Dexys, Electric Arena:
The young soul rebels have all grown up and Kevin Rowland and Dexys arrive into Stradbally with their first album in 27 years One Day I'm Going To Soar to play.
We've witnessed many different sonic and satorial iterations from Rowland's crew over the years, a band always on their own trend with fashion etiquette.
This time, the On the Waterfront donkey jackets of the gang who met in caffs, the dungarees of the raggle-taggle years and the Madison Avenue suits of the Don't Stand Me Down years has been replaced by wide trousers,
baker-boy caps and Forties chic.
Musically, we're in a whole different ball-park too, Rowland leading the band through the impassioned musical theatre which forms the basis of the new album. He spars with backing singer Madeleine Hyland about his inability
to commit before taking comfort in his friends and his freedom.
There's a confident swing and swagger to Rowland these days as he revels in what he and his band can produce. Of course, he never really gave a toss what anyone thought but this time around, as always, it's a performance with
much to recommend.
Verdict: ***