Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS

Gig review: BLACK EYED SONS- The Lexington, London, 16 December 2024

BLACK EYED SONS- The Lexington, London, 16 December 2024

This debut gig by the Black Eyed Sons marked the start of something new, after one of the more ill-fated episodes in rock history. When the other members of the Quireboys dismissed Spike, whatever the ins and outs, without the … Continue reading

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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – Thames Side Brewery, Staines, 8 December 2024

BRAVE RIVAL- Thames Side Brewery, Staines, 8 December 2024

The choice of several of this website’s writers, me included, as act of the year, I’ve seen Brave Rival many times over the past two years. Of all the venues, my favourite was the Thames Side Brewery, not too far … Continue reading

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Gig review: STRAY – The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 7 December 2024

STRAY- The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 7 December 2024

My sixth and final trip of the year to the Cavern which has been keeping the flag flying for live music ‘Sarf of the River’ was, fittingly, for a true rock legend.  Stray founding member and guitarist Del Bromham has … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE SHEEPDOGS, THE COMMONERS – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 5 December 2024

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By coincidence, for the second week running, Islington Assembly Hall played host to a pair of bands playing music inspired by the sounds of the American south, yet based thousands of miles apart.  On the heels of Robert Jon and … Continue reading

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Gig review: GUN – Barrowlands, Glasgow, 14 December 2024

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Over the years many bands have embarked on a pre-Christmas tour around the nation. Status Quo and Motorhead are two that spring to mind, and going further back in time, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s Xmas shows in the Glasgow … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE DAMN TRUTH – The Grace, London, 26 November 2024

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I saw The Damn Truth last Summer at the Islington Academy and was impressed. Eighteen months later, the Montreal rockers were back in town, playing to a sold out The Grace, and put in an even better show. The band … Continue reading

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Gig review: LAZARUS HEIGHTS – The Auditorium, Bassilac, SW France, 7 December 2024

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It’s not everyday a Dordogne based Anglo-French band records a live album in a local auditorium, but Lazarus Heights are nothing if not adventurous. They are also resilient and versatile, related facets which serve them well in a seated venue … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROBERT JON AND THE WRECK – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 28 November 2024

ROBERT JON AND THE WRECK- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 28 November 2024

On Thanksgiving Day, what could be more appropriate to go to than a gig, from a California based band peddling the very best in southern rock? Luckily in recent years Robert Jon and the Wreck seem to have constantly been … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEVE HOGARTH – The Crypt, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, 5 December 2024

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What we need in the pre-Christmas period is a warm and cosy festive gig, maybe in an unusual location, to lift the flagging spirits. To help us take our mind off political posturing, the smell of Musk, Black Friday overspend, … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE VAN MORRISON ALUMNI BAND – The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 25 November 2024

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Few artists have gained the stature of Van Morrison, the Belfast born troubadour a true legend whose blend of soul, jazz, blues and rock is oft imitated but seldom bettered. Whilst his recorded output has never been less than industrious … Continue reading

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Gig review: MASSIVE WAGONS – SWG3, Glasgow, 27 November 2024

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Wednesday nights are not renowned as party nights, but with Massive Wagons back in town a healthy crowd gathered in SWG3 to rock along with the band that always get the party started. With a full on night of thrash … Continue reading

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Gig review: ANTHRAX – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 23 November 2024

Gig review: ANTHRAX – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 23 November 2024

It’s been a while. 35 years in fact, since I last saw Anthrax. March 1989 at this very venue. I had to look it up, but I needn’t have bothered. During a mid-set chat, Scott Ian listed all the times … Continue reading

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Gig review: BLACK STONE CHERRY – Wembley Arena, London, 23 November 2024

BLACK STONE CHERRY- Wembley Arena, London, 23 November 2024

As they mentioned from the stage, Black Stone Cherry have been on tour for the best part of two years, touring their latest album ‘Screaming At The Sky’. Seemingly their favourite territory, the UK has seen them no less than … Continue reading

