Jared James Nichols + Bobbie Dazzle + The Fever Dreams - The 1865 Southampton Wednesday 26th November 2025

Joking that some of the group travelled as far as 150 yards for their opening slot, Southampton’s own The Fever Dreams don’t waste the opportunity, treating us to a surprisingly diverse and engaging set. Though initially favouring foot-stomping hard rockers with the kind of no-nonsense riffs that AC/DC made into an art, ‘It’s Alright’ wanders into laid-back, almost countrified territory and highlights the impressive harmonies that spill over into a bouncy cover of ‘Take Your Mama’ (yes, the Scissor Sisters one!). ‘Blink of an Eye’ rushes along like a stream of consciousness, somewhat reminiscent of Tom Petty with its jangling guitars. A five-some seemingly bursting with ideas and rich with talent, The Fever Dreams deserve recognition beyond their home city. 

Fixing us with her intense, wide-eyed stare, Bobbie Dazzle makes her Southampton debut, heading up the glam rock revival we didn’t realise we needed. Fronting her aptly named ‘Dazzle Band’, the group has a strikingly retro aesthetic, flared trousers and flat caps in force, Dazzle herself rocking a snake print catsuit. Affectionately referring to her own music as “ridiculous but fun”, there’s truth to that, but it possibly undersells her knack for a catchy tune. If there’s a way to get ‘Flowers From Mars’ or ‘Back to the City’ out of your head, I’m yet to discover it. ‘Merry Go Round’ reinforces my view that the flute is a seriously under-utilised instrument in rock music and the doubling of the guitar riff with keyboard on ‘Lady On Fire’ is equally pleasing. Obscure ABBA cover ‘Watch Out’ blends in so seamlessly that you could be forgiven for mistaking it as one of Dazzle’s own if she kept quiet about its origin; The slinky guitar riff is heavier than you’d imagine, and the ‘ooo la la las’ are irresistibly upbeat. The set concludes with ‘Lightning Fantasy’, a song with lyrics that Dazzle uncovered after her father’s passing and ‘plagiarised’! A man apparently just as in love with glam rock as his daughter, you suspect he’d be very proud. As Dazzle herself puts it, “The lady’s on fire, let her inspire you”. 

In an age where iconic guitarists generally feel like a thing of the past, Jared James Nichols deserves to be regarded as the modern equivalent. A musclebound, mountain of a man who towers at more than 6 feet tall, his leonine locks and increasingly tattooed arms (he’s just had a new one backstage!) give him the look of someone who’d make great poster material and his command of the guitar is something to behold. Blessed with enviable charisma, flashing his bright smile freely, there’s an effortlessness to his playing, a sense that it’s all instinct. 

It’s the first night of the UK tour, and Nichols’ first time in Southampton as a headliner. And from the moment the wild squall of ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ comes blazing through the amplifiers, it’s clear that he means business. His is a difficult sound to describe, undoubtedly rooted in the blues but, as Nichols himself so eloquently puts it, with “more bollocks”. Fronting a power trio (with emphasis on the power) completed by bassist Brian Weaver and drummer Ryan Rice, Nichols’ magnetic presence means that it’s almost easy to overlook the rhythm section. Of course, Jared doesn’t allow that to happen, frequently drawing our attention to their formidable prowess, and permitting them moments to shine, first during an extended ‘Threw Me To The Wolves’. 

There’s nothing flashy here in terms of presentation, no stage show or elaborate lights, and yet it’s still utterly compelling. Nichols notably favours a stripped back guitar set up - minimal pedals, and definitely no plectrums! Perhaps that’s how he’s able to tease delicate beauty from ‘Nails in the Coffin’ or deliver the wailing ‘Good Time Girl’ with such feeling. The latter sees him get up close with the front row, to the delight of all. 

‘Honey Forgive Me’ is as close as the band get to funk, Weaver’s baseline grooving nicely throughout an expansive rendition that temporarily veers off into a fun selection of riffs, Nichols taking on everything from ‘Smoke on the Water’ to ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’! ‘Baby Can You Feel It’ is a spirited throwback to Nichols’ blues beginnings, with an opportunity for audience participation, as we shout the chorus back at him.  

Latest single ‘Ghost’ is an absolute monster live, and sees Nichols edging ever closer to that killer song that the show builds towards. As it stands, the set concludes with a turbo-charged version of ‘War Pigs’, and though nobody is ever going to be disappointed by it, I can’t help but feel Nichols deserves a set closer all of his own. 

An unmatchable guitarist and a truly lovely guy, who takes the time to talk to everyone after the show, I’ve never known Jared James Nichols to disappoint. There’s still plenty of opportunities to catch him before he heads home to the USA. Check out the remaining tour dates here: