Live Review: Tyketto + This House We Built @ The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool on December 3rd 2023

It’s very busy early doors at the Waterloo, seemingly with much of tonight’s Sold-Out crowd having already claimed a premium spot long before openers, the unusually monikered This House We Built, have played a single note.  I must confess to being unfamiliar with this Yorkshire four piece before tonight’s gig, so wasn’t sure what to expect, but whatever those expectations might have been they would have been unexpectedly (and pleasantly) confounded by tonight’s performance. 

This House We Built are an interesting melting pot of influences and sounds that come together into a fascinating whole.  Within the space of just the first song ‘Fairweather Friend’ we get funky bass riffing under an almost rapped vocal - leading me to initially think that was what the band were all about - before a left turn into a big chorus, an epic wah-wah solo and some dirty riffage firmly disabuses me of that notion.  Already, the crowd are moving and grooving along, with singer Scott Wardell imploring everyone to “get your dancing pants on”, which they dutifully do to ‘Nobody’s Fool’, a melodic gem that screams summer anthem (even in the darkest depths of a Lancashire winter’s night), whilst at the same time proving that melodic can still be tough and muscular.    

The band continually surprise, shifting gears effortlessly from punchy stormers to introspective heartfelt numbers laden with emotion and intensity (one of which hit me with a particularly resonant gut punch).  ‘Fly Me Up to the Moon’ is dedicated to all those who have loved and lost someone, putting me in mind of both Crowded House and Goo Goo Dolls.   

As the set goes on, there’s more funky bass, a smattering of electronica, swapping of vocals, and an inventiveness and depth in their songs that can sometimes be uncommon these days and I’m here for it in spades.  From the response of the crowd by end of the set they were too, no doubt buoyed along by the genius inclusion of John Farnham’s ‘You’re the Voice’ to close.  Definitely a band I look forward to seeing again and one to add to the “ones to watch” list… 

Earlier this year, Tyketto, completed a co-headline tour of the UK, with fellow melodic rock luminaries, Dare and FM.  Tyketto vocalist Danny Vaughn confides in us at one point in the set, that this was something of a make-or-break time for the future of the band, a tour that would help him decide whether to call it a day or keep going.  The reception the band evidently received back in May, and the response from tonight’s crowd make it abundantly clear that Danny made the right decision….   

I’ve seen many bands over the last twelve months, but not many have pulled a crowd of the size that is pushing the Waterloo to its capacity tonight.  What it is about Tyketto that commands such devotion and loyalty and makes them stand apart I’m not quite sure, but surely Danny Vaughn has got to be a large part of the attraction.  Very much the beating heart at the centre of the band, Danny’s vocals have not been in the slightest bit diminished by the passage of time, as effortlessly smooth and mellifluous as they were back in the late eighties.  Danny jokes that this isn’t quite as easy now as it was when he was thirty, and whilst many of the crowd - many of whom are of a similar vintage - would no doubt agree with the sentiment, tonight’s show is an opportunity to turn back the hands of time to those younger days, even if it’s just for a couple of hours. 

On this the final date of their winter tour, Tyketto are in imperious form, delivering an immaculately polished set of melodic gems.  Everything you would expect is present and correct; gloriously over wrought solos, keyboards set to stun, with Danny’s impeccable vocal sailing above it all.  It’s clear that the band are a tightly-honed unit, each member shining and contributing to the beautiful noise they are creating. But they never fall into the trap of being too slick; in an art form that prides itself on excitement and spontaneity, safe and over-rehearsed can be the the kiss of death but Tyketto straddle that delicate balance expertly. 

Danny is the consummate frontman, refreshingly honest, open and engaging, sharing personal tales one moment, leading the crowd in another bout of audience participation the next; he’s charismatic and compelling and holds the crowd in the palm of his hands throughout.  Every song is an opportunity for the crowd to join in, with singalongs, clapalongs and arms aloft and waving aplenty.  And whilst it may be unapologetically old school and nostalgic, the looks of sheer joy on the faces of the assembled masses, show just how much these songs mean to so many, and are hard to ignore.  Done badly, nostalgic shows can be a wretched and depressing experience, pillaging a precious history to chase a fast buck; but done right - as it so firmly is tonight - it becomes a celebration of a shared musical history, the songs that form part of our individual and collective rock n roll DNA. 

‘Wings’ is an early standout in the set (but really every number could be considered such, depending on your point of view); we get a cover of Waysted’s ‘Hero’s Die Young’, a throwback to Danny’s time in that band alongside drummer Johnny Dee, who provides a rock-solid backbone to the proceedings throughout with some lovely, economic, tasteful playing.  As you would expect, the curtain metaphorically falls with the evergreen ‘Forever Young’, lifting spirits and voices in one final communal singalong before we spill out into the bitter December night. 

On the drive home, I ponder the night’s gig and one thing strikes me; Tyketto don’t feel like a band that are done yet, that there may still be more to come from them, and I for one hope that that is indeed the case… 

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Tyketto, This House We Built