MUSICAL THEATRE REVIEW - SIMPLY DYLAN THE ATKINSON THEATRE, SOUTHPORT

Simply Dylan is a celebration of the rich and diverse work of Bob Dylan. The band proclaims compellingly in all their publicity that Simply Dylan is ‘A Tribute to Bob Dylan, Not A Bob Dylan Tribute’ and perform Dylan’s wide extensive array of musical compositions, much to the delight of Dylan’s many fans.

The band comprises of six members, lead singer, John O'Connell - vocals. acoustic guitar, harmonica and banjo, Kath Ord – violin, viola and saxophone, Helen Seymour – bass guitar, Treva Goldup - acoustic and lead guitar, mandolin and harmonica, Phil Larkin – keyboards and Martin Douglas – drums. Lead singer, John is a former member of Liverpool group, Groundpig, who played at many Irish bars across Liverpool, such as Flannigan‘s, Rosie O‘Gradys, Guinans and Kitty O'Shays.

Simply Dylan started as a modest project recognising Dylan's 70th Birthday in 2011 when the band played at a sell-out gig at the Cavern Club 6 times; since then they have found fame and received fantastic reviews from the Spanish Press, to impressing Dylan fans from across the UK on their Tours with SJM Concerts, to opening up the IOW Festival 2019, performing on the Big Top Stage. They will be playing at the Costa Festival, Ibiza, 25 April - 1 May 2025.

The difference with this tribute is that lead singer, John doesn’t try to replicate Dylan’s voice, mannerisms or characteristics, thus enhancing their logo which states, it isn’t a tribute band, but a tribute to Dylan. John is constantly in touch vocally with the audience and interacts with stories, personal disclosures and pleasant repartee throughout the performance, encouraging audience participation.

The band played a selection of Dylan’s well-known songs with a few lesser known album tracks to the audience’s delight.  It was a full house and many of the audience members seemed to know the band well will lots of friendly inuendo being shouted out at John whilst he introduced many of the songs.

John played some solo acoustic numbers plus duets with Ord as well as playing with the full members of the band. The set was simple and well-suited for the performance with a large backdrop with the band’s name and logo. Supporting band members did a grand job on guitars, harmonica, banjo, violin, saxophone, mandolin, keyboards and drums.

This was a very enjoyable evening, and it was well-received by the enthusiastic Simply Dylan fans. Simply Dylan – Simply Superb!

The band are playing various UK gigs, https://www.simplydylan.com/gigs-1.html

They play on Bob Dylan's birthday, on 24th May 2025 at The Citadel Theatre, https://www.seetickets.com/.../simply.../the-citadel/3228022

Reviewer – Anne Horne

On – 24042025