We are in Sheffield for an Easter weekend instalment of The Dream Machine Festival. Once more the line up is impressive and every band lives up to our expectations but I have travelled from the capital to catch up with one act in particular, one group I have been waiting to see for a long time. 
I just don’t know what to expect however on the strength of their debut album I have a feeling that they couldn’t disappoint even if they tried.

They’re on, sometimes between Sweet Jane and fellow Californians headliners Sky Parade.
It’s now time for them to take to their instruments and here he is, the Jimi Hendrix of tambourine players, as I like to call him, Joel Gion who with fellow band mates Jefferson Parker, drummer KC Kozak, Nick Marcantonio on bass, and newest recruit, guitarist Nick Russo are collectively known as The Dilettantes.

This is the second date of their first UK tour and it feels pretty special with just a smidgen of familiarity:  Joel, centre stage, small round wooden percussion implement in hand.

They open with delicious “ Marzipan ” and “ Subterranean Bazaar “ lifted from aforementioned debut ,‘ 101 Tambourines ‘, an obvious homage to Joel’s instrument of choice.

Tonight we will be introduced to many new numbers, starting with “ Violet Upland “ with guitarist  song writer Jefferson on singing duties.
“ Roman Roadrunner “ and “ Go Off “  quickly follow and fit to perfection between already released tracks like classic “ Brightly Lit New Dark Ages “, [one of those songs that quickly becomes a favourite friend and stays with you for days on end], and “ Don’t You Ever Fall “.

Obviously excited to be here the guys are on top form and all smiles.
This is not your usual live noise where missed beats or misplaced lyrics go unnoticed, this is textbook perfection with an impressive faithfulness to the studio recorded version.
Every note and every word seem to be where they should be and somehow it’s as balletic as a live rock act can be.

Mr Gion is cool as cucumber no doubt enjoying the warm welcome from the captivated audience including sheffield native Alex Turner, from Arctic Monkeys, girlfriend Alexa Chung and members of Be Your Own Pet, probably on a night off from their own UK tour.

Banter between songs is kept to a minimum and there is no heckling as we’re all here to enjoy the music, a clean sounding garage psychedelic mix.
“ Like Crazy “, “ The Whole World “, “ What Were You Thinking ? “ and the guys leave the stage.

Ten songs already and it’s all gone so fast but we’re not ready yet to say good-bye so The Dilettantes are back with a well chosen nudge to their influences with a cover of 60s band Love,  " My Flash On You ".

One more, album opener “ Ready To Go “  fittingly ends tonight’s set and we know now that it’s over.

It may be snowing outside but we’ve just been hit by a swirly ray of San Franciscan sunshine and it feels good.

The following Saturday The Dilettantes are playing Club Psychodalhia in London and many agree that they were even better that the previous week, proving that such a good performance wasn’t a fluke.

Can’t wait for album number two and their next visit to Blighty.
Right on as Joel would say!

Words: Florence ACHERY

www.myspace.com/thedilettantes