Tyketto are back in the UK slaying audiences with one of the most powerful, passionate and polished shows on the melodic rock circuit. Here’s why there’s never been a better time to get behind the ageless Danny Vaughan.
Closer To The Sun is closest to the classics
Chart-topping ‘comeback’ album Closer To The Sun sees a revamped and refreshed Tyketto leaning heavily towards 1991’s legendary debut Don’t Come Easy. And why the hell not? When Danny Vaughn’s new band burst onto the scene at the tail end of the hair metal era it was immediately obvious this band out of time had talent to burn. And the red hot Closer To The Sun is a scorching throwback to those brief but brilliant glory days. Little wonder no fewer than five tracks culled from that remarkable record — including a bold cover of Roxette’s Harleys And Indians (Riders In The Sky) pepper the current set. Closer To The Sun’s best live cuts are close to perfection.
Danny Boy: Forever Young?
Were it not for that sparkling silver mane it would be easy to imagine Danny Vaughn had jumped in a time machine and rocked all the way back to the Sunset Strip circa 1992. Those honey-tongued vocals, the wild rock star poses and that boundless enthusiasm is more akin to a bloke half his age — even if the veteran frontman admitted to filling in time to catch his breath two thirds of the way through a spellbinding set. Vaughn is no spring chicken and yet this must-see run of April 2026 UK headline gigs reveal a master of his craft who’s lost none of the zeal — or appeal — that made Don’t Come Easy an instant classic 35 years ago.
New boys recapture the old magic
There’s no doubt Tyketto’s original line-up boasted a unique sense of camaraderie and creativity and the 2023 departure of co-founder and drummer Michael Clayton hit Vaughn hard. Throw in long-serving guitarist Chris Green’s decision to call time on his Tyketto career in the same year and it was time to regroup and refocus. In came drumming royalty Johnny Dee and new kid on the block Harry Scott Elliott — three years, plenty of shows and a brand new album down the line this is a band reborn. Britny Fox, Doro and Waysted alumnus Dee is performing at his destructive best behind the Tyketto kit and Scott Elliott’s like Nuno reborn!
Strength In Numbers
Tyketto’s fans have always been a loyal lot. Holding a flame for the band through the dark days of the late 90s and noughties was far from easy but Vaughn’s biggest supporters always believed he’d be back — stronger than ever. And if 2012’s Dig In Deep is overlooked on the current tour then that album evidenced melodic rock royalty with much, much more to come. Tyketto’s fan base have been rewarded with two bona fide, back-to-back bangers in the last decade and, 35 years after the New Yorkers first burst onto the scene, those early devotees have never deserted Danny and co. That they’re now joined by a new breed of equally fervent followers is testament to this enduring band’s remarkable consistency and reassuring bouncebackability.
Keeping the melodic rock flag flying
If main support Warrior Soul were the wackiest pick ever for the Closer To The Sun UK tour (Kory Clarke was his usual bundle of edgy energy but the majority of Tyketto die-hards were utterly non-plussed by the politically charged alt rockers) then fast-rising Brits Collateral fitted the bill like a fingerless leather glove. The Rushonrock-approved 80s throwbacks just keep on getting better but who knows when a major label will finally take a punt on the Kent crew’s arena-ready anthems? If Warrior Soul were a bizarre misstep then warming up the crowd with Angelo Tristan’s brand of Bon Jovi-meets-Winger brothers was a masterstroke. Well played Tyketto for giving melodic rock’s hungry new breed the platform it deserves.
Images courtesy of Gordon Armstrong at G’s Gig Shots