FM, Dare & Tyketto Triple-Header – Rock City, Nottingham

Q. What could possibly better than a night of AOR in the heart of Nottingham on a Saturday night?

A. Not much to be honest and judging by the long queue eagerly awaiting the early doors, it isn’t just me who is thinking this.

The line-up tonight is FM, Dare then Tyketto, co-headliners all playing an hour each, with the headline act rotating each night of the tour.

As the atmosphere in the room was heating up, the lights went out and the familiar intro played through the speakers. Legends FM opened their set with ‘Synchronised’, the title track from their 2020 album, with a swagger and confidence of a band so well honed in their craft and it was a smooth drop into ‘I Belong To The Night’ which continued to keep the crowd bouncing and singing along. Back to the more recent with ‘Killed By Love’ and a quick pause for breath.

A firm favourite on the live circuit, it’s hard to put into words just how good this band are. ‘The Voice’ Steve Overland continues to amaze with the power and ability still going strong whilst Jim Kirkpatrick, Jem Davis, Pete Jupp and Merv Goldsworthy deliver the consistency of the skilled, professional musicians they are.

It’s all getting a bit warm as the set progresses through ‘Someday’, ‘Let Love Be the Leader’, ‘Everytime I Think of You’ and one that hasn’t been played live for what seems a huge number of years, ‘Tattoo Needle’.

The catchy, melodic masters totally seem to be enjoying themselves and the crowd’s reaction matches.

A trio of oldie but goodies, “That Girl’, ‘Bad Luck’ and of course ‘Tough It Out’ deliver on the catchy chorus and tasty riffs reminding everyone of how good these songs have aged, probably better than most of us who remember them on MTV. The final song hurls us back to present with ‘Turn This Car Around’ an ear worm of a song from their last album 13.

An appreciative crowd lift the roof with their singing and then applause for the mighty FM.

Next up we have Dare, a perfect fit to follow on from FM. Darren Whartons smoky vocals, toe tapping melodies and the atmospheric Celtic feel to many of their songs.

Opening with ‘Born In The Storm’ from the bands latest release and ‘Cradle To The Grave’ it was obvious from the off that Vinny Burns, Nigel Clutterbuck, Marc Roberts and drummer Greg Morgan were not just along for the ride.

The rich vocal from Darren continuing on a musical voyage through the bands back catalogue with 2016’s ‘Home’, ‘Until’, ‘We Don’t Need a Reason’, ‘Abandon’, ‘Into The Fire’ amongst the pit stops through time. Bouncy, energetic choruses echo around Rock City from these AOR masters.

A tribute to Wharton’s former boss and rock legend Phil Lynott with ‘King of Spades’ was probably the song that brought about the biggest cheer as Dare continued to make more fabulous memories tonight. ‘Return The Heart’ closes the set that delivered on all fronts. Brilliant live band!

Tonight’s final band is Tyketto with the enigmatic Danny Vaughn and this new line-up of Harry Scott Elliot sliding into the guitar slinger slot and the superb tub thumper Johnny Dee picking up the sticks from the wonderful Michael Clayton Arbeeney. Chris Childs is back in the line-up and keyboard wizard Ged Rylands continuing to amaze and impress.

How would Harry step into the shoes vacated by Chris Green delivering some very iconic riffs? Effortlessly and note perfect that’s how. Harry looked comfortable but had a look of concentration etched on his face, ensuring not a note was missed. Johnny is a powerhouse drummer and is the perfect man to fill the seat! This is an excellent line-up; cohesive, professional, and sounding very good.

The set leapt to life with ‘Reach’. A beautiful up-tempo ballad with a huge ‘Tyketto-esque’ chorus that had 1100 additional vocalists attempting to take the roof off.

‘Wings’ saw Danny heading onto the barrier and giving fans an up-close demonstration of that amazing voice. What a song, it never ages. ‘Burning Down Inside’ takes the night to a whole new level with such energy and power, smiling faces, fists in the air, a party atmosphere exploded as Ged struck up the first few notes! I’m blown away by the ageless power of Danny’s voice. Like a firework going off, the band ploughed through some of their best songs, I purposely didn’t look at the set list as I wanted to experience the songs with the crowd. ‘Strength In Numbers’, ‘Lay Your Body Down’, ‘Rescue Me’, the hits keep on coming.

The song everyone was waiting for began ‘Standing Alone’ sounding as huge as the first time I heard it live but this time the 1100 strong choir seemed to send Danny a bit emotional as they sang along to every word, Danny looking stunned and delighted as he strummed his guitar and giving it his all. I had goosebumps and tears and I wasn’t the only one.

Smashing through the years and evoking memories with ‘Sail Away’ and ‘The Last Sunset’ before the song that has become an anthem for a generation, ‘Forever Young’ closes out the set and the night. Welcome back Tyketto, we have missed you!

My face was hurting with smiling, my voice had gone from singing along, my eyeliner smudged from tears and my ears were ringing. Probably one of the most perfect line-ups for a gig ever. A delight of AOR deliciousness, a journey through 35+ years of some of the best songs written delivered by 3 of the best bands with 3 of the best singers in their field. An amazing night.