Author Archives: david.wilson

Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL DAY 1 – 27 July 2018

Posted on August 5, 2018 by david.wilson

Phil Campbell - STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL DAY 1 - 27 July 2018

Even if you have never been to Steelhouse Festival, you may have heard tell of the road up the top of the mountain that is home to the highest festival in the UK. I can assure you, all these stories … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 27 July 2018, Day 1, Ebbw Vale, Fragile Things, gig, Heavens Basement, metal, Motorhead, Nickelback, Phil Campbell, review, Rich Moss, rock, South Wales, Steelhouse Festival, Stone Broken, The Bastard Sons, The Departed, Wales | Leave a comment

Gig review: STONE FREE FESTIVAL – Day 1 – O2, London, 16 June 2018

Posted on June 24, 2018 by david.wilson

The Scorpions - STONE FREE FESTIVAL, O2, London, 16 June 2018

Photo: Andy Nathan The Stone Free festival once again took over the O2 in London for a weekend of metal, prog and some of the best live whistling ever heard! Andy Nathan and Dave Atkinson were there to capture all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 02, 16th June 2018, Anchor Lane, Buckcherry, Cory Clarke, Dave Mustaine, Daxx and Roxanne, Day 1, Dirty Thrills, festival, Klaus Meine, London, Megadeth, metal, Mickey Dee, Orange Goblin, Picture Books, rock, Rock You Like A Hurricane, Rudolph Schenker, Scorpions, Stone Broken, Stone Free Festival, TRIGGERFINGER, Warrior Soul, Winds Of Change | Leave a comment

Gig review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL – Donington Park, 8-10 June 2018

Posted on June 17, 2018 by david.wilson

It was 30 years ago that I attended Donington for the first time for a Monsters of Rock festival (as it then was) that was summed up by the contemporary Kerrang! headline ‘The Triumph and the Tragedy’. A record crowd … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2018, Axl Rose, Black Stone Cherry, Brent Smith, Donington Park, Download Festival, Greta Van Fleet, Guns 'N' Roses, Inglorious, metal, Monster Truck, Myke Gray, No Hot Ashes, Ozzy Osbourne, rock, Shinedown, Slash, Temperence Movement, The Struts, Thunder, Toby Jepson, Wayward Sons | Leave a comment

Gig review: VOLBEAT – ABC, Glasgow, 6 June 2018

Posted on June 8, 2018 by david.wilson

There can’t be many bands who have their own personal busker, but walking down Sauchiehall Street towards tonight’s venue I could hear the strains of an acoustic guitar and someone blasting out a decent version of ‘Lola Montez’. Apparently the enterprising gentleman had been there most of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 6 June 2018, ABC Glasgow, Elvis, Fangclub, gig, Johnny Cash, live, Lola Montez, metal, Michael Poulson, review, Rob Caggiano, rock, Seal The Deal And Lets Boogie, VOLBEAT | Leave a comment

Gig review: BEARDED THEORY, Catton Park, Derbyshire, 24-27 May 2018

Posted on June 4, 2018 by david.wilson

Thursday 24 May Thursday morning and the weekend was finally here. Bearded Theory was finally here. So, giddy as a kitten in a box of tinsel we loaded up and hit the road. The sun shone brighter as we drew … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24-17 May 2018, Bearded Theory, Blossoms, Catton Park, Derbyshire, dub, Dub Pistols, festival, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Idles, Jake Bugg, Jimmy Cliff, Led Zeppelin, Reverend and the Makers, Robert Plant, rock, Show Of Hands, ska, Spring Gathering, The Coral | Leave a comment

Album review: ANTHRAX – Kings Among Scotland

Posted on May 14, 2018 by david.wilson

Nuclear Blast [Release date 27.04.18] Hard to believe that it is 30 years since the release of the ‘Among The Living’ album from Anthrax. This was the album which spawned some of the band’s biggest songs and raised their profile to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Among The Living, Anthrax, Barrowlands, big 4, DVD, For All Kings, Glasgow, live, metal, Nuclear Blast, review, Scotland, Scott Ian, Thrash | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST – Resurrection

Posted on March 5, 2018 by david.wilson

Nuclear Blast Records [Release date 02.03.18] Most people will now be aware of the Schenker Fest project which has toured extensively over the last 18 months. The premise was to reunite his former MSG bandmates and gather the three vocalists … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, CD, Chris Glen, Doogie White, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Kirk Hammett, metal, Michael Schenker, Michael Schenker Fest, MSG, Resurrection, review, Robin McAauley, rock, Steve Mann, Ted McKenna, Temple Of Rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROBIN TROWER – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 27 February 2018

Posted on March 4, 2018 by david.wilson

ROBIN TROWER - Islington Assembly Hall, London - 27th February 2018

The term living legend should not be lightly used, but in rock circles Robin Trower comes close to that description. With a signature guitar style and playing as well, if not better, than ever, the master craftsman is about to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 27 February 2018, Ash Wilson, blues, Bob Pridzema, gig, Islington Assembly Hall, live, London, review, Richard Watts, Robin Trower, rock, Sari Schorr | Leave a comment

