys ripple through the arrangement and just let the funk effect wash over us and let us rock out, the rhythm section is pounding away from the back of the room as the soaring vocals fill every inch of this impressive venue as we just rock out with this fantastic musician as she shakes off any nerves that were sneaking into the set. The place is settling into the groove as Madison kicks in the doors and lets us feel the funk.
Love Like Yours – A cool funky groove flows from the off as the keys wrap themselves around the intro as a cymbal snap lets the rhythm section burst into life. The soaring rocking vocals are just reaching every corner of this fantastic venue as this rocking 3 piece brings the noise and then some as we just let the groove wash over us. The punchy bass kicks are letting this oozing track ripple through the venue as Madison steps forward and lets rip on her trusty guitar as sweet clean licks bring the groove to this awesome piece of music, Madison might be small but god does she pack a punch with her towering vocals that just grab our attention.
Whiplash – A real funky foot-tapping groover track that comes at us with mellow full-on vocals that just let this track soar as the rhythm section kicks in big time. The cool track has sweet funky keys that are just letting this track break free as the soaring vocals just give this track a funky, fresh feel as the band really gel and let us feel the sweet groove oozing from the stage tonight. The place is swaying along to this pint-sized pocket rocket as she really delivers in spades with her cool guitar licks and real infectious personality that is coming at us with ease tonight, Madison is chatting with us and again thanks us for coming out to give her a real nice welcome, we are just getting warmed up!
The River – Upping the tempo comes this bruising rock track that has depth, attitude and swagger by the truckload as the rhythm section hits us with a punchy snare drum beat that lets this track break free. The killer vocals are running freely through this arrangement as we feel the rocking groove bring the heat to Edinburgh tonight as we get a slick gritty guitar riff that works well with this cool ensemble as they gel well and really bring this tight, well-thought out, track to the fine people of Edinburgh tonight. The place is rocking tonight as this surprise package has certainly been delivered and then some.
Devil At My Door – A real slow intro lets Madison bring her mesmerising vocals to this toe-tapping gritty groover track that is building and building as we get ready to rock out. The rhythm section is hitting us with a punchy bass/snare combo that is wrapped in cymbal crashes that really let this track breathe, the awesome vocals are just filling this place with ease as Madison hits her stride as this fantastic track catches our attention as the band kicks on and just delivers a real epic composition that just kicks ass and then some, we are getting into this killer musician as she just comes at us with real energy, attitude and swagger.
She Talks To Angels(Black Crowes) – Acoustic strumming chords bring this classic cover to life as Madison lets her soulful vocals lead this track on down the road. The punchy rhythm section leads us off as the colossal keys wrap themselves around this classic track that is just filling this venue with so much blues that we are just singing along. The band are enjoying themselves for sure as their smiles tell their own story as we just watch this classic cover track unfold before our eyes, Madison’s soaring vocals are really doing this track justice as we just close our eyes and let this colossal piece do it’s thing as we really feel the depth pouring from the stage tonight, we come to that time again as Madison thanks us for coming to watch this little ol Canadian do her thing which draws a huge cheer.
Open Your Eyes – Finishing off in style comes this real gutsy blues rocking track that hits us with rasping guitar licks that work well with her soaring vocals that let this track breathe. The killer keys are just erupting all over this epic piece as the rhythm section joins the party and brings a punchy snare drum beat that controls the groove from the back of the room for sure, the band are just hitting top speed as this grooving rocker track just builds and builds as the foot-stomping rock track just reminds us how good this young musician is.
The place is really grooving as we punch the air with joy as this classic 3 piece brings home a fantastic gig that was just awesome as they delivered a real energy-driven set that will certainly see them back on our shores real soon.
