Setlist (Bobbie Dazzle): Flowers On Mars. Revolution, Merry Go Round, April Showers, Back To The City, Lady On Fire, It’s Electric, Antique Time Machine, Watch Out, Lightning Fantasy
It’s been a triumphant 2025 for Sian Greenaway’s Glam Rock fuelled Bobbie Dazzle project. Her mission to bring fun and smiles to everyone has seen them become a must-see live act and support the likes of Alice Cooper and The Sweet, so it was a golden opportunity to see them up close and personal in the Giffard Arms.
But first up were local support band BLDSUGR! who were simply startling. Only a three piece, but they make an unholy sound taking in shock rock, doom and punk – for me they are a collision between Black Sabbath and Siouxsie & The Banshees. Vocalist Lolly Hayes is mesmerising, commanding the stage with a winning mix of a bubbly personality and scary glances. Her voice is just great and boy can she scream! Leigh Evans’ riffs and licks were exceptionally strong and he even slipped in a Sabbath nod or two for those listening closely.
Song-wise it was an eclectic and always interesting set, especially when they slowed it down a notch or two and Lolly got to express in a more leisurely style. Their latest EP Swarm was featured along with the ace single Carmilla. I think we will be hearing a lot more from BLDSUGR!
Bobbie Dazzle opened with Flowers On Mars (which was their debut single) with Sian a vision in red, as you would expect at Christmas. Right away this was a crowd singalong and it remained that way all set. The crowd passion fed the band who were on fire. It was my third time seeing them and they are an immensely tight well-drilled outfit. This was clear on Revolution which rocked and rolled hard and as usual hit extra high-spot the audience love with the ‘Glitter’ breakdown.
The set focussed on their terrific Fandabidozi album with nine of the ten tracks getting an outing plus the B-side to recent single Spotlight – a cover of Abba’s Watch Out complete with a stinging guitar part from Ash Baker. Ash was immense – I have seen so so many great rock players over my decades and for me he is right up there with any of them for sheer musicality and entertainment. The guy is phenomenal. His obvious joy when he hits the Quo rhythm in the breakdown of Lightning Fantasy was a delight.
As great as the band is, and they must be a hard band for anyone to follow, it’s Sian’s show. ‘I am Bobbie Dazzle!’ she proudly proclaims at the top of the show and she really is, she takes on and delivers the persona with complete assurance. She is a terrific vocalist and an engaging performer and the good news is that there is much more to come from the band with work already started on a new album. We all need some sparkle and glitter in these dark times and I would urge you to check out Bobbie Dazzle, who, if there is any justice, are on course for bigger things.
And one final tease – the Christmas Special was going to feature them playing Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day. They ran through it at the soundcheck but decided it wasn’t quite tight enough for the show.
