Dan Kelly and the Alpha Males@ The Corner Hotel

Sun 9th Jul, 2006 in Gig Reviews

Dan Kelly and the Alpha Males seem to be the perennial support act.  There wouldn’t be a dedicated concertgoer who has not seen the boys play.  This was the second time in three months that I had seen them support a noteworthy act, this time supporting the stunning Clare Bowditch and the Feeding Set (check out the latest range of merchandise – Bowditch always has something special but the current range is special indeed).  Anyway, I would like this review to be an open letter to Mr Kelly and his Alpha Males.

Dear Dan (and the Alpha Males),

The last time I saw you play, I was not particularly impressed. You were supporting Augie March at the Hi Fi and it was a very disappointing set.  In my last review of one of your sets, I cited the length of your songs as being the main problem.  This created a snowball effect, with your music becoming mere noise and your audience becoming bored.

This time around, I was so impressed by the marked improvement in your set.  I’m not sure if you got a chance to read my last review, but it seems that you have addressed the one glaring flaw in your performances.  My friend, who coincidently was also with me the previous time I saw you, was similarly impressed with you this time.  The songs you played were short and sharp, and it was enough to leave us wanting more.  ‘Fool for Lovin’’ is a beauty and the new single is better.  And ‘Mountain Woman’, with its handclaps and recorder, is far and away the best song in your repertoire.  Your concentration on editing songs has meant they translate much better live and leave a lasting impression on the crowd.  Well done.

The decision to dress in suits was a nice touch, although not to the liking of everyone around me.  Still, it added that extra element of class and professionalism from the moment you walked on stage.  You kept the ball rolling and grabbed the audience by the ears with your snazzier, melody driven songs.  I was so pleased that your set did not turn out like last time you decided to come out and indulge in a jam.  While I still believe ‘Summer Wino’ could also do with an edit, the fact the rest of your set is modelled on shorter songs allows you the luxury to let go on your final song.

The sign of a professional performer is the ability to take criticism and use it as motivation to improve.  I think that there was a perception out there amongst audiences that you weren’t the greatest live performer.  But in a short period of time you have taken leaps and bounds, and converted yourself into a quality live act.  On the strength of what I saw on Saturday night, I will now go out and buy your new album.  I only hope that ‘My Brain is on Fire’ is not on it.  It has an interesting title, but it is a dud.

Warm regards and all the best for the future,

Patness