Author Archives: david.wilson

Gig review: SKERRYVORE/MANRAN – Albert Hall, Stirling, 29 December 2019

Posted on January 2, 2020 by david.wilson

The Scottish folk rock scene has been topped for the last 40 odd years by Runrig who had a huge following across the country and beyond. There have been a number of other bands however who have been on a rapid … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Alec Dalglish, Craig Espie, Ewan Henderson, folk music, Gary Innes, gig, Kim Carnie, live, Manran, review, rock, Runrig, Scottish, Skerryvore | Leave a comment

Gig review: DAN REED NETWORK/GUN/FM – Waterfront, Norwich,14 December 2019

Posted on December 27, 2019 by david.wilson

Three of the common sights of the 21st century concert scene are bands playing a classic album in its entirety; package tours bringing together acts with a complementary fanbase; and bands that we thought would never get back together again … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 14 December 2019, 1989, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Dan Reed Network, Dante Gizzi, FM, funk, gig, Gun, Headstart Promotions, Jim Kirkpatrick, Jools Gizzi, live, Martin Jarvis, Norwich, rock, Slam, Steve Overland, Taking On The World, Tough It Out, Waterfront | Leave a comment

Album review: RAMMSTEIN – Rammstein

Posted on November 27, 2019 by david.wilson

Spinefarm Records [Release date 17.05.19] 10 years is a long time in anyone’s book but in musical terms it can be a whole career, or in the case of some X Factor winners a career can pass in 10 minutes. The fact … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, CD, Deutschland, Industrial, metal, Paul Landers, radio, Rammstein, review, Richard z Kruspe, rock, Till Lindemann, X Factor | Leave a comment

Gig review: HRH FESTIVAL, DAY 3 – Vauxhall Holiday Park, Gt Yarmouth, 9 November 2019

Posted on November 17, 2019 by david.wilson

After the high of Saturday there was a more subdued feeling around the smaller arena as the early unplugged sessions got underway with CADENCE NOIR and DEVILFIRE. A little thin on the ground at this early hour, the previous long … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 9th November 2019, Ablaze, Brian Tatler, Candece Noir, Chemia, Chic, Devilfire, Diamond Head, Doro, gig, Great Yarmouth, Hand of Dimes, Hard Rock Hell, HRH, HRH Awards, live, Massive, metal, Michael Monroe, review, rock, Stonedeaf, Wolf Jaw, Zodiac Mindwarp | Leave a comment

Gig review: HRH FESTIVAL, DAY 2 – Vauxhall Holiday Park, Gt Yarmouth, 8 November 2019

Posted on November 14, 2019 by david.wilson

First band on the mainstage were Highway To Hell winners, TWISTER. The Durham band had been popular winners and the early start saw many seeking out breakfast and a brew to join the band in the main arena. The set-up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 8th November 2019, Beth Blade, Brian Downey Live And Dangerous, Buckcherry, Chic, Dante Gizzi, gig, Great Yarmouth, Gun, Hard Rock Hell, HRH, HRH Awards, Johnny Davies, Jools Gizzi, Kikamora, live, metal, Praying Mantis, review, rock, Those Damn Crows, Toby Jepson, Twister, Vauxhall Holiday Park, Wayward Sons, White Raven Down | Leave a comment

Gig review – HRH FESTIVAL, DAY 1, Vauxhall Holiday Park, Gt Yarmouth, 7 November 2019

Posted on November 11, 2019 by david.wilson

Day one proper of the HRH festivities found a change to the set up in the main arena following the awards ceremony. A VIP section had been placed directly in front of the main stage pushing back the main public barrier. This meant the vibe definitely changed from the previous day from one of frivolity and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 7th November 2019, Andy Taylor, Chic, Cloven Hoof, Day 1, Electric Mary, Gill Montgomery, Great Yarmouth, Hard Rock Hell, HRH, Killcode, Liberty Lies, Reef, Tequila Mockingbyrd, Thursday, Vauxhall Holiday Park | Leave a comment

