Signal Fire Tour 2013
Sheffield Corporation – Wednesday 6th March 2013
Fortunately, I pre-purchased my ticket the evening before otherwise, on a cold, wet night in Sheffield, I would have been tempted to stay at home. Just before 8.30pm, I received a tap on the back and was surprised when I turned round to see Dan Reed standing there; he shook my hand and thanked me for coming to the show before proceeding to the stage with the rest of his band. Actually it was half of his touring band as bassist Bengt Jonasson had taken ill and his keyboard player, Michael Abubakar, had to return home on family matters. A young musician from Liverpool, Karl Sweeney was drafted in on bass and the band was completed by regular drummer Robert Ikiz; tonight’s show went ahead without keyboards.
The show started with three new numbers from the recently released, classy “Signal Fire” album including, “All I Need Is You”, the title track and the beautiful “Only Love”, all of which received a rapturous reception. The band were back in the smaller part of The Corporation although there were approximately 100-120 in attendance with at least half that number being female.
Due to the ridiculously early curfew time of 10.00pm Dan kept his inter-song chat shorter than on recent tours and concentrated on playing as many songs in the entertaining, 90-minute set.
Next up was the title track from Dan’s previous solo album, 2010’s “Coming Up For Air”.
Although there was a great atmosphere throughout the evening and most people are well aware that Dan Reed, in the new Millennium, is all about semi-acoustic, melodic AOR, it was noticeable how the atmosphere raised up a notch with the playing of the old Dan Reed Network classics. The partisan crowd were in full voice during the wonderful “Rainbow Child” from 1991’s “Slam” album.
The thought-provoking “Losing My Fear” preceded “Ritual” which is one of my all-time favourite Network tracks, however, I have to say that I prefer the original funk-rock version to tonight’s slower rendition.
One of the catchiest tunes from the new “Signal Fire” album is the Justin Lavish written “Avalanche” that is almost impossible to get out of your head once heard.
The backing band left the stage for a well earned pint whilst Dan played a couple of Network classics “Stronger Than Steel” and “Long Way To Go” from 1991’s “The Heat”.
Rob Daiker returned on guitar to back Dan in a haunting rendition of “Indestructible” that had been played with keyboards only on earlier shows. I was impressed with Rob the last time I saw Dan Reed but he was even more commanding this evening.
The remaining members of the band then returned for the dramatic ballad “Closer” from the previous solo album. The main set was brought to a rousing climax with a stunning rendition of “Get To You” from the eponymous 1988 Dan Reed Network album.
Encore was the incredible “Brave New World”. Dan was obviously upset by the early curfew and looked as if he would have stayed on stage considerably longer had the opportunity arose. That said, he came straight off the stage and chatted to the fans and signed autographs and remained enthusiastic throughout despite obviously fielding the same old questions time after time. Fingers crossed for a full Dan Reed Network tour next year…
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