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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
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Gig review: CARDINAL BLACK – Sub 89, Reading, 15 November 2024
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Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – London Palladium, 13 November 2024
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Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024
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Gig review: WHEN RIVERS MEET, CHANTEL MCGREGOR, XANDER AND THE PEACE PIRATES – Dingwalls, London, 7 November 2024
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Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024
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Gig review: ELLES BAILEY- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 2 November 2024
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Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS
Gig review: EAGLES – Wembley Stadium, London, 23 June 2019
Of the many celebrity deaths in the annus horribilis of 2016, that of Glenn Frey saddened me more than most, not least as a reminder you should see your heroes before they go (or you do first!) Only a couple … Continue reading
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Tagged country rock, Deacon Frey, Don Henley, Eagles, gig, Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, Timothy B. Schmit, Vince Gill
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Gig review: BILLY JOEL – Wembley Stadium, 22 June 2019
For most of my life I had little interest in seeing Billy Joel. I knew all his big hit singles and that he was revered as a singer-songwriter and pianist with a long history, almost like America’s answer to Elton … Continue reading
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Tagged Billy Joel, David Rosenthal, gig, Mark Rivera, Mike DelGuidice, singer songwriter, Wembley Stadium
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Gig review: THE WATERBOYS – Auditorio Burjassot, Valencia, Spain, 28 June 2019
If the legend that is Andy Nathan can report on an AOR convention from Sweden, surely, I can cover The Waterboys from Spain… This outdoor arena on the outskirts of Valencia was a steeply banked affair with a rigid cantilevered roof open … Continue reading
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Tagged 28 June 2019, Burjassot, gig, live, Mike Scott, review, The Big Music, The Waterboys, The Whole of the Moon
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Gig review: BON JOVI – Wembley Stadium, London, 21 June 2019
For many years Bon Jovi were the kings of the stadium show in the UK and on their frequent visits to these shores I would even attend more than one show on the tour. This high profile also seemed to … Continue reading
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Tagged Bon Jovi, David Bryan, gig, John Shanks, Jon Bon Jovi, Manic Street Preachers, melodic rock, Phil X, review, Wembley Stadium
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Gig review: GEORDIE – The Cluny, Newcastle, 7 June 2019
Smiles abounded on and off-stage at The Cluny for the triumphant homecoming for Geordie. Still featuring founder members bassist Tom Hill and drummer Brian Gibson, the two reminded us right from the off what a ‘proper’ classic rock rhythm section … Continue reading
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Tagged 7 June 2019, classic rock, Geordie, gig, hard rock, Newcastle, pop rock, review, The Cluny
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Gig review: P!NK – Wembley Stadium, 30 June 2019
P!nk may not be a name you’d necessarily associate with rock, however the warm-up DJ KidCutUp mixed a fair few classic rock tunes into his set plus a nice touch to have Freddie Mercury’s ‘Ay oh’ in the mix, made … Continue reading
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Tagged Bishop Briggs, Cyndi Lauper, Freddie Mercury, gig, indie, P!nk, pop, review, rock, Wembley Stadium, Whitesnake, Wrabel
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Gig review: GARY CLARK JR. – Albert Hall, Manchester, 18 June 2019
Gary Clark Jr. is a man out of time, resplendent in battered denim and wide brimmed hat he is the embodiment of the classic blues man. Immediately launching into 2012 single ‘Bright Lights’ and demonstrating deep, smoking guitar chops that … Continue reading
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Tagged 18 June 2019, Albert Hall, blues, blues rock, Gary Clark Jr, gig, Manchester, review
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Gig review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL- Donington Park, Leicestershire, 14-15 June 2019
The fact that Download ranks alongside the very largest of all the UK festivals is tribute to the enduring, if underground, popularity of metal and heavy rock in all its forms. However in some quarters it gets a bad rap, … Continue reading
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Tagged 14-15 June 2019, Brothers Osbourne, Def Leppard, Delain, Download, Epica, festival, gig, Halestorm, Myles Kennedy, Slash, Stone Temple Pilots, Three Days Grace, Whitesnake
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Gig review: TESLA – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 16 June 2019
No surprise to see a healthy crowd in on this damp Sunday evening to see Wayward Sons. The band has been cutting a noteworthy profile since its establishment in 2016 and already a second album is in the can. ‘Don’t … Continue reading
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Tagged 16 June 2019, gig, hard rock, live, review, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Tesla, Toby Jepson, Wayward Sons
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Gig review: TOTO – Royal Chelsea Hospital, London, 13 June 2019
In the ever more crowded gigging season, a fresh trend over the last few years has been for London’s finest historic settings to be used for concerts. Following in the footsteps of Hampton Court and Greenwich is now a short … Continue reading
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Tagged AOR, Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain, gig, Joseph Williams, Justin Hawkins, live at Chelsea, melodic rock, review, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, The Darkness, Toto, Warren Ham
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Gig review: LAST IN LINE – Islington Academy, London, 12 June 2019
Last in Line have reached the same crossroads as the Black Star Riders did a few years ago. Originally put together by former bandmates to honour the memory of an iconic frontman, what then happens when you want to start … Continue reading
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Tagged Andrew Freeman, Brian Tatler, Diamond Head, Dio, gig, Last In Line, Phil Soussan, review, Vinny Appice, Vivian Campbell
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Gig review: CAMDEN ROCKS FESTIVAL – Camden Town, London, 1-2 June 2019
This annual gathering, wedged tightly into the crammed streets of central north London, has been on the go since 2009. It started with 25 bands and 5 venues. This year over 400 acts will be appearing across 20 stages. Saturday … Continue reading
Gig review: STYX – London Palladium, 4 June 2019
It’s been eight long years since Styx last crossed the pond and on that occasion they opened a three way battle of the AOR behemoths with Foreigner and Journey, and for many observers stole the show. This belated return was … Continue reading
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Tagged AOR, gig, James Young, Lawrence Gowan, melodic rock, pomp rock, review, Styx, Tommy Shaw
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Gig review: MAGNUM – Aberdare Coliseum, 5 June 2019
With more venues in South Wales falling by the wayside, it is refreshing to see someone taking a gamble, especially in the valleys and in the middle of the week, but the old adage of book them and they will … Continue reading
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Tagged 5 June 2019, Aberdare, Bob Catley, classic rock, Coliseum, gig, Hand of Dimes, Magnum, melodic rock, review, Tony Clarkin
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Gig review: SWEDISH AOR CONVENTION – Malmo, Sweden, 30 May-2 June 2019
Melodic rock and AOR is an unlikely addition to the list of things- ergonomic design, environmental awareness, and dark crime dramas- where Scandinavia leads the world. The scene is particularly strong in Sweden, home of many of my favourite bands … Continue reading
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Tagged Age of Reflection, Anette Olzon, AOR, Bad Habit, Care of Night, Coastland Ride, Creye, festival, gig, Hank Erix, melodic rock, Osukaru, Philip Lindstrand, Pretty Wild, Sapphire Eyes, Shape of the New Sun, State of Salazar, Swedish AOR convention
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Gig review: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – Regent Theatre, Stoke, 7 June 2019
When it comes to cult theatre, the grand daddy of them all refuses to go away. Fully some 46 years after it made its debut at a small upstairs space at the Royal Court Theatre in London, Richard O’Brien’s homage … Continue reading
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Tagged Blue, Duncan James, Frank N Furter, glam rock, Meat Loaf, musical, Regent Theatre, review, Richard O'Brien, rock, rock 'n' roll, Rocky Horror Show, Stoke-on-Trent
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Gig review: VINCENT FLATTS FINAL DRIVE – Kings Head Theatre, London, 7 June 2019
There ‘s something indefinable about the true spirit of rock and rock. And whatever it is, Vincent Flatts Final Drive front man Steve “Bertie” Burton has it in buckets. It’s not just the spontaneous humour, the belligerent phrasing, the way … Continue reading
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Tagged Birmingham, blues, boogie, Captain Beefheart, Edgar Broughton, Frank Zappa, funk, Gary Harper, gig, Joe Louis Walker, Michael Katon, Noddy Holder, review, Rich Shelton, rock, Russ Cook, southern rock, Steve "Bertie" Burton, Texas, Vincent Flatts Final Drive, vocals
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Gig review: ERIC GALES – Nell’s Jazz & Blues, London, 5 June 2019
An evening with Eric Gales is like a rock-blues therapy session. Every song is analysed, the crowd’s response is measured, the autobiographical stories are analytical in nature and the short burst of incendiary guitar are the proof of his God … Continue reading
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Tagged Blue Oyster Cult, blues, Byron Carter, electronica, Eric Gales, funk, guitar, hip hop, jazz, Jimi Hendrix, LaDonna Gales, psychedelia, rock
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Gig review: ROCKIN THE BLUES 2019 – JONNY LANG/WALTER TROUT/KRIS BARRAS – 02 Forum, London, 4 June 2019
Whatever Provogue records original vision was for their annual European Rockin’ The Blues’ tour, it could surely not have been much better than this. Put simply, in terms of passion, energy and balance, tonight’s triple bill delivers different shades of … Continue reading
Gig review: BEARDED THEORY’S SPRING GATHERING – Catton Park, Derbyshire, 23 – 26 May 2019
Life, Love and Unity. The Dreadzone motto of “Life, love and unity” has never been more perfectly exemplified than at Bearded Theory’s Spring Gathering. It’s a philosophy that seems to be embraced by the Beardy tribe. Fields full of friendly folk, a fantastic line up, … Continue reading
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Tagged 2019, Bearded Theory, Catton Park, Dreadzone, Editors, festival, folk, Idlewild, Imperial Leisure, Little Steven, live, Pulled Apart By Horses, punk, Reef, Rev Hammer, rock, Suede, The Blinders, The Dreadnoughts, The Mahones, The Orb, The Slow Readers Club, Thw Wildhearts
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Gig review: MARTIN BARRE BAND (50 Years of Jethro Tull) – Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, Wirral, 2 June 2019
The International Guitar Festival Of Great Britain, held annually for many years, has been a showcase for some of the world’s finest players. Sadly, it has lost its focus a little in recent years with acts appearing that have no … Continue reading
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Tagged 50 years, Clive Bunker, Dan Crisp, Dee Palmer, Floral Pavilion Theatre, gig, hard rock, Jethro Tull, Martin Barre, prog, Progressive Rock, review
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Gig review: BUCK & EVANS – 100 Club, London, 27 May 2019
Buck and Evans define the term ‘critically acclaimed’ in that anyone who has come into contact with their music has universally praised them. However, a good four years since I last saw them (at Highbury Garage) progress has been slow. … Continue reading
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Tagged blues rock, Bob Richards, Buck & Evans, Chris Buck, Dominic Hill, gig, Sally Ann Evans, The Rainbreakers
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Gig review: DAXX AND ROXANE/ COLLATERAL – Borderline, London, 18 May 2019
In the run up to this Borderline show came the sad news that this long-established venue is closing, leaving Central London with almost no rock venues. This reflects a wider trend of losing places that host live music, which is … Continue reading
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Tagged Angelo Tristan, Cedric Pfister, Colin Parkinson, Collateral, Daxx and Roxane, Drew Lowe, gig, review, Temple of One, The Borderline, Todd Winger
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Gig review: MOTT THE HOOPLE 74 – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 26 April 2019
A Mott the Hoople reunion, which some said would never happen, has now done so three times. A decade ago the five members of their classic early seventies line-up reformed for a series of shows at Hammersmith which were emotional … Continue reading
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Tagged Ariel Bender, Brian May, gig, Ian Hunter, Joe Elliott, Morgan Fisher, Mott the Hoople, Rant Band, review
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Gig review: THE WILDHEARTS – Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh, 4 May 2019
In the spirit of those bastions of journalism The Sun and The Star I am going to start the review with a sensational headline ‘Wildhearts Mime On Stage Shocker!!’. Fake news I hear you cry, but no this really did … Continue reading