Gig review: HRH AWARDS 2019 – Great Yarmouth, 6 November 2019

Posted on November 8, 2019 by david.wilson

For 13 years HRH has seen some of the finest bands and singers in the rock world grace its stages. This will be the third time that the HRH Awards have been held prior to the main event with a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 6th November 2019, Chic, gig, Great Yarmouth, Hard Rock Hell, HRH, HRH Awards, Inglorious, Johnny Davies, Killcode, Liberty Lies, live, Massive Wagons, Mike Monroe, review, Spidervayne, The Quireboys, Toby Jepson, Twister, Wayward Sons | Leave a comment

Album review: EMPYRE – Self Aware

Posted on November 5, 2019 by david.wilson

Self Release [release date 05.07.19] This is the debut album from Empyre who hail from Northampton. The band formed in 2016 and have had a run of high profile outings including featuring on ‘BBC Introducing’ and recording a session for the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, CD, Did Coles, Disturbed, Empyre, Northampton, Pearl Jam, review, rock, Self Aware | Leave a comment

Album review: SABATON – The Great War

Posted on November 5, 2019 by david.wilson

Nuclear Blast [Release date 19.07.19] With the recent commemorations taking place to mark 100 years passing since the First World War it is the perfect time for Sabaton to tackle the war to end all wars. They have touched on the subject … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, battle metal, Bismark, Joakim Broden, Lawrence Of Arabia, review, rock, Sabaton, The Great War, Verdun | Leave a comment

Gig review – DRAGONFORCE, Liquid Room, Edinburgh, 2 November 2019

Posted on November 5, 2019 by david.wilson

Its 15 years since I first caught Dragonforce live at this very venue and although tonight is sold out we are still in a fairly small hall so what, if anything, does this tell us about the band’s career? For me it tells me … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2nd November 2019, album, Celine Dion, Dragonforce, Edinburgh, Extreme Power Metal, Fredric Leclercq, Gee Anzalone, gig, Herman Li, Japanese, liquid Room, live, Lovebites, Marc Hudson, McRocklin Hutch, metal, review, rock, Sam Totman, Techno, Thomas McRocklin, Titanic | Leave a comment

Album review: DRAGONFORCE – Extreme Power Metal

Posted on September 25, 2019 by david.wilson

earMUSIC [Release date 27.09.19] Dragonforce are back with album number eight and it does what it says on the tin. ‘Extreme Power Metal’ has been the band’s weapon of choice since their inception and they still continue to use twenty notes where … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Celine Dion, Dragonforce, Extreme Power Metal, FM, Fredric Leclercq, Gee Anzalone, Herman Li, Johnny Cash, Marc Hudson, metal, review, Ring of Fire, rock, Sam Totman, Titanic | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST – Revelation

Posted on September 19, 2019 by david.wilson

Nuclear Blast [Release date 20.09.19] Mr Schenker and his motley crew are back for their second album following on from the ‘Resurrection’ album released in 2018. The premise is the same with all former MSG vocalists joining the guitar maestro for a romp … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, CD, Doogie White, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Michael Schenker Fest, MSG, Rainbow, Revelation, review, Robin McAuley, rock, Ronnie Romero, Temple Of Rock | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK STAR RIDERS – Another State Of Grace

Posted on September 19, 2019 by david.wilson

Nuclear Blast [release date 06.09.19] Black Star Riders are back with album number 4 and it is the first to feature both drummer Chad Szeliga and newest recruit Christian Martucci on guitar. Martucci took over from the departed Damon Johnson who has been an integral part of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Another State Of Grace, Black Star Riders, blues, CD, Damon Johnson, Donald Trump, review, Ricky Warwick, rock, Scott Gorham, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Gig review: FISH – Craigiehill Fest, Perth, 31 August 2019

Posted on September 8, 2019 by david.wilson

Craigie Hill Fest is held annually in the carpark of Craigiehill Golf Course on the outskirts of Perth. I must say it hadn’t featured on my gig radar prior to this year and they have an eclectic mix of musical styles on throughout … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 31st August 2019, Craigiehill, Doris Brendal, festival, Fish, Foss Paterson, gig, Golf Club, Internal Exile, Marillion, prog, review, Robin Boult, rock, ska, Steve Vasantis, The Rude Boys | Leave a comment

