Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS

Gig review: CARDINAL BLACK – Sub 89, Reading, 15 November 2024

P1160812 - Copy

Of all the new bands on the scene, Cardinal Black seem to be among those on the verge of a big commercial breakthrough. On this autumn tour, the London venue was at the Shepherds Bush Empire, though I couldn’t make … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – London Palladium, 13 November 2024

SUZI QUATRO- London Palladium, 13 November 2024

After too long sharing a bill on revival shows or out of the touring spotlight altogether, the last couple of years have seen the welcome return of Suzi Quatro as a headline live act, cementing her legacy as a trailblazing … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024

hrh2

Hard Rock Hell (HRH) was back for its 17th instalment “Valhalla”. Rockers from up and down the country were already here in their masses. The atmosphere was already building and I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this weekend. Thursday … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: WHEN RIVERS MEET, CHANTEL MCGREGOR, XANDER AND THE PEACE PIRATES – Dingwalls, London, 7 November 2024

WHEN RIVERS MEET, CHANTEL MCGREGOR, XANDER AND THE PEACE PIRATES- Dingwalls, London, 7 November 2024

This show, one of the occasional live spinoffs from the Blues Power shows on one of GRTR!’s fellow radio stations, ticked a lot of boxes for me. I’ve steadily been getting more into When Rivers Meet but my ambition to … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024

Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024

They may not have the same veteran status as the headliners of this show, but Reef are celebrating 30 years in the business this year. No mean feat, with founding members Gary Stringer on vocals and Jack Bessant on bass. … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: ELLES BAILEY- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 2 November 2024

ELLES BAILEY- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 2 November 2024

One of the new generations of artists that has somehow managed largely to pass me by to date is Elles Bailey. I’d seen her name on tours and festival bills and social media, but never yet managed to see her … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: DEFECTS – Key Club, Leeds, 1 November 2024

defects3

Once again I was impatiently awaiting this gig. Filled with excitement I headed off to the Key Club in Leeds. Upon arriving I found the venue was small and intimate which was a massive bonus, the Stage was raised so … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: KING KING, THESE WICKED RIVERS – Sub 89, Reading, 27 October 2024

KING KING AND THESE WICKED RIVERS- Sub 89, Reading, 27 October 2024

King King’s extensive touring schedule has included this autumn jaunt to some new places including what Alan Nimmo suggested was their first ever visit to the County town of Berkshire. With no London date, a trip on the Elizabeth line … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: FM – The Carlisle, Hastings, 17 October 2024

FM- The Carlisle, Hastings, 17 October 2024

Recently in the news, we heard how tours have shrunk and cover fewer towns and cities than they did 30 years ago. For FM the opposite seems to be the case – as well as playing the established big cities, … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE NEW ROSES- The Black Heart, Camden, London, 16 October 2024

THE NEW ROSES- The Black Heart, Camden, London, 16 October 2024

On the very same day Thomas Tuchel was announced as the English football team’s new coach, some other Anglophiles from Germany were the musical attraction. The New Roses are on an extensive UK tour as they now seem to be … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: ALICE COOPER – Hydro, Glasgow, 14 October 2024

mini_SAM_1318

Come October the mind starts to stray to thoughts of Halloween, of ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night! What better to soundtrack those dark thoughts than a night with the king of scare himself, Alice … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: FIREFEST – Manchester Academy, 11-13 October 2024

P1150948 - Copy

For a decade through to 2014, Firefest built a reputation that most festivals would kill for. It wasn’t just the stellar line ups of melodic hard rock acts, from the rising stars through to long dormant bands from the eighties … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: STEVE HACKETT – Royal Albert Hall, London, 23 October 2024

Gig review: STEVE HACKETT – Royal Albert Hall, London, 23 October 2024

Steve Hackett continues to tour relentlessly, playing to packed houses of knowledgeable and enthusiastic fans, year after year. Tonight, the venerable Royal Albert Hall was sold out and brimming with anticipation. A couple of tracks in and even the vastly … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: SCARLET REBELS- The Garage, London, 8 October 2024

SCARLET REBELS- The Garage, London, 8 October 2024

In our healthy British rock scene Scarlet Rebels are one of our shining lights. The Llanelli quartet now have two top 20 albums under their belt with the result that this extensive UK tour featured a London show at a … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: CATS IN SPACE – The Wilde Theatre, Bracknell, 16 October 2024

CATS IN SPACE- Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Bracknell, 20 July 2023

First time in the Wilde Theatre, part of the South Hill Park complex that includes a small cinema and cellar bar (where on my first visit to South Hill Park enjoyed a gig by folk duo Ninebarrow). Despite being all … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: SAMANTHA FISH – Koko, London, 6 October 2024

Gig review: SAMANTHA FISH – Koko, London, 6 October 2024_Phil Honley (5)

The splendid Koko was brimming full for the return of Samantha Fish to these shores with her own band, following last year’s shows with Jesse Dayton. And great to see the crowd that welcomed The Zac Schulze Gang’s support slot … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: APOCALYPTICA – SWG3, Glasgow, 3 October 2024

mini_SAM_1030

Many years ago I attended a guitar masterclass with the legendary singer/songwriter Gordon Giltrap. It was just one man with an acoustic guitar, but the sound and sheer ferocity of riffage he managed to extract from his poor, tortured acoustic … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: MARTIN TURNER – 100 Club, London, 3 October 2024

MARTIN TURNER- 100 Club, London, 3 October 2024

2024 has seen Wishbone Ash founder member Martin Turner tour a set based around the Live Dates Volume Two album: perhaps less heralded than its predecessor, this 1980 release shows the ‘Mark 2’ phase of the band at their finest … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: VINCENT FLATTS FINAL DRIVE – Slim Jim’s Liquor Store, Islington, London 4 October 2024

3) L-R Gary Harper, Russ Cook, Bertie

Tonight is the sort of gig that restates the true staples of rock and roll, namely the holy trinity of a great band, a welcoming venue and receptive audience. Birmingham’s Vincent Flatts Final Drive is the kind kick ass band … Continue reading

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, Photo Galleries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLUE NATION- The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 27 September 2024

BLUE NATION- The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 27 September 2024

Blue Nation are a band making a growing name for themselves. They’ve actually been around quite some while, but about 18 months ago I’d been impressed enough by their support slot with Laurence Jones to buy a CD, so the … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: DIESEL PARK WEST – The Sound Lounge, Sutton, Surrey 28 September 2024

240928_dpw2a

While it’s true to say that any band’s commercial success or durability is often tied in with the vacillations of the musical market place, there’s no denying the qualities of real song craft. And tonight’s appearance by Leicester’s Diesel Park … Continue reading

Posted in GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: NICK LOWE AND LOS STRAITJACKETS- London Palladium, 24 September 2024

NICK LOWE AND LOS STRAITJACKETS- London Palladium, 24 September 2024

Nick Lowe is one of rock’s most distinguished statesmen, with a history that includes his time in Brinsley Schwarz, seen as the original pub rockers, then a mainstay of the new wave as producer, songwriter and performer. Indeed there is … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review:TYKETTO – Islington Academy, London, 12 September 2024

P1150363 - Copy

Last year Tyketto were out on a triple co-headliner with Dare and FM which culminated here at Islington Academy. This year, on the heels of a couple of outdoor festival shows, they took top billing on another three band bill, … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: LAZARUS HEIGHTS & Ken Barrett & Friends – Le Bistrot Gourmand, Bars, SW France, 7 Sept 2024

Lazarus Heights Dick Grisdale

Every gig has a context, and this one is billed as triple anniversary show plus an album launch. There was also an ambitious plan for an outdoor gig under the stars, which was scuppered at the last minute by a … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Photo Galleries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOHNNY HATES JAZZ – Waterside, Sale, 7 September 2024

240907_jhj9

David Randall chatted to Clark Datchler for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio following an earlier interview tracing his early career with Johnny Hates Jazz.  He discusses the band, his solo career, and the 2024 tour dates.  First broadcast 14 April … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment