The Del Amitri Concert, October 29, 1997
The Dome, Brighton
by Robin Johnson

Two years ago all I knew about Del Amitri was that they were often in the musicians papers, they had a reputation for a revolving door membership and that Justin Currie had legendary sideburns. Then I met my current girlfriend and that all changed . . .

The Brighton Dome has comfy seats. Very comfy seats. Not at all like your average venue where a quarter of the way through the support set you're cringing in flat-bottomed pain and headed for the bar to relieve the agony. So with Amitri's stage set replete with dodgy wallpaper, flying ducks and standard lamps, the impression of a cosy front room is complete - albeit one with several hundred armchairs.

It's a tribute to the band therefore that, leading in with the title track of the new album Some Other Suckers Parade, the Dome's comforts are soon forgotten as we're all on our feet yelling & bouncing happily along to a set mainly taken from the last (and best) three albums. Songs like Won't Make It Better, Not Where It's At, Start With Me, Always The Last To Know and Roll To Me are brilliantly crafted singalong hard pop songs - harmonies galore and just the right amount of Les Paul grunt to keep an old rocker like me happy. Mellower numbers like Just Like A Man and Funny Way To Win groove along in that impossible-to-keep-your-feet still manner that Amitri have perfected. Dropping another gear, Hatful of Rain and Be My Downfall show Amitri's most sensitive side, yet are still impossible not to sing along to!

Bassist / vocalist Currie holds a brilliant down to earth rapport with the punters, between songs he natters easily and shoots off some deadly one-liners. Even when he spots someone videoing the gig, he merely asks to have a look at her camcorder before handing it back with a few amusing comments and a wry grin. To me, he ranks alongside Metallica's James Hetfield as the probably the perfect frontman. Guitarist Iain Harvie sits further back, mellow and relaxed, mainly playing rhythm guitar while stand-in second guitarist Kris Dollimore plays much of the lead work.

When I heard that Dollimore had assumed second guitarist duties for this tour, I must admit I wasn't exactly thrilled. I last saw him poncing about with an embarrassing group of lumpen old men which was supposed to be my old faves The Damned, and I'd held a vague grudge ever since. However, I take back every single thing - Dollimore had a demanding role, playing much of Harvie's recorded lead work as well as contributing strenuous harmony vocals. He handled it all with consumate ease and fitted in perfectly with the Amitris relaxed onstage personas. If there's any justice in this world, he'll be given the position in Del Amitri full-time. The man is a bona fide star.

Last song of the main set is a storming rendition of my favourite Amitri song Being Somebody Else. After a couple of belting encores, the night is rounded off with an acoustic guitar & accordian rendition of Be My Downfall, with both Harvie and Dollimore sitting out, fag in hand, wandering forward occasionally to contribute backing vocals.

If you imagine having a few mates round and getting your favourite band to play in your front room, you'll get an idea of what tonight was like (though it won't be half as good). Failing that, you'll just have to grab Some Other Sucker's Parade, Twisted or Change Everything, bung it on the stereo, find some flying ducks and imagine that you were there.