Album review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – A Decade Of Destruction

Posted on December 17, 2017 by david.wilson

Eleven Seven Music [Release date 01.12.17] It has been quite a tenth anniversary year for Five Finger Death Punch. It did appear at one point that the whole FFDP world may come crashing down and the future of the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, CD, Decade Of Destruction, EarMusic, Five Finger Death Punch, Greatest Hits, Ivan Moody, metal, review, Rob Halford, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE QUIREBOYS – Tolbooth, Stirling, 7 December 2017

Posted on December 13, 2017 by david.wilson

Almost exactly a year ago local man Ross Wilson managed to lure The Quireboys to Stirling for a show under the ‘Rock For Strathcarron’ banner. The premise is that all profits raised from the gigs are donated to nearby Strathcarron … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 7 O'Clock, 7th December 2017, acoustic, blues, Filip Rapp, gig, Guy Griffin, Hey You, Keith Weir, live, Paul Guerin, Quireboys, review, rock, Rock For Strathcarron, Ross Wilson, Spike, Stirling, Sweden, The Gloria Story, Tolbooth | Leave a comment

Gig review: STATUS QUO – Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, 5 December 2017

Posted on December 8, 2017 by david.wilson

Almost exactly a year ago I attended a Quo gig at the nearby Hydro which was billed as the ‘Last Night Of The Electrics’ tour. Yet here I am a year on looking at a stage lined with white amps powered up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 5th December 2017, Andy Bowen, blues, Caroline, Cats In Space, Clyde Auditorium, Francis Rossi, gig, Glasgow, Leon Cave, live, Paul Manzi, Rhino Edwards, Richie Malone, Rick Parfitt, rock, Rockin' All Over The World, Scarecrow, Status Quo | Leave a comment

Gig review: MR BIG – Shepherds Bush Empire, London,19 November 2017

Posted on December 3, 2017 by david.wilson

Accompanying their first release in three years, ‘Defying Gravity’, Mr Big undertook an extensive tour, which also represented their first dates on these shores in the same period. Always noted for their relatively long sets, on this occasion further value … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19 November 2017, Billy Sheehan, Cormac Neeson, Eric Martin, Faster Pussycat, gig, Guns 'N' Roses, live, London, Mr Big, Pat Torpey, Paul Gilbert, review, rock, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Taime Downes, THE ANSWER | Leave a comment

Gig review – DEEP PURPLE – Hydro, Glasgow, 22 November 2017

Posted on November 25, 2017 by david.wilson

On the 22nd June 1985 I made a very long trip south, on the oldest bus known to man to stand in a flooded field near Stevenage, to witness the return of Deep Purple mark 2 at Knebworth. It was a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 22 November 2017, blues, Cats In Space, classic rock, Deep Purple, Don Airey, Europe, gig, Glasgow, hard rock, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Joey Tempest, John Norum, pop rock, review, Roger Glover, Steve Morse, The Hydro | 1 Comment

Gig review – BLACK STAR RIDERS – Queens Hall, Edinburgh, 9 November 2017

Posted on November 14, 2017 by david.wilson

During tonight’s gig Black Star Riders frontman Ricky Warwick took time out during the show to remind us that the band have now been a around for five years. In that time a few members have come and gone and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 9 November 2017, Black Star Riders, blues, Blues Pills, Damon Johnson, Edinburgh, gig, live, Queens Hall, review, Ricky Warwick, rock, Scott Gorham, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Gig review: MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST– O2 Ritz, Manchester, 4 November 2017

Posted on November 6, 2017 by david.wilson

Around this time of year there are cries around the country of ‘Christmas gets earlier every year’ as the first decorations are spotted and every TV ad features snowy scenes and perfectly wrapped presents. Manchester took this a step further … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 4 November 2017, Chris Glen, Gary Barden, gig, Graham Bonnet, Grand Prix, live, Manchester, metal, Michael Schenker, Michael Schenker Fest, MSG, review, Ritz, Robin McAuley, rock, Steve Mann, Ted McKenna, The Departed | Leave a comment

Gig review: CATS IN SPACE – G2, Glasgow, 25 September 2017

Posted on September 28, 2017 by david.wilson

After watching Cats In Space tonight I commented to my wife that the most impressive thing about the performance is the fact that the band are so musical. This may sound like a strange comment, surely all bands are musical? … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 25th September 2017, Cats In Space, Dean Howard, G2, gig, Glasgow, Greg Hart, Jeff Brown, Kaato, live, Paul Manzi, review, rock, Scarecrow, Slade, Too Many Gods | Leave a comment

Gig review: GUN – St Luke’s, Glasgow, 14 September 2017

Posted on September 15, 2017 by david.wilson

With Gun about to unleash their excellent new album ‘Favourite Pleasures’ on an expectant public, what better way to introduce a few of the songs than a short showcase gig. The fact that the show was on home turf for … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 14 September 2017, album, Dante Gizzi, Favourite Pleasures, funk, gig, Glasgow, Gun, Jools Gizzi, live, review, rock, St Luke's, Tom Russell, Tommy Gentry, U2 | Leave a comment