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Gig review: SQUEEZE – Roundhouse, London, 22 November 2024

SQUEEZE- Roundhouse, London, 22 November 2024

It’s a tribute to the virtue of good songwriting and refusing to follow fashion that Squeeze have joined the select group of bands to be celebrating their 50th birthday (albeit with a few breaks apart). And yet, as Glenn Tilbrook … Continue reading

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Gig review: CARDINAL BLACK – Sub 89, Reading, 15 November 2024

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Of all the new bands on the scene, Cardinal Black seem to be among those on the verge of a big commercial breakthrough. On this autumn tour, the London venue was at the Shepherds Bush Empire, though I couldn’t make … Continue reading

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Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – London Palladium, 13 November 2024

SUZI QUATRO- London Palladium, 13 November 2024

After too long sharing a bill on revival shows or out of the touring spotlight altogether, the last couple of years have seen the welcome return of Suzi Quatro as a headline live act, cementing her legacy as a trailblazing … Continue reading

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Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024

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Hard Rock Hell (HRH) was back for its 17th instalment “Valhalla”. Rockers from up and down the country were already here in their masses. The atmosphere was already building and I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this weekend. Thursday … Continue reading

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Gig review: WHEN RIVERS MEET, CHANTEL MCGREGOR, XANDER AND THE PEACE PIRATES – Dingwalls, London, 7 November 2024

WHEN RIVERS MEET, CHANTEL MCGREGOR, XANDER AND THE PEACE PIRATES- Dingwalls, London, 7 November 2024

This show, one of the occasional live spinoffs from the Blues Power shows on one of GRTR!’s fellow radio stations, ticked a lot of boxes for me. I’ve steadily been getting more into When Rivers Meet but my ambition to … Continue reading

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Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024

Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024

They may not have the same veteran status as the headliners of this show, but Reef are celebrating 30 years in the business this year. No mean feat, with founding members Gary Stringer on vocals and Jack Bessant on bass. … Continue reading

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Gig review: ELLES BAILEY- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 2 November 2024

ELLES BAILEY- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 2 November 2024

One of the new generations of artists that has somehow managed largely to pass me by to date is Elles Bailey. I’d seen her name on tours and festival bills and social media, but never yet managed to see her … Continue reading

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Gig review: DEFECTS – Key Club, Leeds, 1 November 2024

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Once again I was impatiently awaiting this gig. Filled with excitement I headed off to the Key Club in Leeds. Upon arriving I found the venue was small and intimate which was a massive bonus, the Stage was raised so … Continue reading

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Gig review: KING KING, THESE WICKED RIVERS – Sub 89, Reading, 27 October 2024

KING KING AND THESE WICKED RIVERS- Sub 89, Reading, 27 October 2024

King King’s extensive touring schedule has included this autumn jaunt to some new places including what Alan Nimmo suggested was their first ever visit to the County town of Berkshire. With no London date, a trip on the Elizabeth line … Continue reading

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Gig review: FM – The Carlisle, Hastings, 17 October 2024

FM- The Carlisle, Hastings, 17 October 2024

Recently in the news, we heard how tours have shrunk and cover fewer towns and cities than they did 30 years ago. For FM the opposite seems to be the case – as well as playing the established big cities, … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE NEW ROSES- The Black Heart, Camden, London, 16 October 2024

THE NEW ROSES- The Black Heart, Camden, London, 16 October 2024

On the very same day Thomas Tuchel was announced as the English football team’s new coach, some other Anglophiles from Germany were the musical attraction. The New Roses are on an extensive UK tour as they now seem to be … Continue reading

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Gig review: ALICE COOPER – Hydro, Glasgow, 14 October 2024

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Come October the mind starts to stray to thoughts of Halloween, of ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night! What better to soundtrack those dark thoughts than a night with the king of scare himself, Alice … Continue reading

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