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Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS
Gig review: MAYHEM ROCK FESTIVAL- The Nest, Nottingham, 16 May 2026

The Mayhem Festival aims to bring the best of what might be described as the Swedish glam metal scene- ranging from sleaze to melodic rock- to these shores. After a trio of shows last year with a triple headline of … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Confess, Dave Dalone, Eclipse, Erik Martensson, Erik Modin, festival, gig, glam rock, H.E.A.T., Jimmy Jay, Joey Draper, John Elliot, Jona Tee, Kenny Leckremo, Magnus Henriksen, Mayhem, melodic roick, sleazze rock, Smoking Snakes, South Of Salem, Suicide Bombers, Sweden, Toxic Rose, Trench Dogs, Wasted Wizards
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Gig Review: MOONLIGHT – THE PHILIP LYNOTT ENIGMA – Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow 20 May 2026

Phil Lynott was a larger than life character who wore his heart on his sleeve and became one of rock’s most iconic frontmen. Part rockstar, part poet, his songs and lyrics have touch many throughout his career. This show is … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview
Tagged Dancing In The Moonlight, Enigma, Eric Bell, gig, interview, live, Moonlight, Pavilion Theatre, Peter M Smith, Philip Lynott, radio, review, Thin Lizzy
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Gig review: CHRISTOPHER CROSS – Bristol Beacon, 20 May 2026

For some Christopher Cross represents a moment in time, basically 1980, when his debut solo album was a major success. He went on to win five Grammys a year later and his career was established. Of course, since that time, … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 20 May 2026, AOR, Bristol Beacon, Chris Difford, Christopher Cross, classic rock, gig, melodic rock, review, Squeeze
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Gig review: CASSIDY PARIS – The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 14 May 2026

A lot has happened to young Australian rocker Cassidy Paris in the 21 months since she was last at this venue. Last spring, days after I saw her supporting Harem Scarem, a UK tour suddenly collapsed amid distressing personal circumstances. … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Adam Payne, Cassidy Paris, gig, melodic rock, Pete Newdeck, Powell Payne, Steve Janevski, The Cavern
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Gig review: LUKE JAMES WILLIAMS – Wax and Beans, Bury, 15 May 2026

This is the second time I’ve been to this venue, and I would highly recommend it for anybody in the Bury/Rochdale/Heywood area. Get to see an artist in an intimate setting whilst drinking coffee or alcohol. The first time was … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 15 May 2026, Bury, Col Anderson, gig, indie, Limes Hotel, Luke James Williams, melodic, poet, review, singer songwriter, Wax and Beans
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Gig review: COLIN BLUNSTONE – The Sub Rooms, Stroud, 14 May 2026

Colin Blunstone represents that rare and sadly dying breed of consummate performer, with six decades of trial and tribulation in the music industry. A real trooper. As Colin recounted tonight his period of chart activity with The Zombies was short … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 14 May 2026, classic rock, Colin Blunstone, gig, review, singer songwriter, Stroud, The Sub Rooms, The Zombies
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Gig review: WILL WILDE – Thames Side Brewery, Staines-upon-Thames, 3 May 2026

Blues rock is a genre that rewards individual virtuosity, but 95 per cent of the time the star is a guitar hero. So Will Wilde stands out from the crowd with his chosen instrument being the harmonica. I’d been very … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Ben Maxwell, blues, blues rock, gig, harmonica, Mat Day, Russell Carr, Steve Rushton, Thames Side Brewery, Will Wilde
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Gig review: CATS IN SPACE- Half Moon, Putney, London, 26 April 2026

In January 2016, having just released an album in ‘Too Many Gods’ and begun to attract attention for its seventies inspired, yet original, songwriting, Cats In Space made their live debut at the Half Moon at Putney, which I was … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged acoustic, Andy Stewart, Cats In Space, Damien Edwards, gig, Greg Hart, melodic rock, Steevi Bacon
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Gig review: LIGHTNING THREADS – The Half Moon, Putney, 3 May 2026

The recently refurbished Half Moon welcomed a Sheffield based double header over the bank holiday weekend with headliners, Lightning Threads, backed up by The Fargo Railroad Co. Fargo are something else! Their light hearted but infectious take on Southern Country … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 3 May 2026, Albert King, blues, blues rock, gig, Half Moon, Lightning Threads, Putney, review, rock, The Fargo Railroad Co.
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Gig review: WINGS OF AOR FESTIVAL – Arbis, Norrkoping, Sweden, 24-25 April 2026

The status of Scandinavia as the spiritual home of melodic rock is reflected not just in the volume of bands there, but an increasing number of festivals dedicated to, or featuring a goodly number of, melodic acts. When a new … Continue reading
Gig review: TYKETTO – 229 Club, London, 17 April 2026

As frontman and founding member Danny Vaughn proudly boasted from the stage, Tyketto’s profile has unexpectedly increased some 35 years after their classic ‘Don’t Come Easy’ debut, with a European tour with Black Star Riders and a Masters of Rock … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Chris Childs, Closer to the Sun, Collateral, Danny Vaughn, Ged Rylands, gig, Harry Scott Elliott, Kory Clarke, melodic rock, Tyketto, Warrior Soul
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Gig review: ROBERT JON & THE WRECK – Academy 2, Manchester, 16 April 2026

