One of the UK’s most hotly-tipped artists arrived on Tyneside on Thursday evening for a memorable night in the toon.
Dylan has appeared on many ones to watch lists in recent times. Last year saw the artist tour with Ed Sheeran, including dates at Wembley Stadium and the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Whilst Dylan’s appearance at Leeds Festival last summer was one of the many highlights of the weekend-long event.
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Thursday night saw the North-East return of the pop starlet with an eagerly anticipated date at NX in Newcastle. A venue that has undergone a radical state-of-the-art transformation over the last 18 months since it recently occupied the spot of the former O2 Academy Newcastle.
A packed-out audience was in attendance to witness Dylan in action. On approach to the venue, fans queued around the block to secure their place at the front. Whilst others achieved pristine views from the balconies surrounding the stage.
At approximately 9pm, Dylan took to the stage to rapturous applause. Bedecked in a red top, black skirt, and boots the star was accompanied by guitarist Rosie Botterill and drummer Connor Hopkins.
Collectively the trio immediately turned up the heat with fiery airings of Lovestruck, The Greatest Thing and Nineteen. Dylan captivated the audience from the off. Whether she was rocking out with her guitar or elegantly dancing across the stage, the Tyneside audience was in the palm of her hand from the top of the show.
Dylan's material is so infectious. The melodies stay with you for days. That was certainly the case with songs like Someone Else. It was also a moment which showcased the wonderful chemistry between Dylan and guitarist Rosie.
The first half of the show was uplifting and adrenaline-fuelled. Although Dylan took a moment to slow down the proceedings during a beautiful stripped-back rendition of Home Is Where the Heart Is.
However, from here on in, it was back to business as usual. The crowd sang wholeheartedly at the tops of their voices during Girl of Your Dreams.
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Dylan even took the opportunity to wear a pink cowboy hat given to her by a fan on the front row whilst hurtling towards the end of the set.
As the old saying goes, Nothing Lasts Forever. Perhaps an ironic closing number to a stunning main set. With a fond farewell, Dylan and company exited the stage for what appeared to be the last time of the evening.
With the house lights up and music playing over the venue's PA system it appeared that the loyal fans had seen the last of Dylan for the evening. But continuous chants of one more tune resonated for some time.
Of course, Dylan wouldn’t leave her fans hanging. And an unplanned encore occurred to much rejoicing from the Tyneside audience. By their admittance, an encore is not the norm at a Dylan concert, so for those in attendance it was indeed a rare treat.
It may only be February, but Dylan has raised the bar high for touring artists to follow in 2023.
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