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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
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Gig review: ANTHRAX – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 23 November 2024
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Gig review: BLACK STONE CHERRY – Wembley Arena, London, 23 November 2024
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Gig review: SQUEEZE – Roundhouse, London, 22 November 2024
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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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Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS
Gig review: LIONHEART/AIRRACE- Camden Underworld, London, 2 December 2017
Picture a brief point of time in the early to mid-eighties. With the New Wave of British Heavy Metal running out of steam, many of its more enlightened musicians turned their ears westwards to the more AOR sounds that then … Continue reading
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Tagged Adam Payne, Airrace, AOR, Dennis Stratton, gig, Laurie Mansworth, Lee Small, Linda Foster-Kelsey, Lionheart, melodic rock, review, Rocky Newton, Steve Mann
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Gig review: STATUS QUO – Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, 5 December 2017
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
Gig review: MR BIG – Shepherds Bush Empire, London,19 November 2017
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
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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
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Gig review: BAD TOUCH/MOLLIE MARRIOTT- Islington Academy 2, London, 26 November 2017
The old saying that it takes years to become an overnight sensation was never truer in the case of Norfolk band Bad Touch. I’ve seen them play numerous support slots over the years but was unaware until singer Stevie Westwood … Continue reading
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Tagged Bad Touch, blues rock, gig, Mollie Marriott, review, Stevie Westwood
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Gig review: BRIAN DOWNEY’S ALIVE AND DANGEROUS – Nells Jazz and Blues, West Kensington, 25 November 2017
If Philip Lynott was the creative force and public image of Thin Lizzy and their twin lead guitars their defining musical sound, Brian Downey was the rock on which the band was based. His understated but effective drumming style was … Continue reading
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Tagged Alive and Dangerous, Brian Downey, classic rock, Federal Charm, gig, hard rock, Live and Dangerous, review, rock, Thin Lizzy
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Gig review: COLIN BLUNSTONE – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 24 November 2017
In an era when the term ‘The Voice’ generates much derision among rock fans, Colin Blunstone is here to remind us of the staple, old school values that have continued to provide a bedrock for the quality end of the … Continue reading
Gig review: H.E.A.T. – Islington Academy, London, 21 November 2017
H.E.A.T.’s return to the stage, hot on the heels of their long delayed, controversial but in my view excellent ‘Into The Great Unknown’ album, was eagerly anticipated. However November is a notoriously crowded month in the gig calendar, which this … Continue reading
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Tagged 21 November 2017, Black Diamonds, Crash, Dave Dalone, Degreed, Erik Gronwall, gig, H.E.A.T., Islington Academy, Jona Tee, London, melodic rock, review
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Gig review: CHRIS REA – Hammersmith Apollo, 26 November 2017
With a fine album of new material nicely tucked away in the kit bag, Chris Rea was out on tour for the first time since 2014. Songs about the road feature heavily in the set, so it’s no surprise that … Continue reading
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Tagged 26 November 2017, Chris Rea, gig, Hammersmith Apollo, live, review, Road Songs For Lovers, Road To Hell, slide guitar
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Gig review: MIKE GARSON performs Aladdin Sane – Birmingham O2 Institute, 25 November 2017
Lovers of 70s-era David Bowie have been in for a real treat this year. Not only have we had Tony Visconti and original Spider from Mars, Woody Woodmansey, touring the Ziggy Stardust album in full, we now have virtuoso Bowie … Continue reading
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Tagged 25 November 2017, Aladdin Sane, Birmingham, Classic Albums, classic rock, David Bowie, live review, Mike Garson, O2 Institute, rock, Roger Glover, Steve Harley
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Gig review – DEEP PURPLE – Hydro, Glasgow, 22 November 2017
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
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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
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Gig review: HRH PROG VI – Pwllheli, North Wales, 17-18 November 2017
David Randall writes… Friday Edgar Broughton opened the proceedings on Stage 1 without his band but with tales of daring-do over a career spanning nearly 50 years and since his signing to the Harvest label in 1968. Apparently he presided … Continue reading
Gig review: LYNCH MOB – Islington Academy, London, 12 November 2017
A very rare appearance from former Dokken guitar maestro George Lynch – and the first with his band Lynch Mob in the capital since 1990 – should have been the hottest ticket in London town. It was therefore something of … Continue reading
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Tagged 12 November 2017, Dokken, George Lynch, gig, Islington Academy, Jody Turner, Lynch Mob, Oni Logan, review, Rock Goddess, The Wild Lies
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Gig review: ALICE COOPER – Manchester Arena, 15 November 2017
