Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS

Gig review: FIREWIND – Manchester Academy, 16 February 2017

FIREWIND - Manchester Academy, 16 February 2017

You wonder: now that Ozzy has ended “The End”, in his dotage will he revive his solo career?  And does that mean there’s another job for Gus G?  The Greek guitarist was drafted in for the album ‘Scream’ in 2010 … Continue reading

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Gig review: JONI’S SOUL – 606 Club, Chelsea, London, 6 February 2017

Gina Foster - Joni

How to approach the musical concept of ‘The Soul Of Joni Mitchell’? Firstly, find a versatile, but focussed singer like Gina Foster – her credits include Eric Clapton and Sinead O’Connor – with the requisite vocal range, an intuitive understanding … Continue reading

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Gig review: BLACK SABBATH – 02 Arena, London, 31 January 2017

Black Sabbath - DOWNLOAD, 10-12 June 2016

Gloomy, doom-laden and portentous. And that was just the weather at North Greenwich station. A busker was smashing out ‘War Pigs’ in the ticket hall on his Gibson SG. Quite a crowd of gig-goers had gathered and he finished with … Continue reading

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Gig review: BLUESCLUB – Eel Pie Club, Twickenham, London, 26 January 2017

I had wanted to see Robbie McIntosh play live ever since I was spellbound by his scintillating playing on The Pretender’s ‘Learning To Crawl’ album back in 1984. Tracks like ‘My City Was Gone’ and ‘Time The Avenger’ are still … Continue reading

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Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 27-30 January 2017

Steve Hackett - Giants of Rock, Minehead, January 2017

David Randall sets the scene… Giants of Rock.  Geriatrics of Rock?  It’s where we’ve ended up.  The bracing sea air, the faded resort town, the surfeit of hand-wash.   These events as much remind us of our own mortality as that … Continue reading

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Gig review: JUST SAY YES/ARFM MELODIC ROCK FUNDRAISER – The Spot, Derby, 28 January 2017

VEGA - Melodic Rock Fundraiser - The Spot, Derby, 28 January 2017

From initially modest ambitions,  the ‘Just Say Yes’ fundraiser is rapidly establishing itself as a must on the festival calendar for melodic rock fans, sandwiched between Autumn’s Firefest and latterly Rockingham, and Spring’s HRH. I hugely enjoyed my first festival … Continue reading

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Gig review: TYKETTO – Islington Academy, London, 26 January 2017

TYKETTO - Islington Academy, London, 26 January 2017

2016 was meant to be a big year for Tyketto as they both celebrated the 25th anniversary reissue of their classic ‘Don’t Come Easy release and an excellent new album ‘Reach’, the first with a new line-up of the band. … Continue reading

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Gig review: GLENN HUGHES – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 21 January 2017

GLENN HUGHES - Islington Assembly Hall, London, 21 January 2017

In October 2016, Glenn Hughes chatted to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio about his music with tracks from ‘Resonate’ Keeping up a gruelling schedule that would break many a younger man, Glenn Hughes’ solo career, which took a bit of … Continue reading

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Gig review: TNT – Union Scene, Drammen, Norway – 14 January 2017

TNT - Union Scene, Drammen, Norway – 14 January 2017

When first informed about Norwegian band TNT’s upcoming 30th anniversary tour of ‘Tell No Tales’ featuring the return of the U.S. born Tony Harnell on vocals following his brief stint in Skid Row, I realised the only way I would … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEVE ROTHERY BAND – Band On The Wall, Manchester, 12 January 2017

Steve Rothery Band - Band On The Wall, Manchester, 12 January 2017

This hour special was broadcast in the first hour of David Randall’s weekly show ‘Assume The Position’ on Sunday 18 September at 22:00 GMT on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. With an opening set provided by the Dave Foster Band … Continue reading

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Gig review: AVENGED SEVENFOLD – Hydro, Glasgow, 10 January 2017

AVENGED SEVENFOLD – Hydro, Glasgow, 10 January 2017

Classic rockers are a dying breed. A number of big names passed away in 2016 and with so many of the classic rock fraternity now more likely to pick up their bus pass than jump on a tour bus it … Continue reading

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Gig review: FAMILY FAREWELL SHOW – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 18 December 2016

Advertised as ‘Ladies & Gentleman…Last Orders Please’ this may or may not be Family’s last hurrah, but on the off chance that it is, the band plays with discipline, craft, nuanced restraint, humour and plenty of conviction. The 7 piece … Continue reading

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Gig review: STATUS QUO – The Hydro, Glasgow, 20 December 2016

STATUS QUO – The Hydro, Glasgow, 20 December 2016

‘Is it the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning?’ That was the quandary set by Quo a few albums back and it seemed quite relevant tonight. This gig was part of the ‘Last Night Of The … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE QUIREBOYS – The Tolbooth, Stirling, 14 December 2016

The QUIREBOYS – The Tolbooth, Stirling, 14 December 2016

A gig in Stirling is a rare occurrence and as it is the closest I get to a home tie this show was a must see. Add in the facts that the night was being put on by ‘Rock For … Continue reading

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Gig review: 2016 ROADSTARS – 02 ACADEMY, Islington, London, 7 December 2016

Federal Charm – 02 ACADEMY, Islington, London, 7 December 2016

The 2016 Roadstars triumvirate is a triumph of musical hunger and passion over cultural and musical diversity. Mancunian powerhouse Federal Charm have a punk like fervour that taps into classic rock sensibilities with an occasional bluesy undertow. Aaron Keylock is … Continue reading

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Gig review: STATUS QUO – Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, 2 December 2016

STATUS QUO - Parc Y Scarletts, Llanelli, 27 August 2016

Let’s put some background markers down first – I first saw Quo in Sheffield in 1977 and assuming an average of a gig per tour since and then throw in the ad-hoc promotional stuff like the first Aquostic gig at … Continue reading

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Gig review: BLACK STONE CHERRY – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 5 December 2016

The Best of 2016

To say Black Stone Cherry deliver the kind of impassioned Southern tinged classic rock that their fans demand, is to grossly underestimate the versatility of a remarkable performance and the strength of their songs. Tonight they lyrically bare their soul … Continue reading

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Gig review: KING KING – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 29 November 2016

KING KING - Islington Assembly Hall, London, 29 November 2016

In an even more crowded than ever November gig schedule, it was still important to find time for this enticing double bill of two up and coming bands, both offering a fresh take on blues-influenced rock. If 2015 was when … Continue reading

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Gig review: DAN REED – Lymm Golf Club, Cheshire, 3 December 2016

DAN REED - Lymm Golf Club, Cheshire, 3 December 2016

What started out as a belated 40th birthday treat has become a bit of an obsession for Steve Perrone.  For the past five years he’s put on a variety of gigs with Dan Reed, and in various shapes and forms, … Continue reading

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Gig review: WINTERSTORM FESTIVAL – Concert Hall, Troon, 25/26 November 2016

Troon

The town of Troon is better known for its championship links golf course rather than as a hub for all things rock, but one man with a vision, Iain McCaig, is set to change all that. Going by the old … Continue reading

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Gig review: MARILLION – Manchester Academy, 28 November 2016

Marillion - Manchester Academy, 28 November 2016

Promoting their latest opus F E A R, this Marillion gig came sadly just too late to receive my ‘gig of the year’ nomination in the GRTR! Best of 2016 reviewers’ poll. Marillion are in the somewhat unique position amongst … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE ANSWER/THE DEAD DAISIES – Electric Ballroom, London, 23 November 2016

Dead Daisies

In the current live music climate, a touring double bill makes sense. As well as sharing overheads and potentially playing to double the normal audience, for the fan it helps manage an increasingly crowded calendar where often multiple gigs compete … Continue reading

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The Best of 2016: top albums, top live acts – the reviewers’ choice

The Best of 2016 - sponsored by earMUSIC

The Best of 2017! Popular vote from 4 December… The Best of 2016: Popular Poll Between 5-16 December we invite readers and listeners to vote for their own favourites and also add their own personal choice. Voters can also opt-in … Continue reading

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Gig review: FM – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 19 November 2016

FM - Islington Assembly Hall, London, 19 November 2016

Since reforming a few years ago, Britain’s premier homegrown melodic rockers FM have steered a delicate balance between moving forward and looking backwards. The new line up with Jim Kirkpatrick on guitar has perhaps been the best in their history, … Continue reading

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Gig review: BETH HART/Colin James – Royal Festival Hall, London, 23 November 2016

BETH HART/Colin James – Royal Festival Hall, London, 23 November 2016

It isn’t just her remarkable voice and emotive songs, let alone her vivacious stage presence that marks Beth Hart out as special, it’s much more than that. She’s a force of nature and a previously troubled soul who has dragged … Continue reading

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