Gig Review: Dylan LeBlanc - Kitchen Garden, Kings Heath, Birmingham. Monday 2nd February 2026

 

Dylan LeBlanc is an exceptional songwriter.

Words are soothly shared in a high planed tone. Tunes coaxed out of an old Martin with minimal effort. He shines a light inwards onstage. Audiences are allowed a peep, taken to the edge and won over with an impish charm. You warm to a candid unveiling and separate the deed from perverse perception. You respect an honesty and accept the rich and varied influences inform the art. Stories broaden the imagination, push convention to the limit and slip into the sublime song. 

Dylan LeBlanc is a rebel with a cause. 

This was a third appearance at the Kitchen Garden since an amazing full band debut in November 2023. Solo has been the two most recent formats, likely more cost effective and practical but a wonderful opportunity to get close up and personal. Fourteen songs and umpteen stories filled a brace of sets extracting material from Paupers Field to Coyote. He appears to like Birmingham and Birmingham absolutely likes him. 

The rebel from Louisiana 

Found fame in Alabama

Words and music saved a soul

From tumbling down a deep black hole 

An early life plagued by vice

For which was paid a heavy price

Salvation from a beat up guitar

Rescuing from the lure of the bar

Driven by the fruits of a distant seed

Fulfilling each and every need

Performing is now the happy place

Putting a smile on an impish face

Escaping alligator, resurrecting cat

All samples of irreverent chat

Lustful grandpa, lisping priest

Stories on which we all do feast

Poetic lyrics inform the song

Purring tunes and melodies strong

High planed voice permeates the air

Bonding with those who choose to care

For now a successful end to the story

With lauded praise and a snip of glory

Art has flourished despite the flaws

Forever a rebel with a definite cause.