Category Archives: Special Events

Gig review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON & FRIENDS FESTIVAL, The Vic, Coalville, 20-22 August 2021

Posted on August 25, 2021 by jason
gig5

I think it would be fair to say that travelling to the venue on 20th was challenging for most, due to a number of accidents and roadworks everywhere, however, none so much as The Darker My Horizon (TDmH) as their … Continue reading →

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Gig review: BLACK SABBATH 50TH ANNIVERSARY PLAYBACK – Number 10, Hackney, 11 February 2020

Posted on February 13, 2020 by jason
Black Sabbath 50th

Most of us listen to music while distracted by other things. Commute to work, at home or live venue. But what if there were no other distractions around you? Just you and the music, in the dark – would you … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 24-27 January 2020

Posted on January 28, 2020 by GRTR! HQ
Praying Mantis - Giants Of Rock, Butlins, Minehead, 27 January 2020

Another Cold January and another Giants Of Rock.  Enough to warm the cockles following a respectable respite after Christmas and New Year. This was our fourth Giants, although intrepid GRTR! reviewers have reported since the festival’s inception in 2014.  After … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GREAT BRITISH ROCK AND BLUES FESTIVAL – Butlins, Skegness,17th to 20th January 2020

Posted on January 27, 2020 by david.wilson

Skegness in early January is a bit of a strange place. Row upon row of empty caravans lie in wait for warmer weather and better times. When once again the sound of laughter and the smell of stale beer, cigarette … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THE FAIRIES ON MY ROOF FESTIVAL – Papa Groove, Le Puridier (Rouffignac), SW France, 31 August 2019

Posted on September 2, 2019 by petefeenstra
Fairies On My Roof

Somewhere along the way the true spirit of Woodstock almost got lost in the corporate shuffle and the passing of 50 years. But on a magical day in deepest Dordogne in South West France, the Des Fées Sur Mon Toit … Continue reading →

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Gig review: VIVE LE ROCK AWARDS – Islington Academy, London, 27 March 2019

Posted on March 28, 2019 by petefeenstra
Suzi Quatro

Tonight’s 2019 Vive le Rock Awards was always going to be a broad musical church, what with a mix of  punk, new wave and glam artists populating the bill. That said, the spirit of punk hangs heavily on a night … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 25-27 January 2019

Posted on January 29, 2019 by GRTR! HQ
Zal Cleminson - GIANTS OF ROCK, Butlins, Minehead, 25-27 January 2019

Three more days of rock, roll and roast pork and “last man standing” is becoming an ever more recurring theme. “Last man” might mean, literally, the last remaining member of a particular touring band or maybe a sole representative plying … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GREAT BRITISH ROCK & BLUES FESTIVAL – Butlins, Skegness, 18 – 20 January 2019

Posted on January 29, 2019 by david.wilson
GREAT BRITISH ROCK & BLUES FESTIVAL – Butlins, Skegness, 18-20 January 2019

Butlins in Skegness opened its doors to the holidaying masses back in 1936 and since then it has been serving up summertime fun and thrills as Billy Butlin intended. But during the cold winter months the site is mostly deserted, … Continue reading →

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Gig review: CHRISSIE HYNDE – Adding The Blue Exhibition, After Nyne Gallery, London, 6 Nov 2018

Posted on November 7, 2018 by petefeenstra
CHRISSIE HYNDE – Adding The Blue Exhibition, After Nyne Gallery, London, 6 Nov 2018

You could be forgiven for taking a wearisome sigh on discovering that The Pretenders leader Chrissie Hynde is the latest in stream of rock stars who have taken up the paintbrush and canvas in the autumn of their career. However, … Continue reading →

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Gig review: ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL – Nottingham Trent University Students Union, 19-21 October 2018

Posted on October 30, 2018 by andynathan
Tokyo Motor Fist - ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL, October 2018

Now in its fourth year, anticipation had been steadily growing ever since the line up was announced in February for Rockingham, which accurately bills itself as ‘three days of the finest melodic hard rock from around the world’. Proof of … Continue reading →

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Gig Review: CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL, 2-5 August 2018

Posted on August 13, 2018 by david.wilson
CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL, 2-5 August 2018

