Gig review: HAWKWIND, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 24 August 2013

A very full and enthusiastic crowd tonight, possibly larger than usual as the band are playing the whole of their classic ‘Warrior On The Edge Of Time’ album, in sequence and recently re-issued on Cherry Red Records.

I have seen the band twice previously, at a storming gig at Keele University back in the late 1980’s, and a couple of years ago at Guilfest where they were not so impressive. Happy to report to tonight quite possibly the best gig yet I have seen by them.

Led by Dave Brock, the line-up includes the returning Dead Fred (Hawkwind band members past & present have great stage names it has to be said) on keyboards/violin/vocals who was last in the band back in the mid-80’s and Tim Blake on theremin is quite hypnotising to watch. The only other time I have seen this instrument used live is by John Otway.

Starting off with ‘The Awakening’ which was followed by ‘Master Of The Universe’, ‘Steppenwolf’ and ‘The Hills Have Ears’, before the main reason for tonight’s gig the full performance of ‘Warrior On The Edge Of Time’ got underway.

Hawkwind certainly know how to put on a show, from the undoubted musical prowess of the band through to the spectacular visual light and picture show going on at the back of the band.

Plus you have two dancers doing some bizarre am dram at the front of the stage! The ‘Master Of The Universe’ album is a real fantasy fiction meets space rock treat, aided by the lyrical input of SF/fantasy author Michael Moorcock (do read his Elric novels well worth your time).

‘Standing At The Edge’ and ‘Kings Of Speed’ were highlights for me and the crowd were loving the show put on by the band. Special mention to drummer Richard Chadwick, who drives the music along nicely, never taking over the songs and an integral part of the band’s sound.

Two encores, the first ‘Motorhead’ dedicated to former member Lemmy who is currently recovering from illness. To say the crowd went wild would be an underestimation and one of the blokes next to me was in space rock dad dancing heaven! ‘You’d Better Believe It’ rounded off a fine night of music and one which saw the band on good form.

Hawkwind may not grace your music collection much or you may only know ‘Silver Machine’, either way they are one of those bands you really need to see live and on their day, like tonight, prove why they have endured so long and retained such a large and loyal fan base.

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
RIOGHAN Hands (Inverse Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)