Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS

Gig review: MAYHEM ROCK FESTIVAL- The Nest, Nottingham, 16 May 2026

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

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Gig Review: MOONLIGHT – THE PHILIP LYNOTT ENIGMA – Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow 20 May 2026

Moonlight - The Philip Lynott Enigma

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

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Gig review: CHRISTOPHER CROSS – Bristol Beacon, 20 May 2026

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

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Gig review: CASSIDY PARIS – The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 14 May 2026

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

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Gig review: LUKE JAMES WILLIAMS – Wax and Beans, Bury, 15 May 2026

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

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Gig review: COLIN BLUNSTONE – The Sub Rooms, Stroud, 14 May 2026

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

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Gig review: WILL WILDE – Thames Side Brewery, Staines-upon-Thames, 3 May 2026

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

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Gig review: CATS IN SPACE- Half Moon, Putney, London, 26 April 2026

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

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Gig review: LIGHTNING THREADS – The Half Moon, Putney, 3 May 2026

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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

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Gig review: WINGS OF AOR FESTIVAL – Arbis, Norrkoping, Sweden, 24-25 April 2026

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

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Gig review: TYKETTO – 229 Club, London, 17 April 2026

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

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Gig review: ROBERT JON & THE WRECK – Academy 2, Manchester, 16 April 2026

RJTW_photo by Mark Powell (25)

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

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Gig review: SKINDRED – O2 Academy, Oxford, 17 April 2026

skindred

Skindred released their new album, ‘You Got This’, and their ninth overall, on the same day as they played this sold out gig in Oxford. So good to see that for once at a gig I was at the older … Continue reading

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Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – New Theatre, Oxford, 12 April 2026

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

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Gig review: FM- White Rock Studio, Hastings, 5 April 2026

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

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Gig review: THE GUILTY MEN – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 1 April 2026

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The origins of the Guilty Men lie back in 2021, when guitarists and old pals Clive Gregson (Any Trouble, Richard Thompson, Christine Collister) and Neil Cossar (The Cheaters) finally got around to writing a few songs together. Which one of … Continue reading

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Gig review: CHEZ KANE- Fighting Cocks, Kingston upon Thames, 2 April 2026

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

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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 14 March 2026

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

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Gig review: A VERY SPECIAL EVENING OF MOTT THE HOOPLE – Riverside Studios, London, 27 February 2026

A VERY SPECIAL EVENING OF MOTT THE HOOPLE- Riverside Studios, London, 27 February 2026

It is getting harder than ever to witness Mott the Hoople music being played, at least by its original creators. Ian Hunter is still very much with us but has not toured since the pandemic and sadly his bandmates have … Continue reading

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Gig review: EMERALD MOON – Le Marquee, Peyrignac, Dordogne, SW France, 7 March 2026

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

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Gig review: MILKFEST, Indigo2, London, 1 March 2026

Chris Difford - 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

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Gig review: SAMANTHA FISH – The Ritz, Manchester, 4 March 2026

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

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Gig review: SMITH KOTZEN – Bristol Academy, 20 February 2026

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

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Gig review: SOLSTICE – Kidderminster Town Hall, 19 February 2026

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

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Gig review: MEDICINE HEAD – The Cabbage Patch, Twickenham, 19 February 2026

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

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