Dare/Tyketto/FM -
Epic Studios, Norwich, Wednesday, 24th May 2023
Wow, what a midweek Melodic Rock treat from this threesome! It was my first visit to Epic Studios and what a great venue it is.
I have to say I love a fairy tale; The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The (Three) Billy Goats Gruff, but this was a real fairy tale experience for me from this triple line up of ‘FM’, ‘TYKETTO’ and ‘DARE’.
Set List: Synchronized/I Belong To The Night/Killed By Love/Someday/Let Love Be The Leader/Every Time I Think of You/Tattoo Needle/That Girl/Bad Luck/Tough It Out/Turn That Car Around.
So, I was asked, “Who is your favourite?” This proved impossible for me to answer!
First up tonight ‘FM’
I have seen ‘FM’ many times and love them, have all their albums, love all their songs, know all the words, enjoy the happiness, fun and professionalism that oozes from them as they connect together as well as with the audience to deliver their music.
Vocalist/Guitarist, Steve (Overland) is all smiles as he reminds us he is a Norfolk lad and happy to be performing on home ground to great cheers. Pete Jupp (Drums) & Merv Goldsworthy (Bass) are both giving their cheeky smiles and plenty of eye contact.
Jim Kirkpatrick (Guitar), looking a little more serious and in deep concentration with just the odd glimmer of a smile, however, that smile when it comes says it all. A special mention to Jem Davis (Keyboards), who has been battling cancer, and this time we did not get the pleasure of him coming front of stage with his keytar which is always a highlight to their performance.
I was not at all surprised to be thoroughly immersed in the first hour long set with the rest of the crowd as we sang at the tops of our voices along with Steve to every song. Brilliant, as usual, thank you.
Set List: Burning Down Inside/Strength In Numbers/Lay Your Body Down/Heaven Tonight (Waysted cover)/ Rescue Me/Standing Alone/Sail Away/Mother Mary (UFO cover)/Forever Young.
Second up ‘TYKETTO’:
This is a band I have not seen before, but could tell from the audience enthusiasm going on behind me and a sneak look at the excited faces that they were, no doubt, going to be good.
Oh yes, very good indeed! How I wished I knew their songs and the words! The opener, ‘Burning Down Inside’ immediately captivated me. What a feel-good factor they then delivered, with Danny Vaughn asking, “Who is seeing us for the first time?” with many hands rising up.
Danny went onto tell us how a ‘TYKETTO’ gig goes with plenty of audience participation and asking... no demanding, the diehard fans who were there to show us the way!
Soon we were all joining in with the songs and quickly got into the choruses. It was great to see drummer, Michael Clayton (Arbeeny), emerge from behind his drums to lead us all in the beat for ‘Mother Mary’ on tambourine.
Chris Green (Guitar), Chris Childs (from Thunder on Bass) and Ged Rylands (Keyboards) were all excellent too as they all provided us with more fantastic music. Another superb hour set.
Set List: Cradle To The Grave/Home/Until/Road to Eden/Silent Hills/Wings Of Fire/ We Don’t Need A Reason/ Abandon/Into The Fire/King Of Spades/Return The Heart.
The third and final band tonight: ‘DARE’
Again, another long standing professional bunch of guys who know how to have fun and interaction with one another and their audience. Also, a band I know well and have seen before who never disappoint.
Darren (Wharton) got us off to a great start with ‘Born in the Storm’ and, as with ‘FM’, the fans knew the songs, the words and everyone continued to sing along. Of course, ‘King of Spades’ was a fitting tribute to Darren’s old boss from ‘Thin Lizzy’, Phil Lynott. Bassist, Nigel Clutterbuck, kept us suitably entertained with his many poses and facial expressions!
Vinny Burns threw plenty of shapes as he played his guitar superbly, with Marc Roberts (Keyboards) and Kevin Whitehead (Drums) providing a perfect platform for a memorable show. Oh, how quickly that hour passed!
At the end Darren informed us of their fan Facebook page and urged us all to become part of this family, thanking the following Manchester fan base there in the crowd. At the end of the set, fellow Metalliville Zine Photographer, Paul Hampson was invited onto the stage by Darren to take photographs of the band and the audience! What a treat! Paul is not the most mobile of people and managed to cut his shin on the way up. Such a small price to pay!
So, who is the top act? Well, for me, all three, they run equal and parallel. What a night! A great way to celebrate my 37th Wedding Anniversary with my husband, Paul, who was in the pit throughout taking photographs for this magazine.
After the show we were fortunate enough to meet Dare’s Darren Wharton and Vinny Burns for photos and a chat! Thank you for your time.
A triple delight of a night for sure!
Review By Jane Mace
Photographs By Paul Mace & Paul Hampson