The Lemonheads Live at the Sheffield Foundary by Rob Johnson
Since the arse fell out of the record industry and money has become more scarce, bands and solo artists at all levels have become more stage managed than ever. We live in a world now where even indie guitar music, once the preserve of the working class, is now dominated by privately-educated, risk-averse bands working at the behest of their record label. It’s rare in 2025 to come across something that feels truly real. Step forward, Evan Dando and The Lemonheads…
Celebrating 30 years of their seminal sixth studio album Come on Feel the Lemonheads, the Boston band, now a three piece, take to the stage with typically little fanfare and rip straight into ‘The Great Big No’. Dando has a reputation for being difficult and somewhat eccentric, but it is clear from the off here that he is up for this one. He tears through the tracks from Come on Feel at supersonic speed, but this fast pace comes more from the energy he is getting back from the crowd rather than any desire to rush through it. ‘Into Your Arms’ sounds as vital as ever, ‘Down About It’ is especially prescient in these troubled times and ‘Big Gay Heart’ serves as a timely reminder of how playful Dando can be when he’s not brooding.
My one gripe from this section of the show is the decision to play the slowed down version of ‘Style’ and a ridiculously sped up rendition of ‘Being Around’ – something that takes an already short song into a sub 60 second, frantic mess. But it is these peccadilloes that make Dando such a compelling performer. At one point he launches into an incoherent rant about mining or some other such nonsense, but its endearing rather than indulgent, and you can feel the crowd willing him on. Likewise, when Dando messes up a couple of songs and has to start over, it only adds to the authentic DIY feel of a gig that never feels like anything less than a proper ‘show’. And I can’t stress enough that when Dando and his band are good (as on ‘It’s About Time’ and ‘Paid to Smile’), they are really good.
The backing band leave the stage briefly to allow Dando to knock out a few acoustic covers. ‘Landslide’ (originally by Fleetwood Mac) is gorgeous, ‘Outdoor Type’ now feels like a Lemonheads original rather than a Smudge cover, and ‘Frank Mills’, a song from the musical Hair, sees the crowd singing along in unison. It’s a moment.
With Come on Feel… dispensed with, the band return for a final frenzy of sunshine rock ‘n’ roll that takes in ‘In the Margin’, a rapturously received ‘It’s a Shame About Ray’, and an always pertinent rendition of ‘My Drug Buddy’ – a song that has taken on a new meaning following Dando’s widely publicised struggles with heroin. It’s all great stuff and there is a real feeling that the singer is having a blast along with the crowd. ‘If I Could Talk I’d Tell You’ brings the curtain down on a career-spanning, 25-song set and everyone in attendance is thrilled that they have been treated to this version of Evan Dando.
With a new album due out this autumn, it seems there is plenty of life in the old dog yet. The Lemonheads have earned their status as one of America’s finest alternative rock bands and it’s an honour to see such a captivating and incendiary frontman on top form and in such an intimate venue.
When life gives you lemons, go see The Lemonheads…
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