Dodgy [Live] at Cardiff Barfly 6th December 2008

This was worth the 13 years wait!

December 6, 2008, 02:03 AM

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Dodgy used to be a staple diet of mine. Their songs fuel emotion and memory in me and I remember moments in time for no other reason other than I was listening to their album when something significant happened. So, whilst waiting in line on my birthday outside Barfly in Cardiff I spy a poster saying Dodgy are going to be playing there on December 5th. I literally shit myself and contact the Dodgy guys for a couple of guest-list slots so that after all this time being a fan I can see these guys live. I still listen to Dodgy quite often even after all this time. I now have a MASSIVE CD collection but whenever I browse through it and see one of the two classic Dodgy albums (Homegrown and Free Peace Sweet) amongst the crowd I always stop right there and play it. I actually recall slamming on Homegrown a month or so back whilst I had a bath and thinking to myself how good the production, harmony and song-writing was even to this day.

So the day actually arrives and I'm psyched, so much so in fact that we actually turn up as the doors open, when no one but us is there. Fashionably Late? Hell no, we were Fashionably Early! And eagerly we wait. I sit through a really shit band with REALLY loud and obtrusive vocals, there are moments where this band sound great (musically) but then the "singer" opens his mouth and spoils it all. The sound guy for this is also awful and I start to wonder how this night will work out? Will it be fun and memorable or will it be filled with this shit? Only time will tell. My hopes are lifted when second support Olympus Mons grace the stage. These guys sound so full I am flabbergasted when my girlfriend tells me that they are a three piece. As I hadn't been paying attention I did not notice this fact and finding this out blows me away. Olympus Mons play a blinding set and have without a doubt gathered a bunch of new fans this evening and they are now on my musical radar too. I see both Nigel and Mathew from Dodgy randomly walking through the crowd this evening and it's weird because although the crowd are blatantly here to see them, nobody but a pair of sisters seems to even notice them. I do, and they look super normal - like your mate. They can just skim through the crowd and people don't even notice them. I hear Dodgy line checking and I just have to get myself in position for this. Other people also start moving forward and all of a sudden what at first appeared to be a rather small crowd, when huddled together feels much bigger.

Dodgy grace the stage to rapturous applause and start off strong. The musicianship is excellent, the lead vocals are great, the three part harmonies excite me and the addition of a live keyboardist complete the trio perfectly. Uncontrollably I find myself singing along loud and strong. Every song they play gets people going and EVERYONE in this miniature venue at this moment in time is feeling these boys (Dodgy) and deservedly so. In fact, I have been to this Barfly venue numerous times and until this day I have NEVER seen a crowd singing along to the words of a track before. That is usually kept for the big venues when there are loads of people. Today Dodgy got the crowd singing along numerous times and I must say I was probably one of the loudest of them all. Singing, dancing and just getting into the Dodgy mood. Front man Nigel held the crowd strong and actually you really feel a bond with him as he tells his in between song stories. Probably the single most impressive moments of the whole gig is Dodgy's ability to pull off their signature three-part harmonies impeccably live. Andy Millers solos soar, Mathew's drums sound as bouncy and prolific as they do on record and Nigel's bass although during his singing it is quite minimal it really helps to give the spine of the band and when he lets loose he shows his bass skills quote amazingly. Another amazing occurrence that Dodgy pulled off this evening that is rare to see in a venue of this size is live vocal effects like reverb and delay. Their sound guy added subtle vocal effects throughout which really helped to give the big venue atmosphere to this small club venue gig.

Forced off the stage one song early, Dodgy decide to end the night with "Grassman". I cannot believe my luck. I have probably learnt that song three or four times on piano in different places, at different times of my life and on different pianos and for some odd reason whenever I sit down on a piano I want to play it! Even when I do play it people always ask me what it is and get inquisitive about it. I guess that shows true song writing genius? The crowd sing-a-long on this is rapturous, loud and bigger than ever and I (fist in air) remember why I did (and do still) love Dodgy. They even played a few new songs tonight which, although a bit more synthy sounding than previous efforts does not fail to satisfy. Shit. I forgot to buy the tour EP. Damn!

Keep your eyes on these guys because if the reaction tonight and the chemistry felt is anything to go by then there is a new Dodgy album coming soon! If it is anything like "Homegrown" or "Free Peace Sweet" it will sit melodiously in my memory banks for the next 13 years. Well done boys, tonight you successfully delivered one of my favourite gigs of 2008 and made the 13 years wait to see you live very much worth it. My passion and belief in Dodgy is rekindled so.... let's make a new album is it lads?

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