Sweden is not spoiled with visits from Dexys Midnight Runners, and Malmö has only had the honor once before, in November 2003, that time at Kulturbolaget (KB). Kulturbolaget was also the organizer this time, but now the venue was the historic Slagthuset Theatre. The auditorium was almost full, though not completely sold out.
The stage is minimally set with a drum kit, two keyboards, and a saxophone.
Kevin Rowland steps onto the stage exactly at 19:30 together with Lucy Morgan, Sean Read, Mike Timothy, and Timothy Veller. Together, they kick off the show with the song I'll Always Love You from the new album LOVE. A few more tracks from the new record are performed, and during You've Got the Love, Janelle Martin joins the stage. The duet between her and Kevin feels modern and very pop.
During Because of You, it’s finally time for some more swing-inspired tones. The band is complete when Olli Martin also steps onto the stage with his trombone. Together with Sean Read on saxophone, they offer a wonderful brass solo. The audience likes what it hears, and the cheers fly across the hall.
Kevin ends the first part of the show with My Life in England Pt. 2. The audience is quick to clap along with the music, and Kevin invites everyone to sing along in the chorus.
The first set is over, with a focus on songs from the new album LOVE.
We get a short 15-minute break before it's time for the second set.
First up is Curragh of Kildare, and when Kevin hits the final note in beautiful falsetto, he shows exactly how it should be done.
With Breaking Down the Walls of Heartache, Dexys really open up, and it’s clear how much fun they are having playing together. The tempo and energy are considerably higher now than during the first set.
When it is time for Geno, we in the audience realize we are approaching the home stretch and the end of a nostalgic evening. The audience swings their arms in time with the music, and the sense of camaraderie between the crowd and the band is palpable. Song requests are shouted from the floor, and Kevin responds with a smile:
“Yes, I know that one!”
Then he counters:
“Try this one, I think you like it!”
Lucy Morgan steps to the front of the stage and plays the opening notes of Come On Eileen with her violin. The crowd cheers and the band joins in on the song, which must be counted among their biggest hits.
However, it doesn’t quite take off, and the band seems a bit tired of playing this particular song. As the evening’s closing number, it therefore feels a bit lackluster.
Luckily, it turns out this is not the last song of the evening. There are in fact two encores.
Kevin returns with the gang, and Sean Read takes the opportunity to ask “What's she like?” The answer is of course This Is What She's Like. The evening ends with Tell Me When My Light Turns Green.
Summing up the night, I find that overall it was a very pleasant concert. The first set was a bit calmer, but in the second set and during the encores, the band delivered much more energy. Kevin Rowland’s voice still holds up, although in certain songs it’s noticeable that perhaps the power isn’t quite the same as during the band’s heyday in the early 1980s.
The favorites of the evening were definitely Breaking Down the Walls of Heartache and Geno.
The verdict? A strong four out of five!
Dexys Midnight Runners live band:
Kevin Rowland – Vocals
Sean Read – Saxophone/Keyboards/Vocals
Mike Timothy – Keyboards
Lucy Morgan – Violin & Vocals
Timothy Weller – Drums
Janelle Martin – Vocals
Olli Martin – Trombone
