Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS

Gig review: EUROPE – The Roundhouse, London, 12 November 2016

EUROPE - The Roundhouse, London, 12 November 2016

While 2016 has seen the British public vote for Brexit, exactly 30 years ago they were taking Europe to their hearts. Not Eurocrats in Brussels or parliamentarians in Strasbourg, but five fresh-faced Swedes with luxuriant long hair and toothy smiles … Continue reading

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Gig review: THORBJORN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 14 November 2016

THORBJORN RISAGER THE BLACK TORNADO – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 14 November 2016

Just like their viking history, Danish bues-rockers Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado came, saw, conquered by funking up the house with a high energy show that breathes fresh life into the big band blues review format. With a name … Continue reading

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Gig review: GRAHAM BONNET – Boston Music Rooms, London, 8 November 2016

GRAHAM BONNET- Boston Music Rooms, London, 8 November 2016

Graham Bonnet has always been one of rock’s most singular characters. The man with the short hair, Hawaiian shirts and musical background far removed from your traditional metal belter who gave Rainbow their commercial breakthrough. The man whose self-destructive tendencies … Continue reading

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Gig review: IAMTHEMORNING, Tim Bowness – Bush Hall, London, 14 November 2016

IAMTHEMORNING, Tim Bowness - Bush Hall, London, 14 November 2016

On a unique collaborative evening broken into two halves, Tim Bowness was first to take the stage with his merry band of musicians. Bowness, one half of No-Man (the other being prog legend Steven Wilson) was tonight showcasing his work … Continue reading

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Gig review: 3 DOORS DOWN – Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, 6 November 2016

 3 DOORS DOWN - Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, 6 November 2016

Enormous in their native USA since the turn of the millennium, 3 Doors Down have a low public profile in the UK, perhaps befitting a band whose everyday anonymity is one of their virtues. Yet a near sell out at … Continue reading

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Gig review: DELAIN, Evergrey – O2 Ritz, Manchester, 12 November 2016

DELAIN - O2 Ritz, Manchester, 12 November 2016

In May 2013, David Randall chatted to Charlotte Wessels at the time of the release of their first mini-album for Napalm Records,  ‘Interlude’.  Their chat includes references to the early development of the band, the split from the Roadrunner label, … Continue reading

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Gig review: Y & T – Islington Academy, London, 28 October 2016

Y & T - Islington Academy, London, 28 October 2016

For the last decade, an extensive Y & T tour has been just as much a feature of autumn as leaves falling and the nights getting shorter.  The Californians seem to have a love affair with the UK and judging … Continue reading

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Gig review: UFO – Alban Arena, St Albans, 25 October 2016

UFO - Alban Arena, St Albans, 25 October 2016

For a band whose musical quality is right up there with the best, UFO’s legacy in the classic rock hall of fame is not the most secure. Whether its the effect of the off stage shenanigans and constant personnel changes … Continue reading

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Gig review: NINE BELOW ZERO/Chloe Marriott – Under The Bridge, London, 4 November 2016

NINE BELOW ZERO – Under The Bridge, London, 4 November 2016

Tonight, Nine Below Zero are reborn as a big band. They have all the essential qualities that an 8-piece combo requires, from the core duo of seasoned front man Dennis Greaves and the magisterial harp player Mark Feltham, to a … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL – Nottingham Trent University Students Union, 21-23 October 2016

ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL, Nottingham, 21-23 October 2016

Last year, a new festival, Rockingham, took on the unenviable mantle of filling the void left by Firefest, which for a decade had delighted melodic rock fans by bringing a series of cult melodic rock acts, many reforming after years … Continue reading

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Gig review: BAD COMPANY/Richie Sambora – Manchester Arena, 24 October 2016

The Best of 2016 - Live Act

GRTR!’s David Randall caught up with Simon Kirke on the last day of the UK tour.  They chatted about Bad Company, Free and Simon’s solo work including his forthcoming album to be released in early-2017. Photo: David Randall With doors … Continue reading

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Gig review: NICKELBACK – SSE Wembley Arena, 17 October 2016

NICKELBACK - SSE Wembley Arena, 17 October 2016

Few bands have experienced the vitriol that has attached itself to Nickelback over the years, to the extent that the phenomenon was even the subject of academic theses. Yet the fact that, 15 years after they first stormed the charts … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROBIN TROWER/Stevie Nimmo – Islington Town Hall, London,18 October 2016