Gig review: STONEDEAF FESTIVAL – Newark Showground, 24 August 2019

Posted on September 5, 2019 by david.wilson

Bank holiday weekends have their good and bad points. On the good side you get a long weekend to do whatever takes your fancy, hopefully in fantastic weather and with great musical accompaniment. On the bad side however, you get … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24th August 2019, Airbourne. Motorhead, Brian Tatler, Chris Sumby, Deep Purple, Diamond Head, Donington, festival, GEOFF TATE, gig, Glenn Hughes, Inglorious, Krusher, Lemmy, Massive. The Amorettes, metal, Monsters Of Rock, Motley Brew, Newark Showground, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, review, rock, Samarkind, Stonedeaf, Tequila Mockingbird, Toby Jepson, Wayward Sons | Leave a comment

Gig review: BEAUTIFUL DAYS FESTIVAL – Escot Park, Devon, 16-18 August 2019

Posted on August 29, 2019 by david.wilson

Beautiful Days festival, in it’s 17th year, is held in the grounds of Escot Park in Devon and is a festival I’ve attended every year since 2011, with good reason. Founded by punk folk rockers, Levellers, they always offer a high calibre line-up. A smorgasbord … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 16th to 18th August 2019, Beautiful Days, Black Water County, Celtic Socisl Club, Devon, Escot Park, Ferocious Dog Ash, festival, folk, Gaz Brookfield and The Company Of Thieves, Less Than Jake, Levellers, live, Membranes, NOFX, punk, rock, Seth Lakeman, Skunk Anansie, Sleaford Mods, The Bar-Steward Sons Of Val Doonican, The Leylines, The Rails, The Stranglers, Ziggy Marley | Leave a comment

Album review: STATUS QUO – Backbone

Posted on August 20, 2019 by david.wilson

earMusic [Release date 06.09.19] On the release day of this album I will be avoiding social media at all costs. The luddites and trolls will be out in force to decry this album as a travesty and a slur on the Quo legacy, produced, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Backbone, blues, CD, EarMusic, Francis Rossi, Frantic Four, Leon Cave, review, Rhino Edwards, Rick Parfitt, Ritchie Malone, rock, Status Quo | Leave a comment

Gig review: RUNRIG – The Last Dance DVD World Premiere – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow – 17 August 2019

Posted on August 20, 2019 by david.wilson

Exactly one year ago to the day I and around 25,000 other Runrig fans descended on the City Park in my home town of Stirling to witness the band’s final show. After 45 years the guys had decided that retirement beckoned but not without one last … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 17th August 2018, 17th August 2019, Alba, Brian Hurren, Bruce Guthro, Callum McDonald, castle, City park, Donny Munro, DVD, folk, Glasgow, Ian Bain, live, Malcolm Jones, premiere, rock, Roddy Hart, Rory Mcdonald, Royal Concert Hall, Runrig, Scotland, Stirling, The Last Dance | Leave a comment

Gig review: CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL – Cherry Hinton Hall – 1-4 August 2019

Posted on August 18, 2019 by david.wilson

Beginning in 1965, once a year Cambridge Folk Festival transforms the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall into something a bit special. Cambridge Folk Festival is more than just the folk music. The festival pride themselves on hosting a diverse range of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 1st August 2019, Amadou, Amy Montgomery, Bilnd Bos Of Alabama, Calexico, Cambridge Folk Festival, Cherry Hinton Hall, Daori Farrell, Dylan Menzies, Fairport Convention, folk, Foufalah, Graham Nash, Gruff Rhys, Jack Broadbent, Lucinda Williams, Marian, Nick Mulvey, Richard Thomson, Roo Panes, roots, Sarah Darling, The Unthanks | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Day 3 – Mote Park, Maidstone – 21 July 2019

