Mike Dawes – Band On The Wall, Manchester – Sunday 30th March 2025
GUITAR GYMNASTICS
What better way to spend a Sunday evening than joining a sell out crowd packed with guitar nerds and geeks and enjoy a masterclass with acoustical guitar gymnastics of Mike Dawes.
He’s not toured in the UK since 2017, so it’s hardly any wonder that the venues on his current jaunt are well filled. Filled with what he often calls ‘his friends’; guitar bods all, and those like us who are just mesmerised at the skill son display which are so very far beyond the capabilities. One of those insanely talented musicians who makes it (a) look so easy – so easy that he has to think of what else he can do with his hands beyond playing the notes, and (b) who must have some innate gene from birth that manifests itself in such expertise and co-ordination.
As the In The Air Tonight intro music reaches the famous drum fill, he bounds onto the stage with a long legged air leap, giving hugely enthusiastic thumbs up to all. It’s certainly not going to be an occasion of reverential silence as Mike actively encourages Manchester to make some noise and engage fully.
ACOUSTICAL GUITAR PROWESS
One man, one guitar (more of which later), some pedals and dad joke is what he promises and delivers. Plus a shedload of acoustical (his term and one we like) guitar prowess.
Packed with ‘where’s that sound coming from?’ moments, as he beats and slaps every possible inch of the guitar. It’s like a pig butcher using everything except the oink – respect for the animal (and the guitar). We’ll skip the guitar maker story – just go to a gig to catch up. The maker has a name that might cause offence but he’s done a grand job in supplying Miek with an instrument that can take one heck of a caning and even has him shaking his right hand after giving it a particularly ferocious beating in the second set.
There are many namechecks that follow the opening Cloud Catcher from the new Galactic Acid album. A song/tune that’s “everything I want to say on acoustical guitar” although having ticked that box, he ploughs on with an eye wateringly impressive set.
IN GOOD COMPANY
Rick Beato, Michael Hedges, Andy McKee and particularly touring partner, Tommy Emmanuel (who we witnessed at the 2024 Cambridge Folk Festival). It’s a medley of a covers EP they knocked out that delves into Sting and Nirvana (“the second Dave Grohl song of the evening!“); Teen Spirit having him twisting and shape throwing at his most dynamic, his chair already upended at he back of the stage.
From Eighties shred metal (who else but Eddie Van Halen) to Prince (cue the purple lights) to Bill Joel and Sleep Token, Mike flirts with their songs and gives them a unique reading. All Along The Watchtower has him (shock horror) breaking a nail. Fortunately it doesn’t land in a drink like it did in Chicago on a previous disaster.
DREAM ON
It’s quite apt that he also plays a tune called The Impossible. Of course, for Mike Dawes it isn’t. For us mere mortals, he’s shared that sort of evening where he mat have inspired some to pick up a guitar for the first time (and find out how difficult it really is) or send some enthusiasts back to the practice room re-energised. Maybe like us, you might just admit defeat as there’s a man up there who can do it so much better that we could dream of.
Here’s a glimpse of the box of tricks that is Mike Dawes:
Mike at BOTW pic – from the desk – whipped from Josh Clark, tour FOH/merch man par excellence
Mike Dawes online: Website / Facebook / Instagram / X / Youtube
Keep up with At The Barrier: Facebook / X / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube