Review: Troy Redfern + Dare

Rescue Rooms (October 14th, 2022)

Reviewer/photographer: Dan Mann

Friday saw me taking a trip over to Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms for Dare‘s Road To Eden October Tour, with support from Troy Redfern.

I’ve seen Troy quite a few times over the years, and there is no doubt that he’s one of the hardest working musicians on the circuit, seemingly constantly touring and yet still managing to record and release some superb albums, like his latest offereing ‘The Wings of Salvation‘.

I was intrigued to see wht the crowd would make of Troy, AOR/melodic rock fans are not his normal target audience,. It didn’t take long for Troy to win them over, with already a decent sized audience. Considering there was only Troy and a drummer, no bassist on this tour, the sound didn’t fail to completly fill the venue, full of power and attack!

Judging from comments I heard, Troy Redfern made some new fans on the night, for this particular long-time fan it was great to here the new material live, as well as songs from his previous releases.

(Click on photos for full size)

It was the late 80’s the first time I saw Dare, that was back when Prof. Brian Cox was in the band, although he never mentions it these days, their brand of AOR/melodic rock was certainly on point at that time. Since then I’ve seen them a few times, a band who’ve a strong and loyal fanbase which is very much in evidence at the Rescue Rooms.

With main man Darren Wharton resplendent in wraparound shades, obviously enjoying himself from the off, striding across the whole stage between band members, we were treated to a the type of tight and professional performance you would expect from such industry veterans.

Whilst some of the band’s more Celtic material isn’t really my thing, there wasn’t a point I din’t enjoy the band’s set.