Thirty plus years since their first visit to Glasgow as support to White Lion, Tyketto have become regular visitors to the city in recent times and an expectant crowd filled The Garage looking forward to an old school rocking evening with Danny Vaughn, Little Caesar and Dan Byrne in a unique three band bill.
Tyketto – Little Caesar – Dan Byrne
The Garage, Glasgow – 19 September 2024
Words: Ian Sutherland
Photography: Razorrhead Productions
First up was Dan Byrne, the Liverpool-born frontman immediately hitting a relaxed, confident stride with Hard To Breathe. The vibe is of a steady classic rock sound, more tasteful licks and thoughtful backing than hard-driving energy, and that lets his voice shine. That soulful instrument is his main selling point.
Being first on a three-band bill means you have the venue slowly filling as you play, but the positive energy on stage pulls people in, and by the time the rousing radio-friendly rock of Like Animals and a rocking Death Of Me close the set, there is a large and appreciative crowd in the hall.
Little Caesar
American hard rock survivors Little Caesar have gone from one of those bands you thought you would never see to semi-regulars on the UK club circuit. Here at the special invitation of Tyketto’s Danny Vaughn, they waste no time in settling into their special blend of rock ‘n’ roll. 
Almost the opposite of showy, their live style is about hitting a dirty rock ‘n’ roll groove and peppering it with catchy choruses, soulful inflections and a low-key ‘we are in it with you’ punk rock vibe.
The jaunty energy of Rock And Roll State Of Mind really sets out their stall, while their riff and harmony treatment of Aretha Franklin’s Chain Of Fools shows how much breadth they have in the locker.
Inviting Danny Vaughn on stage to do vocals and harmonies on Cajun Panther showed what a team effort this tour is and delighted everyone in the room. By the time they exited the stage, Little Caesar had delighted their fans and made a bunch of new ones, too.
Tyketto
It was not too long before Mr Vaughn was back on stage, whipping up the crowd to join him in rocking out to opener Nothing But Love from Tyketto’s classic debut album.
There are various versions out there of how to be a rock frontman, but this really not grizzled-looking veteran really knows how to do it properly. The hair may be greyer, but that magic voice does not seem to have aged at all, and the energy levels are still through the roof.
The band are, of course, tight and together and sounding fabulous. The solid efforts of Chris Childs, Johnny Dee and Ged Rylands set down the platform for recent recruit Harry Scott Elliot to show off some dazzling runs and fluid riffing on the guitar while their vaunted leader reaches out to everyone in the hall out front.
We are lucky that Tyketto tours the UK quite regularly these days, but that leaves the thorny problem of keeping setlists fresh. Anyone can play the hits and favourites, but can you add in the deep dives and the rarities in a way that keeps the room engaged?
But when you have a quality back catalogue like these guys and a charismatic singer to go with it that is not a problem at all. There were lusty singalongs to Wings and Rescue Me, the ever-poignant emotions of Standing Alone and, of course, the coming together vibe of Forever Young.
But more recent cuts like Circle The Wagons and Kick Like A Mule were effortlessly laid out to an audience who welcomed them like old friends. A cracking run through of UFO’s Only You Can Rock Me was just the icing on a very tasty cake.
This was a triumphant performance by a veteran band who are on an upswing right now and gaining new fans as well as satisfying the old ones. They have both a glorious past and a bright future and you cannot say that about many bands who have been around this long.
