Dan Reed Network sealed off their Europian tour supporting rock legends Extreme with a special show at The O2 Academy Brixon, London
Dan Reed Network, photo by Gili Dailes
Dan Reed Network was originated in Portland, Oregon in the mid 80s, and have been active until 1993 – when they disbanded.
Since their reunion in 2012, Dan Reed Network had their latest album “Fight Another Day” released and promoted on a world tour in 2016, followed by a European tour in 2017.
Tonight’s show at the O2 Academy Brixton in London was the last one for this tour supporting rock legends Extreme, sealing it on a high note and leaving long awaiting fans satisfied yet yearning for more.
Dan Reed Network, photo by Gili Dailes
Throughout the show, the band members truly gave their heart and soul – it was honest, raw, warm and energetic and we could really appreciate how they’ve managed to bring their essence, with all that 80’s aroma into the present on songs like “Champion” from the new album, sounding relevant but with a prominent experienced touch.
Between Brion James ablazing with his guitar solos, Melvin Brannon II’s slinky, funky, deep 5 string bass playing, Dan Pred’s groovy and powerful drumming and huge snare sound and Rob Daiker’s keys and samples (which brings some of the futuristic ambiance to the game), Dan Reed was exceptional:
Aside for holding the vocal front while constantly moving around and covering every possible inch of the stage, he managed to maintain great communication with the crowd and visited the pit a couple of times to give some in-person love and attention to the fans.
Being the stage veteran that he is, Dan had managed to take over two instances of tech-issues and professionally morph them into priceless opportunities, getting the crowd kindelled on a juicy unplanned bass solo on the first one, and later on – bursting into a surprise on-the-spot vocal performance of the famous Jazz(!) standard “All of me”.
Dan Reed Network, photo by Gili Dailes
Dan Reed Network, photo by Gili Dailes
Dan Reed Network, photo by Gili Dailes
Dan Reed Network, photo by Gili Dailes
Dan Reed Network, photo by Gili Dailes
Dan Reed Network, photo by Gili Dailes
Combine all this happening on stage with the spectacular sound and lighting facilities at the O2 Academy and a top-notch production behind Dan Reed Network, and the result was an absolute treat of a show, for us and clearly for all the chanting die-hard fans surrounding us.
Having the venue fully packed with such love on their last show of the tour was surely a great indicator for Dan Reed Network, and we hope it will motivate them to come back again soon.
Dan Reed Network, photo by Gili Dailes
Dan Reed Network, photo by Gili Dailes
Dan Reed Network, photo by Gili Dailes
Dan Reed Network supporting Extreme
December 20th 2017 | O2 Academy Brixton, London
Words by Nanneq
Photos by Gili Dailes