Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS

Gig review: SOUTH OF SALEM – Thekla, Bristol, 27 March 2025

Posted on March 29, 2025 by GRTR! HQ

It’s quite a novelty stepping on to an old German cargo ship to see a gig in the cargo hold and in 2024 Thekla celebrated its 40th anniversary as a live music venue. Judging by the snaking crowd greeting the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 27 March 2025, Bristol, gig, hard rock, metal, review, South Of Salem, Thekla | Leave a comment

Gig review: JIZZY PEARL’S LOVE/HATE – The Underworld, Camden, March 13 2025

Posted on March 29, 2025 by jason

Celebrating the 35th anniversary of the band’s debut album “Blackout in The Red Room”, Love/Hate frontman Jizzy Pearl led his current incarnation of the band through a decade defying gig that was reminiscent of the original band back in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Blackout In The Red Room, Camden, classic album, gig, hard rock, Jizzy Pearl, Love/Hate, March 13 2025, review, rock, sleaze rock, The Underworld | Leave a comment

Gig review: GRAHAM GOULDMAN – Cadogan Hall, London, 20 March 2025

Posted on March 22, 2025 by GRTR! HQ

GRAHAM GOULDMAN - The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7 March 2025

Graham Gouldman’s ‘Heart Full Of Songs’ is an inspirational evening built round his own remarkable song history and related stories. The show is fleshed out by glistening harmonies, salient hooks and a set list which interweaves the substance of his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 10CC, 20 March 2025, acoustic, Cadogan Hall, gig, Graham Gouldman, London, pop rock, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DARKNESS – G Live, Guildford, 11 March 2025

Posted on March 15, 2025 by andynathan

THE DARKNESS – Regent Theatre, Ipswich, 6 March 2025

Say what you like about them- and many still do- the tale of The Darkness is a classic tale of redemption. The band that rose too fast to be the biggest thing in the pop let alone the rock world, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Ash, Dan Hawkins, Dreams On Toast, Frankie Poullain, gig, Justin Hawkins, Rufus Taylor, The Darkness, Tim Wheeler | Leave a comment

Gig review: FISH – O2 Academy, Glasgow, 9 March 2025

Posted on March 11, 2025 by david.wilson

‘So here I am once more in the playground of the broken hearts…’ Fish and his music have been a constant in my life for the past 42 years. I first saw him onstage back on the 31st December 1983 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 9th March 2025, Edinburgh Playhouse, Fish, Fugazi, gig, Glasgow, live, Liz Antwi, Lucky, Marillion, Market Square Heroes, Mickey Simmonds, O2 Academy, prog, Road To The Isles Tour, Robin Boult, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: WILL WILDE- 100 Club, London, 4 March 2025

Posted on March 10, 2025 by andynathan

In the new wave of rising British blues stars, Will Wilde is something of an anomaly in that among all those guitar hot shots, his chosen instrument of speciality is the harmonica. He is clearly building a name for himself … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues, blues rock, Bobby Harrison, Dani Wilde, Dave Winkler, gig, Greg Coulson, harmonica, Lindsey Bonnick, Star Circus, Thea Watson, Will Wilde | Leave a comment

Gig review: URIAH HEEP – London Palladium, 26 February 2025

Posted on March 9, 2025 by andynathan

All good things must come to an end, and even Uriah Heep’s long and distinguished career seemed to be winding down when they announced that their current tour would be their last and was being badged as ‘The Magician’s Farewell’. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged April Wine, Bernie Shaw, Brian Greenway, classic rock, Danny Vaughn, Dave Rimmer, gig, Marc Parent, Mick Box, Phil Lanzon, Russell Gilbrook, Tyketto, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE VAPORS Album Launch – The Water Rats, London, 27 February 2025

Posted on March 7, 2025 by jason

The return of Guildford New Wave Power Popper’s The Vapors in 2016 after thirty-four years away from the scene was cause for celebration amongst the sharper observers on the scene. Best known for the iconic hit ‘Turning Japanese’ and their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 27 February 2025, Album Launch, Dave Fenton, London, New Wave, pop rock, power pop, review, Steve Smith, The Vapors, The Water Rats, Wasp In A Jar | Leave a comment

Gig review: MILKFEST- Indigo2, London, 23 February 2025

Posted on March 6, 2025 by andynathan

Music shows its very best side when artists use their platform to do something for wider society. Organised by the Milk Men, Milkfest was intended as a celebration of the best of British blues but more importantly to raise funds … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues, blues rock, charity, Dave Kelly, Dr Feelgood, festival, gig, Jo Harman, Milkfest, Mollie Marriott, Paul Jones, soul, the Cinelli Brothers, The Milk Men, Toby Lee, When Rivers Meet | Leave a comment

Gig review: MIKE + THE MECHANICS – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 3 March 2025

Posted on March 5, 2025 by david.wilson

It’s amazing how the (living) years roll by. Mike + The Mechanics are now celebrating 40 years as an entity and show no signs of slowing down any time soon. Mike Rutherford, now shorn of the Genesis day job, has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 3rd March 2025, Andrew Roachford, Cuddly Toy. Genesis, gig, Glasgow, I Can't Dance, Invisible Touch, Land Of Confusion, live, Living Years, Looking Back - The Living Years, Mike & the Mechanics, Mike Rutherford, Nic Collins, Over My Shoulder, Royal Concert Hall, Tim Howar, Word Of Mouth | Leave a comment

