Dashboard Confessional - Live in Cardiff

CIA December 3rd

December 4, 2007, 06:51 PM

Views: 3188   Comments: 1

As soon as i found out Dashboard Confessional were heading to the UK again I was really pleased. When I found out that one of the dates was in Cardiff I nearly fell off my chair.



The last time Dashboard played in the UK was some time ago and now they are back...... but wait.... whats this.... they are supporting..... who?? Maroon 5???... On an arena tour??

I had mixed thoughts about this news. DC in the UK. Brilliant. Supoorting Maroon 5 on an arena tour. Not so sure about that.

Well I went along on a cold and damp December night with a very divided mind about what to expect. I'm going to start now by saying I was pleased with the outcome.

Being the first band on a 2 band bill meant that they had to hold the crowds attention who were mainly there to see the headliners. This did not seem to phase them in any way whatsoever. They owned that stage like the show was their own.



The set-list consisted of mostly newer material (from the last 2 albums) leaving my hopes being dashed. I initially thought I might get to hear some of the older songs. I quickly accepted the fact that this might not have been the right crowd for it. With those thoughts put aside I started to enjoy the performance.

The new songs sounded fantastic in a live setting. New single "Thick as Thieves" and album opener "Where Theres Gold.." being a couple of the best. The new album is a return to the more solo acoustic style Chris Carabba is famed for but the tracks did not sound out of place in the arena with his band backing him. Even the slighty controversial (cough *spiderman 2 soundtrack* cough) track "Vindicated" was played with a passion and attitude that just wasn't present on the album version.



What made the whole show all the more enjoyable was the fact that the band seemed to be enjoying it as much as the crowd. They were throwing a bit of banter back and forth between songs (and sometimes during) and genuinly seemed to be having fun. It made the whole performance far more intimate in comparison to the massive surroundings of the arena.

There is something compelling about Chris's performance that pulls you in and makes you forget you are surrounded by as many people as you are. When a musician can do that they deserve respect. Especially in a room that size.



I only have one problem with last nights performance and thats the oddly chosen cover of "Teenage Dirtbag" by Wheatus. I wasnt really too sure why that musical travisty occured when that was valuable song space taken up by what could have been one of Dashboards own songs.

"Hands Down", the last song they played, is always a fan favourite when played live and to my suprise even prompted a crowd sing-along.

Apart from the strange cover choice, the performance as a whole was captivating and I can only hope its not long before they are back on these shores for a headline tour.




Live review and pictures by gav@altsounds.com

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