Review: Alex Lleu + Dom Martin

The Eel Pie Club London (October 19th 2023)

Reviewer: Nigel Foster

Photographer: Manuela Langotsch

The legendary Eel Pie Club played host to the mercurial Dom Martin and his band as part of the current Buried In The Hail Tour and it proved to be a memorable evening of glorious music.

Before more about Dom it is important to mention Alex Lleu who stepped in at short notice to provide the opening slot. Alex took to the stage with just a bunch of songs an acoustic guitar and a terrific voice.

During a 30 minute set Alex impressed with musicality and songcraft, vivid lyrics sung with feel spun around his fretwork. A great way to start the gig.

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I saw Dom perform his first UK gig when he played solo and acoustic in support of Elles Bailey. I immediately knew I had witnessed a very special talent and the ensuing years have served to reinforce that view.

This is the ‘Buried In The Hail Tour 2023‘ to promote the album and Dom played the album in full but not in the album running order. If you have heard the album you will know it is a statement of intent and in the live environment that intent is significantly amplified thanks to Dom’s virtuosity and the skilful accompaniment of his rhythm section of Ben Graham on bass and Aaron McLaughlin on drums. This is a real power trio and as a unit they delivered a broad range of sonic dynamics.

The opening was certainly the calm before the storm as Dom took to the stage with just a stool and an acoustic guitar and immediately he drew a packed audience under his spell with a combination of delicate musical patterns and his deeply expressive vocal as he played an instrumental opener followed by the plaintive strains of ‘The Fall‘. Almost flamenco style finger picking gliding into intricate chord sequences draped over the rasped vocal.

Ben and Aaron joined Dom and the trio eased into ‘Government‘, Dom’s railings against modern politics. Languid drum and bass lines nestling under the guitar and the acerbic vocal.

Then Dom stood up, plugged in and the band dived headlong into a virulent heavy duty version of Rory Gallagher’s ‘Messin’ With The Kid‘. Hard driving grooves splintered by Dom’s blistering riffs that led into a scorching solo and them some lively interplay between the band.

‘Buried In The Hail‘ was a cataclysmic soundscape. Metallic slide guitar intro ushering in the gravelly vocal and the explosive double shot drum burst that continued throughout creating a threatening vibe before falling away to a gentle guitar outro.

‘Belfast Blues‘ was a killer, slide riven and furious guitar butted against the drum and bass runs all underneath the imploring vocal. As the song gathered in pace it was thrilling to watch Dom’s hands travel the frets with controlled aggression creating a tirade of sounds.

‘Lefty 2 Guns‘ followed and the pace dropped a few notches as the guys slipped into the slow blues coda of the song. Stretched rhythm section interlocking with Dom’s deft finger picking and the deep rich vocal depicting the tale of a hitman. The mid song solo was achingly beautiful, a cacophony of notes tumbling from the frets.

Dom loves a cover and for this album he chose Willie Nelson’s ‘Crazy‘ and his interpretation is so innovative and live it was entrancing. Opening up on a growled vocal intertwined with the dexterous guitar strokes that led into a wonderfully fluid solo with elements of sustain.

Unhinged brought the set to a close in sensational style, booming drum and bass shot through by the switchblade riffing with echo all framed around the moody vocal.

The crowd rose to acclaim the trio and Dom avoided that often embarrassing moment when the band leaves the stage, hangs around and then returns for an encore.

So the guys stayed in situ and threw down a double shot salvo that created a torrent of sounds. This included ‘Maxwell Shuffle‘, in memory of massive Dom fan Gordon Maxwell sadly departed.

This segue erupted into a freeform jam with the trio firing off each other. A kaleidoscope of sounds flashing between a shuffle, some boogie and some thundering rock. Dom carved out a torrent of staccato riffs and a switchblade solo where his hands were joined up at the bridge resulting in anguished cries from the guitar.

Signal an ovation that was richly deserved. I love this man and I love his music.

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