Dexters at Liverpool Calling 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

If the day needed just that little more encouragement to get in tune with the occasion and the season’s demands, then the appearance of the highly rated Dexters at this year’s Liverpool Calling was enough to make the sun finally smash away at the clouds that had threatened at times to spoil the sanguine nature of the day. This allowed it to pop its loving caress over the iconic turrets of St. Luke’s and give the audience the resolution to keep enjoying the flavour and texture of sound that Dexters supply.

It was always going to be a tough ask of anyone to follow The Jackobins on the type of form they were ominously looking at performing for the Liverpool crowd. Dexters though certainly had the conviction and courage of a great set of songs in which the crowd took full advantage of and in which the orderly advancement of feet towards the edge of the stage finally made itself truly at home.

The history of Liverpool Calling demands that a band such as Dexters makes an appearance, that the sheer strength of volume that the likes of Liverpool’s The Mono L.P.s make such great ease of in such a venue, be replicated and enjoyed to its fullest possible outcome. Dexters were that band for 2015 and following on from the impressive outing of The Jackobins, the group cradled the energy and musical knowledge of the crowd and returned it with promise of greatness and excellent lyrical foundation and a beat that drove the senses crazy.

The early evening sun beat down into the depth of the corners that had been tainted by shadows for the best part of the day and as songs such as Recover, Braggarts, Can’t Sleep and Oceans rained down like sweet smelling, freshly cut roses onto a deep and vast lake. The music occupied the rest of the space in between and it was a sight and taste of music ability that gladdened the heart and asked nothing but loyalty in return.

For Liverpool Calling to host such a band was an inspired move and one that greatly impressed the initiated and the curious alike. A class act of Rock supremacy.

Ian D. Hall