Oli Brown &The Dead Collective/Dan Byrne -
The Waterfront Studio, Norwich 11th April, 2024
The Studio is a small intimate venue with no Photo pit. This means I am able to get up really close and personal for this evening’s performances which is very handy as I am not familiar with either act due to take to the stage tonight.
Set List: Hard To Breathe/Control/Hate Me/Easier/Sentimental/Like Animals/Wide Awake/Death Of Me.
Dan Byrne and his band deliver some Hard Rock/Blues with plenty of gusto. Byrne arrives on stage really looking the part with wild hair, beard and a great voice. He is supported by Guitarist, Glenn Quinn, Drummer Max Rhead and Bassist, Adji Shuib.
The set flies by as Byrne proves to be a great frontman communicating well with those in attendance on this Thursday night. A perfect example of this being during ‘Like Animals’ which receives a great response with plenty of crowd participation.
Byrne is clearly the star man dominating proceedings with his image, charisma and easy rapport with the crowd. He commands the stage, but also gives his guitarist plenty of space to demonstrate his playing. The gig opens with ‘Hard To Breathe’ which sets things up nicely for the rest of the show.
Some great material is aired with the final song ‘Death Of Me’ getting the punters and place rocking! I really enjoyed the performance, so much so that I acted as roadie for the bassist, helping him remove some heavy equipment from the stage.
What more could you possibly want from a support band than great music to get us ready for the headliner? Dan Byrne and his band will be headlining places like this very soon.
Set List: Father/Everything You Want/Sinking Ship/Another Day Lost/Goliath/I Won’t Leave
/Haunted /Estranged/Heard It All Before/Your Love/Home Sweet Home.
A few days before the gig I spoke with Oli Brown asking him if I could bring a 17-year-old student with me (she is doing a photography course at college) and Oli kindly agreed. It was great to see her go from being nervous to gaining confidence as she got close to the front and took some great shots, some of which appear in this review. Well done Charliegh and thanks Oli.
A very impressive amount of colourful lighting and smoke creates a distinct atmosphere and ambience as the stage is bathed in a variety of ever-changing colours; red, blue, green, yellow and orange, making photography interesting and challenging. The lighting enhances the set throughout. Oli alongside his Guitarist, Sam Wood and Drummer, Wayne Proctor treat the Studio to a kaleidoscope of Rock which is enthralling.
Opening with ‘Father’ the music just pours from the stage, each song delighting a now packed venue. The interplay between Sam and Oli is compelling, both throwing shapes and performing in superb fashion. There is no dip in proceedings as the music just keeps flowing. With such great lighting effects including some spectacular strobe lighting, it is a little disappointing that the drummer is poorly lit. Photography wise; he is difficult to see clearly and I feel this may also affect the visuals of those watching.
When we get to ‘Your Love’ a thorough spine-tingling showcase for Oli’s voice and guitar playing, the wonderment and response this song receives is amazing. Next up is ‘Home Sweet Home’ another brilliant song. Wow! The intensity of the music just keeps coming along with the enthusiasm emitting from the stage holding us all transfixed. Then it didn’t! No encore and it really is time to go home sweet home!
I am aware that pre-show; Oli was having technical issues with his guitar so maybe we were overrunning. However, the lack of encore has not altered mine or anyone else’s opinion of this magical performance, it just ended a bit abruptly. Just like this review!
By Paul Mace