Photo Credit: Joe Oates
As the band’s highest charting record, ‘Free Peace Sweet‘ approaches its 28th birthday, Hounslow’s DODGY announced their second UK tour in less than a year to celebrate with their devoted fan base. During the dates, the band performed their beloved third record in its entirety, with a long time friend returning to the line-up to warm-up the crowds each night.
Chris Helme, the former guitarist and vocalist of the UK rock band The Seahorses, has been touring nonstop since the band’s dissolution in 1999. However, it wasn’t until ten years later that he went solo, releasing albums under his own name and entertaining fans with a number of the beloved Seahorses hits live. A variety of solo tunes, including his recently released single ‘Sailing Home’ were featured in CHRIS‘s pared-down 45-minute show, which was well appreciated by the audience.
Even though he was the only performer on stage, this provided him with the ideal opportunity to use the intermissions to keep the audience engaged. He made everyone laugh with his candour about the state of music streaming today and even teased the front row photographers to make sure they captured his best side. Fan favourites ‘Love is the Law‘ and ‘Blinded by the Sun‘ were delivered excellently for a solo performance, and were the perfect additions to get people singing along. It gave fans the chance to hear those much adored songs live again, and it certainly did not require any of those well-known guitar solos that feature on the album.
It didn’t take long for DODGY to make their way on to the stage, finally returning to Sheffield’s legendary venue The Leadmill. Even though the tour was being held in honour of ‘Free Peace Sweet’, fans were still anticipating each song with excitement. ‘In A Room‘ opened the set, and had everyone dancing along with its catchy start that flawlessly mirrored the album version, it was time to hear their highest charting record to date, in its entirety.
The lead song, ‘Good Enough‘ kept everyone upbeat as they swayed back and forth and sang along to Nigel Clark’s soothing vocals the entire time. Each member contributed significantly to the evening by not just playing their instrument but also by keeping the audience interested. Between songs, drummer Mat Priest would engage the audience in conversation. Bassist Stuart would provide backup vocals for the famous 90s hits, while guitarist Andy Miller would continue to shred the way he did back in 1996.
Photo Credit: Joe Oates
DODGY concluded their delivery of ‘Free Peace Sweet’ with the final track ‘Homegrown’. Nigel stated that the song should have been on their previous record of the same name, but its absence from that album means it is certainly a welcomed addition to conclude the following release.
The band took a short break from the stage before returning to round off the evening with a two-song encore. ‘Staying Out for the Summer‘ concluded the set and ended the evening in grand fashion.
Even though they rose to fame during the Britpop period, DODGY had a distinct sound from the other prominent acts of the time, and because of their devoted fan base, every one of their performances is now a memorable event.
Photo Credit: Joe Oates
Taped Magazine 