All the way from Orange County California, Robert Jon And The Wreck pulled a near capacity Manchester crowd, who were eager to be entertained. They started with ‘The Devil Is Your Only Friend’, but I think Manchester could be added … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Academy 2, April 16 2026, blues, blues rock, gig, Manchester, review, Robert Jon & The Wreck, rock, southern rock
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Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – New Theatre, Oxford, 12 April 2026

This fan may have just been starting out in primary school when Suzi Quatro had her first UK number with ‘Can The Can’ in 1973, however, it was still a great moment to finally see her live on stage. Big … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 12 April 2026, Alice Cooper, Chris Norman, classic rock, gig, KT Tunstall, New Theatre, Oxford, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Suzi Quatro
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Gig review: FM- White Rock Studio, Hastings, 5 April 2026

With their 1986 debut album ‘Indiscreet’ FM took on the Americans at their own game with among the finest, and arguably the very best, British AOR albums ever recorded, with all the hallmarks of the genre- hook-filled songs on the … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged AOR, Brave Rival, Ed 'the Shred' Clarke, FM, gig, Indiscreet, Jem Davis, Jim Kirkpatrick, Lindsey Bonnick, melodic rock, Merv Goldsworthy, Pete Jupp, Steve Overland
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Gig review: CHEZ KANE- Fighting Cocks, Kingston upon Thames, 2 April 2026

No one can accuse Welsh songstress Chez Kane of not putting in the hard yards. This show in Kingston’s rock pub, in my South West London heartland, marked the last of a remarkable ten ‘in-store’ acoustic appearances in seven days … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged acoustic, Chez Kane, gig, Harry Scott Elliott, Henry Gottelier, James Ready, melodic rock, Reckless, The Karma Effect
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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 14 March 2026

As double headers go this promises to be a quite a night. Two great bands at the top of their game, covering all aspects of the Blues Rock genre, at a sold out Stables, who could ask for more? Will … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 14 March 2026, blues rock, Brave Rival, classic rock, gig, Milton Keynes, review, The Stables
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Gig review: EMERALD MOON – Le Marquee, Peyrignac, Dordogne, SW France, 7 March 2026

Emerald Moon is an impressive French retro rock band with unashamed 70’s antecedents, sprinkled with elements of Classic Rock, rock-blues and harmony guitar arrangements which owe much to Thin Lizzy and even Wishbone Ash. They also employ a funky undertow … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Ann Wilson, Anthony Prudent, beth Hart, blues, Blues Pills, classic rock, Dana Fuchs, Deep Purple, Dordogne, Emerald Moon, Fabrice Dutour, funk, Heart, Laurent Falso, Le Marquee, Leif De Leeuw Band, live, Michaal Benjelloun, Pat Benatar, review, rock, Susan Tedeschi, Thin Lizzy, Vanessa Di Mauro, Wishbone Ash
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Gig review: MILKFEST, Indigo2, London, 1 March 2026

A year after the first event, blues festival and charity fundraiser Milkfest was back for a return delivery. The format was similar but the carefully curated eight artist line up featured all but one new act, and a new beneficiary … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Adam Norsworthy, Alice Armstrong, blues, blues rock, Brave Rival, charity, Chris Difford, Climax Blues Band, Dementia UK, Elles Bailey, Errol Linton, gig, Greg Coulson, Milkfest, Mississipi Macdonald, Robbie McIntosh, Squeeze, Steve Wilson, Terry Carter, The Milk Men, Thomas Heppell
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Gig review: SAMANTHA FISH – The Ritz, Manchester, 4 March 2026

So on the way to Manchester I was listening to Planet Rock radio with Elles Bailey who I saw a couple of weeks ago in Bury, and she was playing a track by When Rivers Meet off the Matt Long … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 4 March 2026, blues, blues rock, gig, guitarist, Manchester, review, Samantha Fish, The Ritz, The Zak Shulze Gang
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Gig review: SMITH KOTZEN – Bristol Academy, 20 February 2026

It’s a band and promoters nightmare. Towards the end of a relatively short UK tour the special guests Kris Barras Band had to pull out due to Kris’ throat infection. Shame as I was looking forward to seeing Barras live … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 20 February 2026, Adrian Smith, Bristol Academy, classic rock, gig, hard rock, Iron Maiden, review, Richie Kotzen, Smith Kotzen, Winery Dogs
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Gig review: SOLSTICE – Kidderminster Town Hall, 19 February 2026

There are a few bands I’ve seen over the years in fairly quick succession: Hawkwind in the early seventies. Magnum in the early 1990s. I’m getting that way with Solstice. I last saw the band barely six months ago at … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 19 February 2026, Andy Glass, gig, Kidderminster Town hall, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Solstice
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Gig review: MEDICINE HEAD – The Cabbage Patch, Twickenham, 19 February 2026

John Fiddler is an indefatigable old trouper – despite some health challenges over the last year, he was back at the Eel Pie Club for the second time in 12 months with his revamped Medicine Head line up. Initially slow … Continue reading





