Dexys find some old soul rebels in Poole

Dexys live at Poole Lighthouse (29.5.2024)

If you liked Dexys Midnight Runners, then I think it’s time you went to see Kevin Rowland perform live again, with Dexys, the current line-up. Dexys Midnight Runners (DMR) injected a new sound into the early 80s, bringing old sounds back together in Kevin Rowland’s special way. Albums in summer 1980 and autumn 1982 that sold millions. Then came one hell of a crash – such a height to fall from.

People turned their backs on the third album. I forgot about them as a current band. An occasional single play on the radio and that was it. The band split. Kevin had addiction problems – I listened recently to his references to this period on a Chris Difford podcast, I Never Thought It Would Happen.

Last time I saw Kevin Rowland was when he was canned off the main stage, wearing a skimpy dress at Reading Festival in 1999. Such a contrast to my only previous Dexys (DMR) gig, at the height of his/their powers, on 3 October 1982 at Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre. It was a matinee performance. We were seated quite near the front and a few of our party were threatened with ejection for dancing – a strange concept the matinee gig. I went with a group of geography students after we had infused the two Dexys’ albums into our systems via cassettes taken on a two week field trip in the south of France. Searching for the Young Soul Rebels, the first album, remains an all-time favourite.

So decades later, I noticed Dexys were touring in 2022 but this was cancelled due to Kevin Rowland’s motorbike accident and slower than expected recovery. When the dates for this current tour were announced, kicking off in Poole and walking distance for me, I jumped at the chance and here I am – one member of the 1981 geography Dexys field trip with me, gig buddy Plymouth Dave, who I went longer without seeing after leaving university than I did Kevin Rowland.

No support tonight. It seems very quiet in the main bar. The Lighthouse Poole seats 1476 but the balcony is closed for this one. It seems about two-thirds full tonight in the downstairs seating.

A colourful Kevin comes on to a very uncomplicated, spacious and brightly lit stage. No backdrop, few visible leads, amps or instruments. Along with Kevin, the only other Dexys (DMR) original is Big Jim Patterson on trombone but he no longer tours with the band.

The brass pair (trombone and sax) are a significant part of the sound and are often stage front (right in front of us). These are joined by a drummer and keyboardist.

What is surprising tonight it that the new album, The Feminine Divine, barely makes an appearance – just three songs in a 13-song set that lasts a shade over an hour and a quarter. After the opening Bee Gees’ cover, To Love Somebody, we get into the classic Tell Me When My Light Turns Green. There’s only one other to cherish from the 1980 first album and that’s the number one hit single, Geno about halfway through.

The first few blasts on the brass of Geno and most of the audience are out of their seats. Wonderful. Kevin’s voice is still really good – he’s 70. It’s not just his singing voice but the talky bits that give him his unique style. He duets with sax guy Sean occasionally – the sort of singing arguments of some Dexys tunes.

It’s The Too-Rye-Ay that is given most attention – what a crowd pleasing set Kevin Rowland has given this evening. Jackie Wilson Said is followed by Until I Believe In My Soul. One from the new album and then – of course – Come On Eileen. Now there’s the track that you couldn’t really leave out of a Dexys’ gig. People would go home disappointed. Perhaps there is a shade of disappointment as that is the last song, bar the encore. That went quickly. I suppose an hour and a quarter is up the short end of the spectrum, unless it’s a new band.

The encore is from their 1985 album – a chatty interaction one (This is What She’s Like) – not one I know that LP, but hey ho that was a surprisingly good evening, or should that be reassuringly good. I know, I should have had more faith. Sorry Kevin. I believe in your soul.