ROBIN TROWER – Islington Town Hall, London,18 October 2016

Everything about tonight is a reminder of a bygone era. From the venue – a good old fashioned town hall with a cranked-up PA and ridiculous volume levels – to the whippersnapper support band Stevie Nimmo and a frisky London … Continue reading

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Gig review: ERJA LYYTINEN BAND – Boom Boom Club, Sutton,14 October 2016

ERJA LYYTINEN BAND – Boom Boom Club, Sutton,14 October 2016

What a difference year makes. While Finnish guitarist Erja Lyttinen is a regular visitor to these shores for festival and select clubs dates, she’s upped her game with a revamped line-up, some excellent new songs and stellar performance levels that … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE TUBES – Club Academy, Manchester, 8 October 2016

THE TUBES - Club Academy, Manchester, 8 October 2016

Interview/news item We’re being spoilt.  Legendary San Francisco shock rockers The Tubes don’t play a gig in the UK for over 10 years and then we get two tours almost within the space of a year.  If the Mondo Pulp … Continue reading

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Gig review: LEVEL 42 – The Lowry, Salford, 4 October 2016

LEVEL 42 - The Lowry, Salford, 4 October 2016

David Randall chatted to Mark King for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in July 2016. This hour long special traces the rise of Level 42 in the 1980s and their subsequent reformation. Part 2 of this feature showcases some of … Continue reading

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Gig review: CATS IN SPACE, SPACE ELEVATOR – Harlequin Theatre, Redhill, 29 September 2016

SPACE ELEVATOR - Harlequin Theatre, Redhill, 29 September 2016

Quite apart from the similarity in names, the pairing of Cats In Space and Space Elevator was a perfect match. Both are new acts, albeit with seasoned musicians who have been on the scene a while, trying to do something … Continue reading

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Gig review: BIG COUNTRY – The Warehouse, Falkirk, 30 September 2016

BIG COUNTRY – The Warehouse, Falkirk – 30 September 2016

Big Country, like many classic rock bands at the moment, are going through a bit of a golden period. Every year is throwing up another significant anniversary to be celebrated, last year it was 30 years since the release of … Continue reading

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Gig review: KEE MARCELLO – The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 21 September 2016

KEE MARCELLO - The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 21 September 2016

30 years ago, just as Europe’s The Final Countdown went stratospheric, John Norum left the band and it was Kee Marcello who went on to be the guitarist during their commercial heyday. However, while his erstwhile bandmates milk that milestone … Continue reading

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Gig review: MITCH MALLOY – Camden Underworld, 18 September 2016

MITCH MALLOY - Camden Underworld, 18 September 2016

Ever since the release of his classic self-titled debut in 1992, chock full of memorable anthems and heartfelt ballads, Mitch Malloy has been one of AOR and melodic rock’s cult figures. However despite several appearances at Firefest it has been … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE QUIREBOYS – The Bungalow, Paisley, 18 September 2016

THE QUIREBOYS – The Bungalow, Paisley, 18 September 2016

Rock gigs in Paisley are not the most frequent of occurrences but The Bungalow venue is trying to rectify that situation. It is the first time I have been in the venue which has gone under a few different names … Continue reading

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Gig review: KIP WINGER – The Borderline, London, 17 September 2016

KIP WINGER- The Borderline, London, 17 September 2016

Kip Winger’s acoustic shows at the Borderline, now billed as the 5th Annual Evening with Kip Winger, have become legendary events, not just from an ever growing number of diehard fans, but from the artist himself, who bounded on stage … Continue reading

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Gig review: WATCHET FESTIVAL – 27-28 August 2016

WATCHET FESTIVAL - 27-28 August 2016

Watchet Festival – The small festival with a huge heart… Saturday 27th August After spending what felt like half my lifetime sitting in the giant car park that is the M5, he beautiful scenery as we drove along the winding … Continue reading

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Gig review: NEWARK BLUES FESTIVAL – Newark Castle, 11 September 2016

NEWARK BLUES FESTIVAL – Newark Castle, 11 September 2016

In this two-hour special Pete Feenstra plays some of those acts appearing at the 2016 Newark Blues Festival and some of the award-winners.  First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 13 September 2016. It’s one of those days in … Continue reading

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Gig review: STATUS QUO – Union Chapel, Islington, London, 9 September 2016

STATUS QUO - Union Chapel, Islington, London, 9 September 2016

When Status Quo reworked their back catalogue in acoustic format, then put it out on the road, the results were stunning and breathed new life into their classics in a manner even their diehard fans would not have believed possible. … Continue reading

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