I’ve sat on this review for a week, trying to find the words- the right words to convey what it truly felt like seeing the three members of The Alarm on a stage on their own terms, playing songs that shaped my musical landscape for the past forty-plus years. When these dates were announced I just had to go to both nights partly due to FOMO and partly because I wanted to be there because I love hearing the music these guys make together regardless of whats gone on over the past few decades and the silly social media infighting he said she said which side are you on nonsense because deep down some of us care about both sides and above all love the music that those – our four lads who shook the world made so it was off to the big smke we went.

We’ve seen Alarm 2.0 several times, from the early knockings when Craig played some shows (and we thoroughly enjoyed the night in Birmingham) right up to as recently as last weekend when they did a few shows in South Wales. No Craig, but still a most enjoyable night with Eddie on vocals. So tonight we sort of knew what to expect from the opening act, who didn’t disappoint with a great set, especially the early songs pre and off ‘Declaration’ say what you like but Smileys smile and Eddies enthusiasm is infectious and God bless em their efforts are much appreciated and their respect for the songs shines through and anyone who doesn’t enjoy their set should have a word with themselves. People seemed up for it and sang along with every word. The energy was along the lines of early Alarm performances it was raw and infectious, and mistakes were made lyrics missed but that’s rock n roll, isn’t it? It was great to see James and Smiley playing a part in the evening because they contributed greatly to keeping the name alive and absolutely should have played a part, and for an opening act this was pretty bloody good stuff. ‘Knifedge’, ‘Absolute Reality’, ‘We Are The Light’ and ‘Deeside’ were spot on, and it wasn’t like the venue needed warming up, but this was pretty good.

Next up was Dave Sharp and The Barnstormers, who are a seven-piece ensemble playing mostly other people’s music and doing it with a twist (no pun intended). Sharp looked well, and the band complemented him well as he did his Americana versions of some pretty big tunes that clearly mean a lot to the man. ‘Hard Rain’ and ‘Jungle’ sounded great, but it was the rework of ‘Last Smilin Villain’ that impressed the most. Damn, how I love that ‘Hard Travellin’ album how it never got a vinyl pressing is criminal. I think having the band back for these interpretations really worked, and it was a side of Dave maybe some had never witnessed, and it went down really well in the room.

Onto the main course, and with an open mind, of course, there was an elephant in the room: what was this Rob fella going to be like? But any concerns evaporated in the Garage heat within the first few verses of the set opener, ‘Newtown Jerico’. There was a huge expectation on the young man’s shoulders, and he took to the task at hand with class and enthusiasm and absolutely delivered the goods. He didn’t try to copy Mike, nor did he try to fill his shoes; he just went on with his job and delivered a pretty faultless interpretation of the songs we all love and cherish. The fella can sing, but he didn’t try to copy; he just delivered the vocals for the song and hit the notes in his own style, which was exactly as it should be, and he must have felt the room was 100% behind him and fully appreciated the job he was doing.

The band he had backing him were pretty amazing to be fair and any fears for what might have sounded rusty or a bit lame never reared its ugly head these guy sounded like they were halfway through a 100 dat eworld tour (ok so there were a few tightness issues and a few missed chord changes here and there and the odd bum note) but hey, this is rock n roll and I had th efeeling people were also living in the moment and enjoyign it for what it was, three qyuarters of a band we all took to our hearts and loved like they were the best band in the world and for two nights we lived that dream, sure I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss Mike (I’m sure everyone in that room band inclueded didn’t also miss him and wished things could have been different) but this was about celebrating the music and it looked like everyone was on th esame page and magic was in the air and it was definatly something you could almost feel.

To be fair, I didn’t really have any expectations, nor did I give any type of setlist a second thought I just wanted to enjoy the evening and remember what made this band so special. I loved that it wasn’t the greatest hits, and songs like ‘Hardland’, ‘Permanence In Change’, and an exceptional ‘Devolution Working Man’s Blues’ fell off the Sharpie fretboard early doors, and it was great to see the chemistry between the guys was evident, and their enjoyment was there for all to see.

There was an edge to the sound, and the riffs were loose, but that was part of the magic that was factored in ‘Shelter’ was played with drive and passion and trying a duo version of ‘ Third Light’ between Eddie and Dave was worth a go it’s a great song, even reworked. By the time the band struck up ’68 Guns’, the place was rocking, and hearing the audience sing loud and proud was a real goosebump feeling, and I’m sure the band felt that back from the audience. Another thing that gave me goosebumps was hearing Twist play the drum lick on ‘Rain In The Summertime’ without any tapes or clicks, and when Dave joined with his drenched licks, it was a real moment. To be fair, Rob sang it really well, hitting every note perfectly, but I wouldn’t have doubted him after his delivery thus far into the evening.

The lyrics to ‘Spirit’ hit hard, and not for the first time this evening I thought about their fallen brother, a huge hole in my music journey that will never be forgotten, and as I looked at Eddie, I think he must have been having similar thoughts during the song, as he has when I’ve seen him sing it previously. Awesome.

As we headed towards the end of the first night, it was a full, bloodied ‘Sold Me Down the River’ that saw a decent duel between Rob and Dave before they encored with a ripping version of ‘Rocking In The Free World’, taking their much-deserved bow, we sauntered into the warm London night air beaming with the knowledge that the remaining Alarm had absolutely delivered the good and paid tribute to the bands legacy with a stonking performance that I was delighted to have witnessed. See you tomorrow.

Sunday.

With Smiley hotfooting it off to Dublin to play with Geldof and his Rats in some stadium with Bon Jovi, it was left for some Nigel bloke to fill his drum stool for the 2.0 set tonight, and to be fair, it was more of the same from the previous night, with a loose set that was thoroughly enjoyable and played with the spirit of Early Alarm all be it more relaxed knowing that the first night went so well. The same can be said for Dave Sharp and The Barnstormers it was more relaxed and a slightly longer set, but again thoroughly enjoyable, reminding me of Chuck Prophet and Dan Baird and what they do after Green On Red and taking the spirit of the Bob Dylan Rolling Review. Did I mention the version of ‘Last Smilin Villain’? Well, again, it was top of the shop in this set, with a special mention to the band Dave has assembled, who handled the songs really well with a fine touch, often reminding me of a certain Mr Strummer. I look forward to hearing the record, Mr Sharp. Bravo.

There’s no point in me going over what was a very similar set, with a few notable exceptions that made a difference to the second night mainly. That night two, we were treated to the epic (Mike’s Favourite Alarm Song) ‘One Step Closer To Home’, which was emotional, to say the least and was dropped in the set, replacing ‘Third Light’, which was, if my memory serves me well, the only change but one that was much appreciated and sounded awesome.

Maybe the band played more relaxed on the second night I’m not really sure. It was again terrific to hear the songs played again, and Rob once again did justice to the vocals and also paid tribute to the songs and the band, which sounded heartfelt and humble and was much appreciated and really genuine now my parting thoughts are these, this was a great idea and one that worked really well, there were no egos on display and people seemed genuinely happy to be there and the sound from the audience was everything I hoped it would be the bands did themselves and the name of the Alarm proud and I’d be well up for doing this again next year with a few songs added if I may be so bold. I bloody love The Alarm I do. Wrapping on the chocolate bar, my arse, these boys had the chops then and still have them today. Long live The Alarm and as Mikey Boy sang, the 68 Guns will never die. Amen to that!

Author: Dom Daley