2023 live...Chapter 10: Richard Dawson – Whelan’s, Dublin, May 26 2023

All the D4 types slumming it on Camden Street in the sunshine with bottles of rosé.

Anseo a sweet oasis before the show.

Venue rammed. P and me opt for the more spacious balcony. Good choice other than the one langer trying to create a moshpit.

Richard is awesome. Just him and his red electric guitar.

The song about his nephew playing a football match.

The one about a fox.

The one about struggling with anxiety and taking up jogging.

The one from Peasant.

The staggering fingerpicking but then sometimes the unexpected power chords that would remind you of Bill Bailey stand up comedy and make it sound a bit like heavy metal.

Plus his voice is amazing. Reaching for the stars and leaving everything on stage.

Every cell of his body engaged and invested in this.

In a word moving.

Everything Lankum were not. I bump into Tadhg again and he agrees with me on this. About the emotional connection.

Myles Manley and band played first.

They played a great set of post punk and Myles left his sometimes contrary ways at home.

It was overall well worth leaving Anseo a little early to catch.

The band was Maija Sofia’s two lads. Chris & Solamh. Top class action from those two.