Dandy Warhols - All fine and Dandy in Bristol

***1/2

Dandy Warhols are certainly not passed it!!!

The Dandy Warhols are probably most known these days for being the band on the Vodafone ad that goes “woo hoo hoo”. Amazingly that use of 'Bohemian like You' was all the way back in 2001 yet was certainly their high water mark. They certainly still have a mass appeal as this Sold Out!!! gig had already been upgraded from The Fleece to the Bristol Uni SU’s Anson Rooms.  It must have been a similar ten years or so since I last saw them too. They have not been standing still in that time having released 6 studio albums since ’13 Tales of Urban Bohemia”

They take the stage and while they look that tiny bit older they still have the enthusiasm and energy I recall and certainly have a summer friendly sound through most of their set, mixed with a few moodier moments where they hit almost Sonic Youth like sounds. Those sounds are rooted in the 60’s via the 90’s but still sound fresh and relevant now which is the sign of a well written tune.

I must admit having lost track of their career for a while I was not as familiar with a number of the songs, but that did not take away the enjoyment of them and certainly gives me a job to do when I get home to get more acquainted with the newer material. Though with a few exceptions of some super fans this does seem to be the case for most the crowd too, the sing along and crowd participation are saved for those hits from those two albums ’13 Tales..’ and ‘The Dandy Warhols Come Down’.

The first we get treated to is from the latter ‘Not if you were the last junkie on earth’ still having the odd sight of a room full of people singing “heroine is so passé”. The rest of the hits mostly come as a batch at the end including of course “Bohemian like You” I always wonder if having a song that is so loved by all is a blessing or a bit of an albatross. You have bands like Radiohead refusing to play ‘Creep’ yet these are the songs that got you to where you are. It is a tough one and bands need to do what they think is best. 

“Get Off” and then the set closing “Boys Better”. It was a chance to relive my cider fuelled youth but it is a shame that I was in the majority in the audience of having not know any songs post 2000. The band must have recognised this and be happy with it having recently released a live version of “13 tales..” They are still a great live band and worth checking out, like me you will come to see they have a whole lot of songs to discover, that’s got to be worth a “woo-hoo”

Review by ​Jon Cooper and Photo's by Steve Owen of Icarus Photography

Check Out! the Video for 'Bohemian like You' Below...