The release of Killer in 1971 was a defining moment in my love affair with rock and I’ve waited 40 plus years to see Alice perform with what remains of the original Alice Cooper band, Glen Buxton having passed away … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017
Tagged 15 November 2017, Alice Cooper, Fee Waybill, Manchester Arena, metal, rock, shock rock, The Mission, The Tubes, Wayne Hussey
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Gig review – BLACK STAR RIDERS – Queens Hall, Edinburgh, 9 November 2017
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
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Gig review: SQUEEZE – Royal Albert Hall, London, 6 November 2017
Nearly 40 years after emerging as one of the best bands from that burst of creativity known at the time as the New Wave, Squeeze are not content with the easy option coasting on the Rewind-style nostalgia circuit. Instead the … Continue reading
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Tagged Chris Difford, gig, Glenn Tilbrook, London, pop, review, rock, Royal Albert Hall, Squeeze
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Gig review: JON BODEN – Cornerstones, Didcot, 9 November 2017
A first for me a gig in walking distance of my home! Cornerstones is a cosy, modern theatre. It was a sold out show to see former Bellowhead frontman Jon Boden play a solo gig in support of his recently … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017
Tagged 9 November 2017, Afterglow, Bellowhead, Cornerstones, Didcot, folk, gig, Jon Boden, review, singer songwriter, Solo
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Gig review: MARILLION – Manchester Academy, 8 November 2017
Ok, so I did say the new album would be a grower when reviewing it last August! Don’t lynch me, it’s just that I do like the more straight-ahead romantic side of Marillion which is a little obscured on the … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017
Tagged 8 November 2017, FEAR, gig, Ian Mosley, Manchester Academy, Marillion, Mark Kelly, Pete Trewavas, prog, progressive, review, rock, Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery
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Gig review: PARADISE LOST – Electric Ballroom, London, 3 November 2017
The Electric Ballroom is a great venue. Too long since my last visit. And too long since I last caught live these esteemed architects of gothic metal, Paradise Lost. What a splendid night of re-acquaintance all round. But first, American … Continue reading
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Tagged 3 November 2017, Doom Metal, Electric Ballroom, gig, gothic metal, Gregor Mackintosh, live, Medusa, Nick Holmes, Paradise Lost, review
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Gig review: MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST– O2 Ritz, Manchester, 4 November 2017
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
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Gig review: ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL- Nottingham Trent University Student Union, 20-22 October 2017
Though this was the third year of Rockingham Festival , the natural successor to the much loved Firefest in its autumnal Nottingham position, it really felt as if the Festival came of age. Having settled on a format that works … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017
Tagged Airrace, AOR, Bailey, Blanc Faces, Brother Firetribe, Cruzh, Dare, Dave Bickler, festival, Fortune, gig, Great White, Harem Scarem, John Parr, Kix, Loverboy, Maverick, melodic rock, Moritz, review, Rockingham, The Amorettes, Vega, Vince Neil
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Gig review: MARTIN BARRE BAND, ARC, Stockton-on-Tees, 2 November 2017
Despite a 4am collective jet-lagged wake-up call – no doubt nudged on by their just-closed nine week US tour – the Martin Barre Band opened the first date of a short UK tour with a swift instrumental, followed by crowd … Continue reading
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Tagged 2 November 2017, Alan Thomson, Arc, Dan Crisp, gig, guitar, guitarist, Jethro Tull, Martin Barre Band, review, rock, Stockton-on-Tees
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Gig review: ANDREW ROACHFORD – Live Rooms, Chester, 2 November 2017
Andrew Roachford has spent much of 2017 gigging with Mike + The Mechanics – during which time he was described in our review as ‘the epitome of cool.’ We should be grateful, therefore, that he can find the time to … Continue reading
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Tagged 2 November 2017, Andrew Roachford, Chester, gig, Live Rooms, Mike & the Mechanics, pop, R&B, review, rock, soul
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Gig review: THE STRAWBS – Under The Bridge, London, 29 October 2017
As a kid in the 70s I do recall frequent radio plays of the Strawbs novelty hit ‘Part Of The Union’ in what was that fractious decade for industrial relations. And as an adult and Sandy Denny fanatic, the latter’s … Continue reading
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Tagged classic rock, Dave Cousins, folk, gig, London, October 29 2017, progressive, review, rock, The Ferryman's Curse, The Strawbs, Under the Bridge
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Gig review: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD – London Blues Fest at Indigo, 02 London, 28 October 2017
Right now Kenny Wayne Shepherd is at the height of his powers. He’s a modern day techno-blues man who marries speed with a range of contrasting attacks. He explores feel and tonal variety as part of an avalanche of bluesy … Continue reading
Gig review: WISHBONE ASH/Steve Hill – Islington Academy, London, 19 October 2017
A new chapter has begun in Wishbone Ash’s long and distinguished history, with master guitarist Andy Powell accompanied by a new partner in Yorkshireman Mark Abrahams, following Muddy Manninen’s departure after twelve years. They remain one of the hardest working … Continue reading
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Tagged Andy Powell, Bob Skeat, classic rock, gig, Joe Crabtree, Mark Abrahams, Steve Hill, twin guitars, Wishbone Ash
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