Posted on August 2, 2019 by david.wilson

Andy Nathan writes: Sunday was another day when there was a chance to check out a band in the tent before the main stage opened. This time it was used as the ‘Grooverider’ stage- I have no idea whether this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 21st July 2019, AIRBOURNE, Austen Gold, beth Hart, blues, Chantal McGregor, Chris Robinson, festival, Foreigner, Gin Annie, Inglorious, Jaime Kyle, Joel O'Keeffe, Lemmy, Living Colour, Maidstone, Matt Mitchell and The Cold Hearts, metal, Mick Jones, Mote Park, Ramblin' Man, Ramblin' Man Fair, Ritchie Kotzen, rock, The Black Crows | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Day 2 – Mote Park, Maidstone – 20 July 2019

Posted on August 2, 2019 by david.wilson

Andy Nathan writes: Saturday at the Fair saw the full range of stages. When Ramblin’ Man started they had a dedicated prog stage attracting such heavy hitters as Marillion and Family, but that genre has been steadily marginalised. Saturday was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20th July 2019, Allman Betts Band, Black Stone Cherry, blues, Cheap Trick, Collateral, festival, Grand Slam, Gregg Allman, Jimmy Barnes, Kent, Lawrence Archer, Maidstone, Mote Park, Outlaw Orchestra, Phil Lynott, Ramblin' Man, Ramblin' Man Fair, Raven Eye, Robert Jon And The Wreck, rock, Ryders Creed, Scardust, The Temperence Movement, Thin Lizzy, Toby Jepson, UGLY KID JOE, Wayward Sons | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Mote Park, Maidstone – Day 1 – 19 July 2019

Posted on August 2, 2019 by david.wilson

Once again the rock hordes decended on Mote Park in Maidstone for another weekend of rock, blues, good beer and good company. GRTR! despatched Andy Nathan and Dave Atkinson to cover all the action, come rain or shine… Andy Nathan … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19th July 2019, AC/DC, AOR, blues, FM, Ginger Wildheart, Justin Hawkins, Kris Barras Band, live, Maidstone, metal, Mote Park, Ramblin' Man, Ramblin' Man Fair, rock, Steve Overland, The Darkness, The Lazys, the Wildhearts | Leave a comment

Gig review: REWIND SCOTLAND – Scone Palace, Perth, 20 – 21 July 2019

Posted on July 26, 2019 by david.wilson

I am sure every generation will lay claim to having all the best music. The music being played on TV and radio during your formative years is what you absorbed and, by default, sticks with you through life. For me and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20th July 2019, 21st July 2019, 80's pop, Abba, Belinda Carlisle, Big Country, Bjorn Again, Blackbox, Brian Ferry, Dire Straits, Eddi Reader, festival, Foreigner, Hazel O'Connor, Hipsway, Joyce Sims, Leo Sayer, Lisa Stansfield, Lulu, Midge Ure, music, Paul Young, Perth, Rewind, rock, Roxy Music, Scone Palace, Scotland, The Primitives, The Skids, The Stranglers, The Undertones, ULTRAVOX | Leave a comment

Gig review: KISS – Hydro, Glasgow, 16 July 2019

Posted on July 17, 2019 by david.wilson

The run up to this gig had me reminiscing, looking back to my first Kiss live encounter in 1983. As a fresh faced 15 year old I went along full of anticipation of a spectacular show and I wasn’t disappointed. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 16th July 2019, Ace Frehley, Alive, Detroit Rock City, Edinburgh Playhouse, End Of The Road, Eric Singer, Final tour, Gene Simmons, gig, Glasgow, Glasgow Apollo, Hydro, Kiss, live, Make up, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, review, rock, Tommy Thayer | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAMMSTEIN – MK Dons Stadium, Milton Keynes, 6 July 2019

Posted on July 10, 2019 by david.wilson

Driving towards MK Dons stadium pre gig I saw a sign which could only mean that Rammstein were in town, it stated ‘Warning Special Effects!’. I can’t think of any other band who would require such a notice, however a … Continue reading →