I must begin with a confession; this was my first time attending Cambridge Folk Festival and I only recognised a handful of the acts scheduled to play.  I know, I’m a folking heathen.  Especially when you consider that the festival … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Saturday 10 March 2018 (Day 3)

Posted on March 19, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
Skid Row - HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Saturday 10 March 2018

With Night Ranger polishing off Friday with such aplomb the omens were good for the Saturday, which on paper had a stronger line up. When arriving on site on Thursday I found out that The Quireboys were to stand in … Continue reading →

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Gig review: ROCKIN’ THE BLUES 2018 – The Garage, London, 17 March 2018

Posted on March 18, 2018 by petefeenstra
Eric Gales - ROCKIN

In this hour special first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in April 2018, Pete Feenstra chats to Eric Gales, Gary Hoey, Lance Lopez and Quinn Sullivan, with tracks from their respective current albums. The inaugural Rockin’ The Blues … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Friday 9 March 2018 (Day 2)

Posted on March 17, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
Night Ranger - HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Friday 9 March 2018

Having given up the opportunity of the Thursday after-show party, a leisurely start to Friday was rewarded with Scottish rockers The King Lot.  They kicked off the main stage activity and, after a  successful Pledge campaign for their second album, … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 3)

Posted on January 30, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
Chantel McGregor - GIANTS OF ROCK - Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 3)

Day 3 – Sunday As the final day started we wouldn’t have been surprised to see Bobby Kimball sliding out of the curtains reminiscing about his appearance on Toto IV but … instead Chantel McGregor got the juices flowing with … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 2)

Posted on January 30, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
John Verity - GIANTS OF ROCK - Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 2)

Day 2 – Saturday John Verity opened up shop on a damp Saturday with a thoughtful blues rock set, not overplaying his own solo material (new album: Blue To My Soul) and treating us to some familiar standards including ‘Cocaine’ … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 1)

Posted on January 30, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
FM - GIANTS OF ROCK - Butlins, Minehead, 26 January 2018 (Day 1)

News during the week that Wetherspoons had taken steak off their menu may not have been of great interest until we learn that Butlins also get their meat from the same source that is currently “under investigation”.  The loss of … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THE GREAT BRITISH ROCK & BLUES FESTIVAL, Skegness, 19-22 January 2018

Posted on January 26, 2018 by jason
Nazareth - Giants of Rock 2018

I’ve enjoyed various Butlins music weekends over the years but 2018 will be the first where I’ve done two such weekends on the trot. My Butlins blow-out started off with the Rock & Blues weekend in Skegness – with just … Continue reading →

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Gig review: The Choir Boy, A Bullet Belt & Lemmy by Tim Atkinson – Saffron Waldren, 28 December 2017

Posted on December 30, 2017 by jason
The Choir Boy, A Bullet Belt & Lemmy by Tim Atkinson - Saffron Waldren, 28 December 2017

It is December 28th 2017 two years to the day of the passing of his lord Lemmy; after a treacherous walk uphill on sheet and black ice, a Jack Daniels and Coke is in my hand and I am compelled … Continue reading →

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Gig review: BEAUTIFUL DAYS Festival – Devon, 18-20 August 2017

Posted on September 5, 2017 by GRTR! HQ
BEAUTIFUL DAYS FESTIVAL - Devon, 18-20 August 2017

Dance Before, During and After the Storm Between Friday 18th and Sunday 20th August 2017 the bizarre, the wonderful and the contradictions of the norm gathered in the grounds of Escot Park to embrace the eclectic bohemian eccentricity that is … Continue reading →

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Gig review: CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL, 27-30 July 2017

Posted on August 30, 2017 by GRTR! HQ
CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL 27-30 July 2017

Sometimes I think the term ‘Folk Festival’ puts some people off but if they look under the skin they might see something very special. A glancing look through this year’s programme of events showed a whole array of arts and … Continue reading →

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

Posted on August 8, 2017 by david.wilson
RAMBLIN

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Gig review: HUE AND CRY Album Launch – PRS Building, King’s Cross, London, 3 August 2017

Posted on August 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ
HUE & CRY Album Launch - PRS Building, King

Kicking the night off in great humour, Pat Kane informs his attentive audience that tonight we are to be locked in a room 8 floors above the ground for a 20 minute jazz odyssey. Luckily this was a joke. Instead, … Continue reading →

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