Tyketto/Little Caesar/Dan Byrne -
Cambridge Junction, Cambridge, Friday 13th September, 2024
Set List: Hard To Breathe/Control/Hate Me/Easier/Wide Awake/Like Animals/Death Of Me.
Liverpool Blues vocalist, Dan Byrne, the former Revival Black vocalist, is establishing himself as an excellent performer with a great rock image (nice hat!) and superb vocals.
Along with his now established touring band consisting of Guitarist, Glenn Quinn, Drummer, Max Rhead and Bassist, Adji Shuib, together they create a great dynamic and visual point.
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They open tonight’s proceedings with ‘Hard To Breathe’ and conclude just thirty minutes later with the magnificent ‘Death Of Me’ which show cases the purity and power of Dan’s voice.
The performance and songs are flawless and faultless seeing Dan’s charisma shine through. ‘Like Animals’ is a fan favourite, a real crowd pleaser and simply wild ensuring many will be wanting to check these out again.
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Please do, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Set List: Piece Of The Action/Rock & Roll State Of Mind/American Dream/21 Again/Hard Times/Wrong Side/Rum & Coke/Chain Of Fools/Ballad Mash Up/Cajun Panther/Real Rock Drive/Down To Wire/Mama Tried/Drive It Home.
Next up are Little Caesar filling the special guest slot. Rob Young is a captivating front man looking resplendent in his cap, shades and black gloves, he and his band have me and the audience transfixed from the opening duo of ‘Piece Of The Action’ and ‘Rock And Roll State Of Mind’.
There is so much electrifying energy emitting from the stage with Rob looking every inch the legend he is and clearly the commander, his vocals having a raw edge and superb range. Guitarist, Loren Molinare adds an edge suggesting a hint of danger mixed with humour as he jitters, jumps and moves around eye-contacting, smiling and using his facial expressions to draw the audience in.
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Aretha Franklin’s ‘Chain Of Fools’ is a high point as the whole band deliver on the vocals. Bassist, Pharoah Barrett cuts and creates a huge imposing figure, his beard and follicly challenged head making him unmissable.
Second Guitarist, Mark Tremalgia pulls the traditional shapes as the notes spray from his instrument making it compelling and riveting to watch while Tom Morris on drums is at the heart of the engine propelling it all forward.
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Most of 1990’s debut is played and the show ends with a rampaging run through of ‘Drive It Home’. There is simply no low point in the gig, the whole band demanding our attention throughout.
As the applause fade, I am left wondering that Tyketto may have their work cut out!
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Set List: Nothing But Love/Reach/Wings/Tearing Down The Sky/Dig In Deep/ Rescue Me/Circle My Wagons/Catch Or Fall/Kick Like A Mule/Seasons/The Run/ Standing.
Encore: Last Sunset/Forever.
I am not to be disappointed as Tyketto hit the stage to whoops of joy and excitement. Things begin with ‘Nothing But Love’, Danny Vaughn’s mane of hair cascading spectacularly, it is clear he has a special bond with the ladies present judging by their reaction!
Danny is a striking frontman both visually and vocally, this is counterbalanced by Bassist, Chris Childs who is quite understated in appearance but provides the rhythm and lines to build the songs around. Keyboard player and Rhythm Guitarist, Ged Rylands adds a splash of colourful dynamism to proceedings. But for me it is the playing of Guitarist, Harry Scott Elliott that really catches the eye, spectacular.
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As the set progresses there seems to me a kind of malaise in the audience, maybe due to some favourites being dropped and new ones played for the first time giving a slight lack of continuity. However, Danny soon regains the excitement levels as he performs the acoustic ‘Circle My Wagons’.
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‘The Run’ is a show standout, not just for me, especially as it is introduced with a story about Danny’s Vietnam veteran uncle who achieved his life’s ambition by completing the Sturgis Bike Rally. The last trio of songs raises the roof seeing Drummer, Johnny Dee joining in the fun with his tambourine, enthusiasm and infectious smile.
On ‘Last Sunset’ Danny delightfully displays all his vocal prowess to goose bumping effect. Things come to an end with ‘Forever Young’ which never fails to delight the crowd.
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A good, if not spectacular show has reached its end and I feel Little Caesar were clear but surprising victors. Having previously seen Tyketto as part of a rotating triple headline tour with FM and Dare I wonder that this may have been the way to go?
On expressing these opinions to Little Caesar’s Molinaire, he looked very pleased with my assessment.
By Paul and Jane Mace