By Terry Marland, Rock At Night Manchester

Live Review: Dom Martin  with Delta Fuse -Chester Live Rooms, Chester, UK  -Thursday 12th October 2023 

Delta Fuse 

Young Irish blues  band Delta Fuse were hand-picked by Dom Martin to open for him on this tour and you can see why he chose them. They have a vibrant stage presence and play with the confidence of a seasoned band. Their set  includes  several cover versions. ‘Got My Mojo Working” is a great rendition but they totally knocked the ball out  of the park with their take  on Hendrix’s  ”Fire”. If you are going to a show on this tour……..get there early.    

Dom Martin 

Dom Martin’s  set tonight starts with a solo  acoustic slot. The stage lighting dimmed with white spots illuminating the area where he is seated with a collection  of guitars alongside him. After exchanging a few words with the audience he opens with a selection of songs from his new highly rated album Buried in the Hall. The first is the instrumental “Hello in There” a gentle reflective opening that segues into “The Fall” another restrained track that focusses on the way we all treat each other and the threat of the fall in society. It  features some intricate guitar work and at the end of it he quips “I’m glad I got through that without messing it up “. 

 He introduces Ben Graham on bass and Aaron McLaughlin on drums (who are both excellent throughout) to the stage  saying it is almost an insult to refer  to them as a drummer and bass player because they mean so much more than that to him. The first number from the full band is the enthralling “Government” a song with a Celtic folk vibe that is totally encapsulating . After more  banter with the crowd things are ramped up to full throttle with an electrifying version of Rory Gallagher ’s  rendition of “Messin’ with Kid “.  

Dom Martin has openly stated that Buried in the Hall is the only album he has ever been totally happy with and further tracks from it include “Belfast Blues” ,“Lefty Two Guns”  and “Unhinged”. The is also an intoxicating take of Willie Nelson’s “Crazy”.  

All too soon and without any pretence for an encore he announces that there is time to play one more track before the band launch into “12 Gauge” followed by a powerhouse blues rock medley that lasts for twenty minutes or more. 

Dom Martin has received numerous awards for his work and has been compared to many of the blues greats but in essence he is a unique talent in his own right. His on stage presence , mesmerising guitar work and rich vocals make him a consummate performer in any genre. 

The tour continues – Full dates here. https://www.dommart.in/tour 

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Terry Marland

I’vehad a passion for music from an early age starting with the classic rock bands of the late sixties and early seventies. A few years ago I was able to combine my love of music with my interest in photography when I started to secure press passes for bands appearing in local venues close to my home in North Wales. I also had a stint with the good people at Down the Front Media where I worked at a variety of venues across the UK.Aside from gigs I have been a match day photographer with Chester FC for eight years and you’ll find me pitch-side most Saturday afternoons during the football season.

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