After a 27-year recording hiatus, marmite solipsist and theatric Kevin Rowland brings Dexys to the Dome to too-rye-ay the night away amidst fresh material and plenty of prohibition period apparel.
Famed for a concentrated burst of succes in the early eighties with hits ‘Geno’ and of course ‘Come On Eilieen’, this June saw the release of One Day I’m Going To Soar, Dexys’ first album since 1985’s commercial flop Don’t Stand Me Down – its concentrated self-analysis splitting critics yet again, though this time between indifference and veneration. A decided interest in Rowland’s complex mind and a pinch of salt are required to render the album palatable. Sure, belaboured self-dissection is to be expected of a record tightened for seven years since Rowland started the writing process, and its commenders note a marked honesty to the album’s painstaking lyricism.
Live, Dexys continue to be unmatched in their penchant for the theatrical and the foot-thumping. With many of the original lineup, the band’s brass and strings stomp with as much gusto as ever, and mid-song exchanges between members are all part of the proceedings. Expect lavish gratification for hardcore Dexys followers and a jolly, if not occasionally bewildering, ruckus for the rest.
Doors 19:00, £25 adv + BF
For more information visit www.brightondome.org
