Dawes, Ruby Lounge Manchester, 9th December 2012 9/10

Earlier during the weekend, I’d been to a classical concert. The contrast between the emotion on Dawes’ drummer Griffin Goldsmith’s face and the impassive expressions of the orchestra was striking. Any feelings The Halle Orchestra felt were conveyed through the music, rather than overtly. Griffin and his brother Taylor on the other hand lived and breathed every note, and it was utterly obvious that he was completely  absorbed. The contrast in the audience reaction too was striking: at The Ruby Lounge, joy was everywhere, whereas at the classical concert, everyone sat utterly still and silent for 40 minutes until the piece ended, when there was polite applause.

Los Angeles’ Dawes was in the UK to support Mumford and Sons on their arena tour, but I chose to see them headlining in a small venue. I wasn't surprised at the audience's euphoria: after seeing them earlier this year I wrote: From the very first few chords I felt a deep sense of well being, love and nostalgia. I can't imagine anyone not feeling more positive about life after this performance, and I felt like giving someone a hug. The key to the appeal is the heart warming melodies, harmonies and lead singer Griffin Goldsmith’s song writing skills. It’s also about stagecraft: both brothers are incredibly spontaneous and animated on stage. Taylor's strong, lyrical voice has been compared to Jackson Browne's. There was little chatter between songs, but this would have seemed superfluous when there was now three album's worth of material to chose from.

The music’s strongly influenced by the 1970’s Laurel Canyon rock of Crosby, Stills and Nash and Neil Young, yet despite its familiarity it feels fresh. This was reinforced by the fact that Dawes has just finished their third album, the follow up to 2011’s Nothing is Wrong. We were treated to several new songs, of which Something in Common was especially memorable, and as they take them on the road, I’m sure they’ll evolve. Remarkably, Taylor orchestrated a spirited sing along to a new song Window Seat towards the end of the set, and maintained the attention of the audience throughout the new material.

The band can jam, such as in the opening song Fire Away, and has the feel of a tight knit collaboration. Another review of a Dawes show said:  It was the kind of concert where you walk out knowing you will never miss another one of their concerts. The kind of night that leads to going home and staring at their tour schedule and your bank account, trying to decide if you can make it to another show on this round of touring. For the final encore, an audience member's request for A Little Bit of Everything was finally fulfilled, and it felt like a celebration of a joyful evening. You really do need to see them in person, but Dawes record their albums in live sessions to analogue tape, so reliving the experience at home will tide you over until the next time they come to your town.

Set List

• Fire Away
• You Laugh
• Time Spent in Los Angeles
• Something in Common
• When my Time Comes
• Back to Man
• Love Is All I Am
• Most People
• If I Wanted Someone
• Back Home
• Someone Will
• Moon in the Water
• Window Seat
• Peace in the Valley