Before the review a massive shout out to Howard @peoplemusic for putting on another super show. I don’t know how he persuades these acts to come out to leafy Surrey but I am glad he does and I have seen great shows at The Keep including Courtney Marie Andrews, Phil Cook, Charlie Parr and Carson McHone in the last couple of years
Due to a holiday clash I missed Dylan last year when he was over so I wasn’t going to miss this show tonight. It sold out long ago and the seventy or so crammed into this tiny pub are certainly the lucky ones. I was impressed that there was enough room for the whole band but somehow we all fitted. LeBlanc is backed tonight by old friends of his The Pollies (check out last year’s excellent ‘Transmissions’). (Ed’s note, shame no support set tonight but a minor quibble)
With Dylan and the band coming on stage at 8.30 you could be forgiven that we’d get an hour’s set and then they’d be off. How wrong I was. What we were treated to was an hour and forty five minutes of the finest rock n roll music you are likely to hear. With a voice reminiscent of early Ryan Adams and continuing that theme the band are as tight as Adam’s band the Cardinals.
I don’t whether it was because it’s a Friday night but everyone is on it tonight. The crowd get louder after every song, the band are playing freely, having a laugh and the enthusiasm from all sides is infectious. Dylan even remarks that they are having much better time than they thought they would.
Dylan is over here promoting, I think a career highlight, album ‘Renegade’ and we are treated to most of this along with a few oldies. The band retire leaving Dylan alone with just an acoustic guitar for a couple that keeps the audience rapt in reverence for this super talented artist. The Pollies are soon back to join him for a mini three song set of their own with ‘Unknown Legend’ and ending with the excellent ‘Summertime Suicide’.
A fantastically enjoyable night and right up there for best gig of the year so far for me. I defy anyone including the band from not going home slightly euphoric. Good music is the best drug ever, a true legal high.
Till the next time keep on rockin y’all