Tyla (and MATTY) Ten Café Bar, Forfar

Over the years, I’ve been to what I thought were 'intimate gigs', from ‪Bruce Springsteen‬ playing the Edinburgh Playhouse at the height of his stadium success to a host of top-quality rock acts including ‪The Quireboys‬ and Little Caesar playing Bannerman’s. But tonight, Tyla and Ten Bar re-defined the concept of what an intimate gig is and delivered a night I and others won’t forget.

Playing to a capacity, in the know, audience of around 60, Tyla was amongst friends tonight to launch his latest enterprise – King Outlaw Wines (a joint venture with Ten Bar’s owner Alan featuring a specially sourced white and red wine from Italy). Tickets to this special launch party included wine sampling with two glasses of wine per ticket. For the casual observer, while this may seem many miles from the Dogs D’Amour’s debauched past, anyone who has followed Tyla’s career will know how much of a constant wine has been throughout, so it should be of no surprise to anyone, anywhere, that he is now selling his own … particularly given how quickly ‘Bottle of Red’ has worked it’s way into fans’ hearts and the live set after the release of ‘In Vino Veritas’ last year (yet another wine reference, if any was required).

Making our way up the spiral staircase, it soon become apparent just how ‘up close and personal’ this gig was going to be. Two seats faced the room, with barely walking space between them and the front row of only four or five rows of seats, a smallish standing area behind and a bar at the back of the room.

Taking to the stage (well, seats) shortly before ‪8.30pm‬, Tyla was in good form – possibly as the dressing room in Ten Bar also doubles as the stock room with it’s expanding (and now probably depleted) range of exotic bottles of gin. Accompanied by Matty on bass, and also as the foil for Tyla’s banter which was served up by the bucket load, those crowded into the upstairs of Ten Bar were treated to an acoustic set of classics old and new – ‘I Think It’s Love Again’, ‘Comfort of the Devil, ‘Billy Two Rivers’ ‘Heroine’, ‘111’, ‘I Don’t Love Anyone (the way I love you)’ (inspired by and sung directly to his partner sitting in the second row), ‘Drunk Like Me’, ‘I Don’t Want You To Go’, ‘How Come It Never Rains’, ‘Satellite Kid’, ‘Errol Flynn’ and the appropriate set closer ‘Bottle of Red’.

When you hear a condensed set of this nature you are reminded forcefully of just how good these songs actually are. With songs from ‘In the Dynamite Jet Saloon’ and ‘A Graveyard of Empty Bottles’ both having celebrated their 30-year anniversaries, these are now vintage songs, but which sound every bit as good and fresh as when they were released. Visual story-telling, emotions proudly worn on their sleeves and with delicious, infectious melodies written to be sung along with, with a glass in hand … they have them all.

Later on in the evening, stragglers had the added opportunity to talk to Tyla at the merchandise stand and bar, while Matty played an impromptu song or two for us on acoustic guitar in the downstairs bar.

And as for Ten Bar, what can I say, but it is a rock’n’roll gem. We’ve all got our favourite rock bars from Solid Rock and Bannerman’s to The Waterloo, but Ten Bar took me by surprise. Hidden in the Angus countryside, and with leopardskin seats, it’s walls are adorned by 7-inch single covers, providing a who’s who of all that was best in ‘80’s punk. It is the only pub in Scotland to have ‪Motorhead‬ Road Crew American Pale Ale on tap (worth the trip alone), and has hosted a range of live acts in recent years including Tyla (this was his third visit), ‪The Quireboys‬ started their winter acoustic tour here last year, ‪Glen Matlock‬ (from the Sex Pistols), The Skids and even ‪Sylvain Sylvain‬ from the ‪New York Dolls‬. And for those who like their rock’n’roll tourism, Ten Bar is only a 10-15 drive from ‪Bon Scott‬’s statue in Kirriemuir. Side-stepping local arguments as to if he actually came from Kirriemuir or Forfar (that’s another matter), the visit had to be made. And it was. Respect paid.

And as for the wine? Much smoother and better quality than the supermarket plonk which I am accustomed to and a great accompaniment to another special night of musical entertainment. With Christmas just around the corner, get over to the Tavern and order yourself or your loved one a bottle or two, or more … you won’t regret it.

King Outlaw Wines can be ordered from www.tylasarttavern.com or bought at the merchandise stand at upcoming gigs.

Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour will be playing a few gigs before Christmas. Great music, good banter and a chance to speak to the man himself. Go on, you know you want to.

Live dates:

‪20 Dec 2019 – Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour - Nightrain, Bradford‬
‪21 Dec 2019 – Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour - Jack O’Byte Bluesy Album Launch: Bannerman’s, Edinburgh (including wine tasting)‬
‪22 Dec 2019 – Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour - Audio, Glasgow