17/7/2022 Marc Valentine, Carol Hodge, & Dave Renegade @ The Dublin Castle

I'm back in Camden Town for the second night in a row - things seem to be picking up a bit now post-lockdown. Sporting his new Martin guitar Dave Renegade opens up tonight's show with a set of his original songs.

There is a hint of country in his music, but there is more going on if you dig a little deeper.

Next up is Carol Hodge. I'd seen her a few times in the past playing keyboards with Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts. This is the first time I've seen her solo and she is very entertaining!

Her songs are interesting and autobiographical - told with a Northern charm, and she tells some funny stories between songs!

Tonight's headline act is Marc Valentine. Best known for vox/guitar duties in Last Great Dreamers - possibly the best band you've never heard of. Last Great Dreamers apparently haven't split up, but Marc and Slyder are both taking some time out for their solo projects - interestingly I also saw Slyder's band recently - click here. Marc has put a very good band of old hands together - a couple of them were in earlier versions of Last Great Dreamers.

The band are all very good musicians, but it is a bit like going into a 1970's/80's timewarp.

The songs are well crafted and sound like they came straight out of the 1970's Glam era - Glam Rock with added pop hooks and melodies. Towards the end of the set something unusual is added to the mix - a girl with a theremin! 

And then Carol Hodge returns to the stage to add keyboard and backing vocals for the last few songs.

All in all it's been an interesting and varied night of music at the legendary Dublin Castle.