Evan Dando returned to the O2 Birmingham Institute tonight as part of his UK acoustic tour, following his last visit two years ago with his band, The Lemonheads. Already known for incorporating acoustic songs into Lemonheads sets, fans were prepared for a great evening.
The show kicked off with “The Outdoor Type” from the album Car Button Cloth. Dando experienced some initial monitor issues, which were mostly resolved within a few songs. As expected, most of the setlist featured tracks from It’s a Shame About Ray, Come On Feel, and Lovey, with “Stove” standing out as a highlight, as it often does in acoustic performances. .
Tonight’s set also included stunning covers of Gram Parsons’ “Return of the Grievous Angel,” and a beautiful rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “A Taste of You.” A particularly poignant moment came with his cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” where his fragile delivery enhanced the song’s beauty and heartbreak—something Dando has always excelled at with his stripped-down versions.
For the most part, Dando was in good spirits, interacting with the crowd, mumbling occasionally, and humming guitar solos. The audience responded warmly, particularly during beloved Lemonheads tracks like “Into Your Arms” and “It’s About Time.”
Dando has recently completed a brand new Lemonheads record and that is due for release some time next year, so it may be a while before he offers another intimate experience like this again, making tonights show and indeed this tour, just that little more special.
There’s no doubt that Evan Dando is one of the most significant, albeit occasionally overlooked, singer-songwriters of the ’90s. Tonight’s performance showcased his versatility and the enduring quality of his songs, and ad he closed with a fantastic rendition of “My Drug Buddy” for fans, it was an experience well worth having.
Word by John Ellis
