Tyketto ('Strength In Numbers' Live - Album Launch Party) - The Corporation, Sheffield (UK) - 26 October 2019

As we arrived at the The Corporation the queue was long and stretched back to The Devonshire Cat pub, so my wife and I decided to have a drink in said establishment prior to the show. Unfortunately, by the time the queue had dissipated and we got inside the venue, Tyketto were into their second song of the evening, 'Strength In Numbers'. As the evening was primarily about the album launch of their new 'Strength In Numbers Live' album, it would have been no surprise had the setlist been just a run through of the new release. However, that was not the case, as the third number we were treated to was 'Burning Down Inside' from the classic 'Don't Come Easy' opus. As with all Tyketto shows the atmosphere was electric, but tonight was extra special as it was full of die-hard Tykes fans.

After 'All Over Me' vocalist extraordinaire Danny Vaughn stopped to take a breather and address the partisan audience. He did that between most songs, but never once did you feel he was overdoing it, and it never detracted from the music itself. The excellent 'Catch My Fall' (co-written with Mark Hudson, who had been drafted in to help with the songwriting, but to his credit told the band that they did not need his assistance) preceded my favourite track from the second album, 'Meet Me In The Night'. The sound and mix were both great, which is something you cannot always say at The Corporation. The majority of fans were enjoying the show and singing along, but sadly there were still a few "knob-heads" who decided it was more important to have their own private conversations instead of watching the band!
Vaughn joked how he had been banging on about the cow bell in 'Ain't That Love', which he then duly forgot to play during the tour (from which the live recordings were taken) earlier in the year! The audience participation was immense during 'Lay Your Body Down'. Vaughn discussed writing 'Why Do You Cry' back in Memphis in 1989, and the song that he is obviously most proud of writing, 'Standing Alone'; it's so good that it appeared on their first two albums. The storming 'Faithless' (arguably their finest song from their post-Millennium output) and 'Kick Like A Mule' still prove that Tyketto still have a lot to offer, and they sat neatly alongside the brilliant 'Rescue Me'.

Record label Geffen did not want Tyketto to come to the U.K. in 1991, but fortunately their management insisted, so they hopped on a plane and came across the pond to support White Lion. I saw them on that tour at the Town & Country Club; I think over half the crowd in attendance also saw them twenty-eight years ago on that first tour. Vaughn admitted he was scared they would be booed off stage, and could not believe that the fans knew all the words to the songs. I remember going into my local record shop at the time (Pinpoint in Eastleigh) and they said listen to this; by the time the first chorus of 'Forever Young' had finished I had bought the album.
'Wings' is always a highlight of any Tyketto show and this evening was no exception; Melodic Rock perfection, in my humble opinion. Vaughn then thanked several people and introduced the talented band: Greg Smith (bass & backing vocals), Ged Rylands (keyboards & backing vocals), Chris Childs (guitar & backing vocals), plus the man that has been "staring at his ass for the last thirty-two years", Michael Clayton Arbeeny (drums, backing vocals and kindling provider). 'Reach' was then played, before the inevitable climax of 'Forever Young'; a true classic Melodic Rock anthem. The band took their deserved ovation, plus the obligatory photo with the crowd. However, this time they got us to all turn around with our backs to the stage.

As my wife was suffering with a cold, we unfortunately could not hang around to meet the band after the show. I'm sure that those that did had a splendid time. I don't think 'Shine' will be receiving a twenty-five year anniversary tour, but I look forward to seeing Tyketto back on the road in 2020 - Forever Young.

Mark Donnelly

Setlist: Inherit The Wind / Strength In Numbers / Burning Down Inside / All Over Me / Catch My Fall /Meet Me In The Night / Ain't That Love / Lay Your Body Down / Why Do You Cry / Faithless / Standing Alone / Kick Like A Mule / Rescue Me / Wings / Reach / Forever Young