Brighton, Dome Theatre, 7 June 2010 - Karen and Deb reporting from the south coast

No sooner than the gig report was finished for Ipswich, then we’re off on the road to Brighton where they have more bus lanes than you can shake a stick at.  It’s Deborah’s turn to drive down one today. When Karen did it back in April there were no nasty consequences – phew - fingers crossed that it’s the same for Deb. We rendez-vous outside the massive Dome Theatre, hoping that we’ve done the parking thing right, as if there is one thing easier to do in Brighton than drive in a bus lane, it’s park where you are not supposed to!

 We remember this theatre; it has a huge almost semi-circular balcony which covers a third of the downstairs stalls, the remainder of which are exposed under the huge ornate dome, from which the venue derives its name. The floor slopes gently away to the stage at the front which is massive and every seat has a perfect view and, guess what, – air-con again.
Half of the audience appear to be missing during the Lartey Sister’s set (hanging round in the bar outside or still taking dinner in one of the dozens of local eateries, no doubt – tut, tut!) – Well they just don’t know what they were missing. If you’ve heard Ashleigh’s divine voice on this tour and Faye’s immaculate guitar playing, just imagine how excellent it sounds in a huge venue with fabulous acoustics and incredible lighting (more of this later). They wow the audience with ‘Dreaming with Both Eyes Open’, ‘Burning  Bridges’, ‘The Girl With No Name’, ‘Born’, ‘Drifting’ and ‘Nobody’s Here’. There are cheers and whoops as Faye looks up with a smile at the end of her guitar solo piece and broad beams and waves of delight as the two finally leave the stage to thoroughly deserved applause having filled the massive hall with their very special talent. Deb has brought her son James along and I won’t repeat the exact words he used, but suffice to say he was extremely impressed, as were Seb and Steve Carroll, whom we meet outside during the short interval.

Tonight the sound in the dome theatre was immaculate, clear and wonderful and the show is also about lights and we must mention the amazing light show we witnessed. Helped by the extensive array of in-house lighting, and, enhanced by the stage pillars, Tony (Mr Lighting for the tour), pulls off a fabulous show that adds theatre, colour and warmth to the performance, which we have not seen reaching such quality before – clever stuff! It is subtle and dramatic all at the same time; we notice and are impressed – tell him so...

‘Faith and Virtue’ and we smile thinking of the bet Seb has had with his dad about what will open the show, but Seb has been sneaky and read our reports and is guaranteed to win his fiver. ‘Psychomodo’ pumps  the beat into every last corner of the vast auditorium, 12 bar blues, thrashing metal from Stuart, arm crashing from James and an infectious rhythm and we are off on yet another Timeless Flight – glance across to Deb’s son who is grinning from ear to ear. ‘Judy Teen’ and we are transported back in time to when we were mere adolescents and when the quirky sound of violin and voice drew us into the radio and hooked us for life; thirty-six years later and we’re still riding on a crest with Steve Harley!

‘Panorama’ has this incredible hook running through as each verse ends with a sharp ‘clack’ of single drum beat from Stuart, then the most imperceptible of pauses before Robbie’s guitar sings out the refrain to herald Steve’s next lines – fabulous! – We love it!  Next ‘No Bleeding Hearts’ – “language Timothy!” and whilst guitar monitors are sorted out on stage, Lincoln appears to be playing the bass on his knees and Karen is also on her knees trying to recover her set-list pen that she inadvertently threw two rows forward in all the excitement. A lighter isn’t helping in the search and, with the risk of setting fire to the underside of the chair of the man in front very real, she gives up, emerges from the darkness and borrows a pen from Gerry who is sitting just behind us.

The melodica from James on ‘True Love Will Find You in the End’ is impressive as Steve cradles guitar and urges you to ‘step out into the light’. Deb has been playing early albums to her son in the car and he is thrilled to hear the band strike up with ‘Mirror Freak’ next before we move from old to new in what appears to be a recurring set-list pattern tonight. ‘This Old Man’ and the tale that goes with it has added poignancy tonight and it is sung to a hushed and respectful audience whose appreciation for what is rapidly becoming a tour favourite, speaks volumes, as the clapping resonates all around this magnificent auditorium.

On ‘All Men Are Hungry” we hear Robbie’s guitar singing out little challenges, as Steve’s voice reposts and we are happy sitting on this river’s edge. Ashleigh’s voice adds much to ‘Mr Raffles’ as this respectful audience seem reluctant at first to join in – it’s not quite Ipswich again, thank goodness and the singing is carried over into the magnificent ‘ Here Comes the Sun’ – how stunning might this be in that enormous tent on Sunday at the Isle of Wight, with the drums thrashing and two electric guitars plus thousands singing along – can’t wait!

‘The Lighthouse’ well what can you say, an extended violin solo for Barry in his home town and sounds of waves crashing all lit magnificently in blue and silver as the human light on stage shines forth and the electric ones flash the message he is giving us – simply devine! ‘’Blinded with tears’ and we are blinded by Steve’s arm waving at the start and then the fantastic two electric guitar solos – first from Barry ‘Mr Versatile’ Wickens and then the stupendous Robbie – we can’t be any happier.

‘Loretta’s Tale’ makes a welcome return to the set-list with Ashleigh’s voice coming through clear and strong, accompanying Steve and a lovely moment of contrast between Robbie’s guitar and James’s dulcimer which is just perfection to our ears and then we’re off and bopping to ‘Mr Soft’ and it’s so clear that the band are having an absolute party up there on that stage. Playing together, bringing out the meaning in every one of Steve’s incredible songs (even the covers). He has a huge smile on his face telling the world that this is what he was born to do – it’s what they were all born to do, never doubt it! and the beautiful 'Stranger Comes to Town' is evidence enough - fantastic! ‘Sebastian’ is another joy to behold and brings the house down and a marvellous standing ovation.

They want more in Brighton and they get more. More banter which delights and more songs that tell of modern life and letting go, but always being around, as ‘Journey’s End’ reminds us of parenthood and sending our loved ones out into the world. He makes us smile tonight and as ‘that song’ reverberates around the hall and yet another standing ovation follows we know that we shall be smiling all the way home and forever! Thanks to all the band and crew that have been making this tour such a joy to behold but most of all thank you Steve Harley for being there and doing what you do so well – our hero!

We’re taking a two days off now – real lives beckon – but we’ll be leaving you (hopefully) in the reporting hands of PJH from Cardiff, before we’re back at Shepherd’s Bush and Karen will be reporting from the front line at the Isle of Wight Festival – bye for now....