Category Archives: Special Events

Gig review: TIM ARNOLD ‘Super Connected’ – The Cockpit Theatre, London, Tuesday 4 June 2024

Dani Tim Sarah

Where do we start with effect of screen addiction and the role social media plays on one’s mental health? This is what singer/songwriter Tim Arnold has been researching for the past seven years culminating in the release of his latest … Continue reading

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Gig review: Quarantune Rocks Weekender 2023 -The Victoria Bikers Pub, Coalville, October 6 & 7 2023

QRocks 2023

Quarantune Rocks was created by friends Karen Clayton and Pamela Hinchliffe, during COVID-19 to support rock fans and live music in an online group. The not-for-profit festival is in its third year, run by music lovers and aims to support … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROCKNYTT CRUISE- Viking Line ‘Cinderella’, Stockholm, 21-22 April 2023

ROCKNYTT CRUISE- Viking Line 'Cinderella', Stockholm, 21-22 April 2023

The rock cruise is now a well established business model in the world of classic rock, as fans of rock’s golden age reach their Saga-eligible years and are looking for new experiences and greater comfort than sleeping in tents and … Continue reading

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Album review: BLACK BEAR KISS – Black Bear Kiss (and album launch – 3 March 2023)

Black Bear Kiss

[Release date 03.03.23] Black Bear Kiss are a 4 piece upbeat rock band, who formed in 2016 by long term collaborators and good friends Rob Jones (guitar) and Chris Leech (vocals), with drummer Chris Bagnall and bassist Rich Sach coming … Continue reading

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Gig review: BOTH SIDES NOW: Homage to the Songs of Joni Mitchell – The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, Wednesday 8 February 2023

Both Sides Now - A Tribute To The Songs Of Joni Mitchell

Without doubt one of the finest and most influential songwriters and performers of the past six decades, Joni Mitchell has a unique style that has seen countless music fans fall under her spell. Since her debut performing in local clubs … Continue reading

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Gig review: DEWOLFF – Paradiso, Amsterdam, Thursday 5 January 2023

DeWolff-Love-Death-And-In-Between-150x150

New Album – Love, Death & In Between (Album Launch Party Gig) GRTR! has been trumpeting the extraordinarily versatile southern rock, psychedelic/blues uber-combo, DeWolff, for years now and they have really excelled themselves with their new album, “Love, Death & … Continue reading

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Gig review: CORNBURY Music Festival – The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, 8-10 July 2022

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Friday 8 July So good to be back at Cornbury as it has been three long years since the last one. Sadly this year’s is billed as the Last Hurrah, although the organiser Hugh has said that before… Tears in … Continue reading

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Gig review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL, Donington Park, Leicestershire, 10-12 June 2022

DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL, Donington Park, Leicestershire, 10-12 June 2022

A year ago a special pilot event at Download pointed the way for live music to return:  now in 2022 the UK’s biggest rock and metal festival was back in a recognisable format. It was the biggest sign yet that … Continue reading

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Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – Royal Albert Hall, London, 9-11 May 2022

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 9-11 May 2022

Of all those gigs I’d already booked when the pandemic started, it was the trio of Bryan Adams shows at the Royal Albert Hall, playing an album in its entirety each night, that I’d most looked forward to seeing and … Continue reading

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Gig review: SOUNDBAY FESTIVAL – Patti Pavilion Swansea – 25th – 27th March 2022

Finally, after what seemed like a rollercoaster ride, Soundbay went ahead. All be it with a slightly rearranged line up, a couple of bands pulling out at the last minute due to illness, the core of the line up remained … Continue reading

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Special Event: SABATON – Heugh Battery Museum, Hartlepool – 3 March 2022

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Get Ready to ROCK! Live Editor Dave Wilson caught up with Swedish metallers Sabaton at an unusual location prior to the release of their new album… The Heugh Battery in Hartlepool has been a strategic military position since the 17th … Continue reading

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Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL XIV, Great Yarmouth, 4-6 November 2021

Bastette - HARD ROCK HELL XIV, Great Yarmouth

37 bands – 2 stages Friday 5 November This festival is a new experience for me and what an utterly joyous experience it was too from the get go, arrival was smooth, the venue is really easy to navigate round, … Continue reading

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Gig review: Quarantune Rocks Party, The Old Dairy Farm, Cropredy, 9 October 2021

The Darker My Horizon - Quarantune Rocks Party, The Old Dairy Farm, Cropredy, 9 October 2021

6 Bands, 1 stage, 1 day: The Darker My Horizon Ryders Creed Shades Of Seattle King Awesome Skinny Knowledge More Human Than Human Quarantune Rocks was set up in March 2020 to support rock music fans, bands and venues in … Continue reading

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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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