Live review: Tyla’s Dogs d’amour

“Tyla’s Dogs d’amour are a fierce live band … they look re-energised … (singing) songs which will tattoo their words and melodies on your soul and not let go”.

Tyla’s Dogs d’amour (65th Birthday Bash)
Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
9 July 2026

Billed as “40 Years of Rains … and 65 of Disgrace”, Tyla’s Dogs d’amour brought their latest tour to the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh as their second home of Bannerman’s was still undergoing repair for water damage and pre-booked dates had to be switched to alternative venues.

Located on the other side of Princes Street (tucked in behind the Cafe Royale and Guildford Arms - both fine pubs in their own right) we were on different territory and trading the Old Town for the New Town tonight; and at £10.40 for a glass of wine, I was unsure if a bed was included … sadly, it wasn’t. However, as (Spike and Tyla’s) Hot Knives would also be playing and it was no less than Tyla’s 65th birthday, we had the makings of a special (if more expensive) night with fans attending from all over the U.K. and beyond.

In the mid to late ‘80’s, and their early and chaotic days of “smoke, sniff, drink, swallow and repeat”, the Dogs d’amour carved a short, but unforgettable trail of debauchery and joy around the world. Propelled along by their founder Tyla’s unique and unrivalled love songs, tales and lullabies from the gutter, delivered through his characteristic street poetry with heart proudly worn on sleeve, few then would have imagined Tyla would still be alive, kicking and leading the latest incarnation of the Dogs 40 years later. Fewer still would have imagined how good they’re sounding. Make no mistake, Tyla’s Dogs d’amour (MMXXVI) are a fierce live band and also probably the heaviest and best I’ve heard them.

Mirroring the revolving line-up of the Hot Knives, and reflecting changing professional or personal commitments, a number of line-ups have played with Tyla over the last couple of years and sometimes you don’t know which you’ll get from gig to gig. However, the current tour which has seen them play all over the U.K., in many venues new to them, has seen the emergence of a more stable line-up which to my ear is musically the best they’ve sounded for a while.

While Tyla is still at the centre and holds everything down with his beloved Gretsch, Jamie Turnbull, the band’s Edinburgh-based producer, lover of grunge and who also played guitar on Tyla’s most recent album ‘Gilding the Lily’ has brought a new dimension to the band on guitar live. Playing his Les Paul, the sound, as you may expect, is fuller, meatier, rawer and rockier than you might expect of the Dogs and making them sound more urgent. Just as importantly, he also knows the value of a song and he avoids guitar histrionics with his playing complementing and not over-powering things. After missing a few gigs it’s great to see Matty James Cassidy back on bass with Ace Carlton emerging as their regular drummer. Individually, they’re all really good musicians, but gel brilliantly as a band. And watching them on stage, they look re-energised.

With main billing being given to the Hot Knives (which tonight would take the form of the band plus Spike), Tyla’s Dogs d’amour supported themselves and played a short celebratory set of fan favourites - ‘Last Bandit’, ‘Firework Girl’, ‘I Don’t Want You To Go’, ‘Heroine’, ‘Billy 2 Rivers’, ‘What You Do’, ‘Satellite Kid’ and ‘Drunk Like Me’.

Struck as I always am when I hear these songs, I never tire of them. They still sound fresh, never stale. They lift my mood when I’m down and life can feel too much. Songs which will tattoo their words and melodies on your soul and not let go.

If the air conditioning was working, it was completely overwhelmed by another night of really high temperatures with the bar or hallway outside the gig room providing welcome air and respite from the heat - venues in Scotland are not built for this. But what I can say is that Tyla’s Dogs d’amour sounded just as good both inside and outside the gig room.

Fighting the heat and in the spirit of the World Cup, the band took a ‘hydration break’ (possibly involving alcohol …).

Without boring you with the details, as much as I’d have loved to stay for the Hot Knives’ main set, my health hasn’t been great recently and combined with the heat, I knew when I was beat and left the gig. To anyone who knows me, not an easy choice. In doing so, missing out on Spike and Tyla playing songs from one of my favourite albums, lots of banter and a great and emotional cover of and crowd singalong to ‘It’s a Heartache‘ in memory of Bonnie Tyler who’d died overnight (you’ll find it online).

Another night of great entertainment.

Glass raised.

GMcA