Dodgy
They have always been a band with a strong sunny disposition, positive and upbeat with the songs to match their attitude.
This is my first ever time of seeing Dodgy live. My one previous attempt at seeing them was way back in 1990, when they supported World Party, I managed to get stuck in some traffic en-route and walked into the venue only to see only the back of their heads as they departed the UEA stage.
I have no reasonable explanation to give as to why it has taken me some thirty-six years to get to this point, but at least I have made it at last!
It’s a much smaller crowd than I had expected this evening for the sons of the Brit pop era. Back in the day Dodgy were everywhere, on the TV, on the radio and regulars on all of the cool music programmes such as TFI Friday, but I assume that it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind this past decade that accounts for many being absent.
They have always been a band with a strong sunny disposition, positive and upbeat with the songs to match their attitude, such as Good Enough, Staying Out For The Summer, In A Room and So Let Me Go Far and thankfully nothing has changed.
A decade on since their last album (What Are We Fighting For) was released, they are back with a brand-new release, Hello Beautiful and judging by the amount of radio play and audience response to the new material, it’s destined to put them well and truly on the map and back in the hearts and minds of their fans.
Following on from a highly successful tour supporting Black Grape at the end of 2025, it’s good to see them back together, on the road and making new music once again.
The whole evening is an absolute hoot from the start to finish with front man Nigel Clark and drummer Matthew Priest constantly making jokes and dishing out the banter, its great fun and much to everyone’s amusement he ridicules Ipswich for being a s*** hole! Next on the target list while Clark is at it is f****** Grimsby where they are due to be playing tomorrow night! Priest informs us that it was in this very room that they started their first ever tour and therefore the venue and the City hold a very special place in their hearts.
New single Summer Forever, which we are told is the Chris Evans ‘single of the week’ on his Virgin radio show, goes down so well, that it gets played, not once, not twice, but three times, all helping to capture the mood of the evening just perfectly. You had to be here to witness the reaction, that they received for it, but the crowd just became even more animated each time they performed it.
The big hits, go down extremely well, with If Youre Thinking Of Me, stealing the show, but the new material is more than holding a candle to the older classic Dodgy songs, with six (of the nine) tracks from Hello Beautiful. They close the night with the classic that is Grassman.
Great fun has been had by all in attendance, what a fabulous time we have all had and long may the Dodgy sunny summer season vibe last forever. It looks like they have enjoyed it as much as we did and I am sure that this place will be much closer to full capacity the next time they play here, based on the crowd’s reaction to tonight’s show.
I wonder if they made it to Humberside and if they were allowed in if they did?