Album review: GUN – Favourite Pleasures

Posted on August 27, 2017 by david.wilson

Cloburn Music [Release date 15.09.17] Gun are one of those bands who operate under the radar. They are constantly working away in the background either gigging or producing new music with little fuss but they have a loyal band of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, CD, Dante Gizzi, Favourite Pleasure, funk, Gun, Jools Gizzi, review, rock, Stevie Wonder, Swagger, Taking On The World, The Edge, Tom Russell, Tommy Vance, U2 | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Day 3 – Mote Park, Maidstone, 30 July 2017

Posted on August 8, 2017 by david.wilson

After the deluge on Saturday the forecast for the Sunday was looking a lot brighter and judging by the size of the crowd in the arena the sun had enticed a few extra bodies along for another top day of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 30 July 2017, blues, Devin Townsend Project, Focus, gig, Kent, Magnum, Maidstone, Mote Park, progressive, Ramblin' Man Fair, review, rock, Snakecharmer, Stone Broken, The Quireboys, UFO, Wishbone Ash, ZZ Top | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Day 2 – Mote Park, Maidstone, 29 July 2017

Posted on August 8, 2017 by david.wilson

RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Mote Park, Maidstone, 29 July 2017

I awoke in the hotel with lovely Kent sunshine streaming through the window, however the forecast for later in the day was looking grim and I did pass Noah on his way to B&Q for nails and some MDF. No … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 29 July 2017, Black Star Riders, blues, British Lion, Dan Baird, Deep Purple, Extreme, gig, Glenn Hughes, Iron Maiden, Jared James Nicols, Kent, Maidstone, meta, Mote Park, Ramblin' Man Fair, review, rock, Steve Harris, Tenacious D, the Kyle Gass Band, The Nile Deltas, Toby Jepson, Toseland, Trucker Diablo, Wayward Sons, Xander and the Pirates | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Day 1 – Mote Park, Maidstone, 28 July 2017

Posted on August 7, 2017 by david.wilson

RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR –Mote Park, Maidstone, 28 July 2017

The Ramblin’ Man Fair is now in its third year and is going from strength to strength. It is situated in Mote Park right in the centre of Maidstone in Kent, it is a bit bizarre passing a children’s playpark … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 28 July 2017, Biff Byford, Dave Meniketti, Dio, gig, Graham Bonnet, Last In Line, Maidstone, metal, Mote Park, Rainbow, Ramblin' Man Fair, review.rock, Saxon, The Eagle Has Landed, Vivian Campbell, Y&T | Leave a comment

Gig review: REWIND FESTIVAL – Scone Palace, Perth, 22 July 2017

Posted on July 26, 2017 by david.wilson

Although I am a rock fan through and through I have always had a sneaking love of all things 80’s. Being a teenager during the decade meant that although I was mastering in Iron Maiden and Saxon at the time … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 10CC, 22nd July 2017, 80s, Carol Decker, Chesney Hawkes, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Go West, Heather Small, Human League, Level 42, Lol Creme, M People, Mark King, Musical Youth, Nik Kershaw, Perth, pop, Relax, Rewind festival, rock, Rusty Egan, Scone Palace, Scotland, T'Pau, The Real Thing, The Undertones, Tom Robinson, Trevor Horn, Yes | Leave a comment

Gig review: BEARDED THEORY – Catton Park, Derbyshire, 25 – 28 May 2017

Posted on June 12, 2017 by david.wilson

BEARDED THEORY – TEN YEARS OF MUSIC, MAGIC AND MISCHIEF… Once a year the grounds of Catton Park in Derbyshire are transformed into one of the happiest places on earth. If this conjures images of a saccharine sweet world of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Alabama 3, Bearded Theory, Beardy Keef, Blackballed, Catton Park, Derbyshire, Don Letts, Dreadzone, Ferocious Dog, festival, gig, Goldblade, Madness, may 2017, New Model Army, pop, punk, review, rock, Seasick Steve, Selector, Seth Lakeman, Skunk Anansie | Leave a comment

Gig review: KISS – Hydro, Glasgow, 27 May 2017

Posted on May 28, 2017 by david.wilson

On arrival at the Hydro tonight there was a tight cordon of security following the tragedy at Manchester Arena the previous week. Whilst being searched the security guard asked if I had seen Kiss before to which I replied, yes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 27 May 2017, Crazy Crazy Nights, Destroyer, Deuce, Eric Singer, Evan Stanley, Gene Simmons, gig, glam, Glasgow, God Of Thunder, Hydro, Iron Maiden, Kiss, live, Manchester, metal, Pat Thayer, Paul Stanley, rock, The Dives | Leave a comment

Gig review: INGLORIOUS – Islington Academy, London, 19 May 2017

Posted on May 21, 2017 by david.wilson

Inglorious’ star is rising nicely – little over a year after their debut album had them voted best newcomers in many end of year polls, and after a series of high profile touring opportunities, they have swiftly followed up with … Continue reading →