Gig review: FM- Chelmsford Social Club, Chelmsford, Essex, 21 February 2025

Posted on February 25, 2025 by andynathan

FM’s busy touring schedule took on a fresh twist when they announced an acoustic tour for the first part of 2025. it was not a totally new venture for them, indeed in the early nineties they released a successful live … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, AOR, FM, gig, Jem Davis, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, Merv Goldsworthy, Pete Jupp, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Gig review: BETH HART – Hammersmith Apollo, 20 February 2025

Posted on February 23, 2025 by Davoski

Beth Hart London 20 Feb 2025 Photo by Manuela Langotsch (8)

An evening in the company of Beth Hart is always an immersive experience. Across her long career – and arguably never as popular in the UK as right now – this eclectic singer and musician never gives anything less than … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20 Feb 2025, beth Hart, blues, concert, gig, Hammersmith Apollo, live, piano, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: SPIKE- Half Moon, Putney, London, 16 February 2025

Posted on February 19, 2025 by andynathan

The art of the raconteur, one who can tell stories about their life in an absorbing and amusing manner, is easy to attempt and difficult to carry off, as any of us who have had the misfortune to listen to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, Chris Heilmann, Dave 'Bucket' Colwell, DEL BROMHAM, gig, Matty James Cassidy, Quireboys, Spike, Stray | Leave a comment

Gig review: DAN BYRNE- Islington Academy 2, London, 9 February 2025

Posted on February 13, 2025 by andynathan

A few years ago, two of the younger generation of classic rock bands who promised to break through were Revival Black and Bigfoot. Sadly, despite releasing two albums and one respectively they called it a day when seemingly still having … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bigfoot, Dan Byrne, gig, Glenn Quinn, New Wave of Classic Rock, Revival Black, Sam Millar | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 9 February 2025

Posted on February 13, 2025 by jason

The last twelve months have been nothing short of phenomenal for Brave Rival. They have taken the blues-rock world by storm, toured extensively and released their second album, ‘Fight or Flight’ to universal praise. Fronted by the twin vocals of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 9 February 2025, blues, Brave Rival, gig review, Milton Keynes, rock, the Cinelli Brothers, The Stables | Leave a comment

Gig review: H.E.A.T- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 31 January 2025

Posted on February 5, 2025 by andynathan

Photo: Les Linyard Nights like this do not come often enough in the UK for us lovers of melodic rock, with a touring triple bill of a newer generation of acts creating a fresh take on those sounds of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Art Nation, Chez Kane, Dave Dalone, gig, H.E.A.T., Jona Tee, Kenny Leckremo, melodic rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: BROTHERS OSBORNE- Hammersmith Apollo, London, 30 January 2025

Posted on February 4, 2025 by andynathan

The lines between the once separate worlds of rock and country continue to blur. Blackberry Smoke have for some years traded on their ‘too rock for country, too country for rock’ tagline and the same is true of Brothers Osborne. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues rock, Brothers Osborne, country, country rock, Darius Rucker, gig, John Osborne, southern rock, TJ Osborne, Tyler Braden | Leave a comment

Gig review: MEDICINE HEAD- Cabbage Patch, Twickenham, 23 January 2025

Posted on January 28, 2025 by andynathan

Medicine Head may have had their moment in the (rising) sun with a number of unlikely hits in the early seventies, but singer John Fiddler is one of rock’s underappreciated names, respected enough to have been recruited by former Motts … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Andre Shapps, Belinda Campbell, blues rock, Cabbage Patch, Dave 'Bucket' Colwell, Eel Pie Club, gig, John Fiddler, Medicine Head, Paul Edwards | Leave a comment

Gig review: MAGNUM – The O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, 21 January 2025

Posted on January 26, 2025 by Davoski

It is just over a year since the sad passing of Tony Clarkin, Magnum’s songwriter, guitarist and inspiration. And now the rest of the band have reformed to celebrate his glorious words and music. Titled ‘A Passage Through Time’ this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 21 January 2025, Bob Catley, classic rock, Forum, gig, live, Magnum, melodic rock, pomp rock, review, Tony Clarkin | Leave a comment

Gig review: BAND OF FRIENDS – 229 Club, London, 12 January 2025

Posted on January 20, 2025 by andynathan

In the 30 years since his untimely death, the stock of the late Rory Gallagher continues to rise. Last year there was a new documentary shown on the BBC and hardly a week goes by without some form of tribute, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Band Of Friends, blues rock, Brendan O'Neill, Davy Knowles, Gerry McAvoy, gig, London Blues Festival, Rory Gallagher, The Too Bad Jims | Leave a comment

Gig review: PAUL McCARTNEY- 02 Arena, London, 18 December 2024

Posted on January 2, 2025 by andynathan

Whatever your musical preferences (and the Beatles were in no way one of mine growing up), an objective analysis of the most significant figures in 20th century popular music would have Paul McCartney right up at the top, possibly only … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Beatles, Bryan Ray, gig, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Paul Wix Wickens, Rusty Anderson, Wings | Leave a comment

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

Posted on December 23, 2024 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Alan Clayton, Black Eyed Sons, Cowboys in Pinstriped Suits, gig, Guy Griffin, Keith Weir, Lee Vernon, Paul Guerin, Quireboys, Ria Hall | Leave a comment

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

Posted on December 21, 2024 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Billy 'Danger' Dedman, blues rock, Brave Rival, Chloe Josephine, Donna Peters, Ed 'the Shred' Clarke, gig, Lindsey Bonnick, New Wave of Classic Rock, Thames Side Brewery, Thomas Heppell | Leave a comment

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

Posted on December 17, 2024 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Colin Kempster, DEL BROMHAM, gig, Karl Randall, Simon Rinaldo, Stray, The Cavern | Leave a comment

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

Posted on December 17, 2024 by andynathan

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 →