Today’s choice was simple; go and see Dashboard Confessional play a secret gig in London or do nothing at all. Naturally, I chose to go to the show. This special promotional event turns out to be short, but sweet.

Dashboard Confessional have recently re-embarked upon British soil following the release of their fourth studio album ‘Dusk and Summer’ last month, and the first single off that album, ‘Don’t Wait’ earlier this week. They played an intimate show last night at The Barfly in Camden, but asides from that special show, and an acoustic appearance followed by signing session in Fopp's bookstore on Monday, the band haven’t played in the UK since summer 2004.

They have been missed, to say the least. For the lucky few in attendance today, it was the opportunity to see them before they join the bandwagon of the Carling weekend at Leeds and Reading festivals this weekend. In attendance today from the band are Chris Carrabba and John Lefler. Coming into the venue at the slightly unfamiliar time of 1pm, the intimacy immediately strikes everybody, it’s hard to believe that within the course of the next hour they will see Chris Carrabba grace such a small stage, pinching is definitely present amongst friends.


The quiet which will eventually settle for Dashboard’s four song promotional set will demonstrate just how much respect this band has, and also how privileged everyone in the small room must feel to have this opportunity.

Chris takes his seat at the piano and the opening chords of ‘So Long, So Long’ chime out. It’s a relieving moment, but slightly disappointing when it becomes clear the song is the truncated version of the new album, and not the epic original. The song works well, with John Lefler filling in admirably on the vocals recorded by Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz on the album. Lefler and Carrabba work well together and the long vocal note on “I’m gone…” towards the end of the song is real neck-hair raiser. The crowd is amazingly observant and very appreciative with a round of applause finishing the song.

Carrabba feels it necessary to explain the reason for choosing the first song “We’ve just woken up, that’s why we started mellow”. The crowd laughs at this, but it’s soon quietened as the pair finally decides on new single ‘Don’t Wait’ for the second track today. The acoustic version pulls all the same punches as the studio version, and Lefler once again goes onto harmony duty, though some parts were shaky here, the song worked really well. The question on many critics’ lips was if Dashboard’s new material would produce the same sporadic crowd reactions of singing every line back at the stage, it’s hard to gauge on today’s input, a few join in, but it also occurs that most of the people in the room may not yet have a copy of the new single or album.

The third song is oldie, ‘Remember to Breathe’ which was immortalised on the band’s MTV Unplugged CD. Today seems set to prove that the ethos of acoustic sessions being as chilled as possible is one the band have adopted. It’s slightly disappointing but it’s also nice in a way; as I don’t recall the last time I felt this relaxed at a show. The song’s vocal delivery is much softer than the ‘Unplugged’ version; it’s more of a sweeping delivery as opposed to the often harsh spouts when Carrabba is running on pure emotion. It’s nice to note that the crowd participation in parts of this song is audible, although still on slightly, it seems to bring a smile to Carrabba’s face; he’s in his stride as high notes and seemingly complex vocal arrangements soar from the speakers (it’s debatable if these were needed due to the crowd’s silent observation and his powerful voice). The song stretches for longer than usual, with a new ending, adding some depth to what is already a classic song.

Following what fails to materialise into a crowd pep-talk from Carrabba “Thanks for being so quiet. It’s like when I play for my grandma”, which is subsequently hushed by Lefler “Johnny doesn’t like my banter”, Dashboard move into a touching rendition of ‘Closer’ from the new album. The song sounds beautiful when it’s split down to its simplest form. It quickly grows and soars as the duo wrap things up. The applause at the end is rapturous, suddenly what felt like a room of maybe 20 or so people quietly meditating makes enough noise for 400 people. If Dashboard get such a reception at Leeds and Reading, the smile which seems permanently attached to Chris Carrabba’s face nowadays may be firmly engraved. Dashboard are a different, matured prospect to what most of the kids fell in love with, they may have lost some fans, but based on the response today, they’re just getting started.

Kevin Barnes

Photography courtesy of Vicky Richards www.myspace.com/vjphotography