Author Archives: andynathan

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

Posted on November 27, 2024 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Ayron Jones, Ben Wells, Black Stone Cherry, Chris Robertson, gig, Jen Ledger, John Cooper, John Fred Young, Skillet, southern rock, Steve Jewell | Leave a comment

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

Posted on November 25, 2024 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 22 November 2024, Badly Drawn Boy, Chris Difford, gig, Glenn Tilbrook, London, Melvin Duffy, Roundhouse, Simon Hanson, Squeeze, Stephen Large | Leave a comment

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

Posted on November 19, 2024 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues rock, Cardinal Black, Chris Buck, gig, New Wave of Classic Rock, soul, Tom Hollister | Leave a comment

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

Posted on November 17, 2024 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged gig, glam rock, Jez Davies, Suzi Quatro, Tim Smith, Tommy Schneller | Leave a comment

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

Posted on November 14, 2024 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Aaron Bond, blues, blues rock, Chantel McGregor, gig, Grace Bond, When Rivers Meet, Xander and the Peace Pirates | Leave a comment

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

Posted on November 11, 2024 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Americana, blues rock, Cinelli Brothers, country, Demi Marriner, Elles Bailey, gig, Joe Wilkins, Jonny Henderson, roots rock | Leave a comment

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

Posted on October 31, 2024 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Alan Nimmo, Arran Day, blues, blues rock, gig, John Hartwell, Jonny Dyke, King King, Stevie Nimmo, These Wicked Rivers | Leave a comment

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

Posted on October 29, 2024 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, FM, gig, Jem Davis, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, Steve Overland, The Carlisle, White Skies | Leave a comment

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

Posted on October 28, 2024 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Attracted to Danger, gig, Leonie Jakobi, New Wave of Classic Rock, the New Roses, Timmy Rough | Leave a comment

Gig review: FIREFEST – Manchester Academy, 11-13 October 2024

Posted on October 27, 2024 by andynathan

For a decade through to 2014, Firefest built a reputation that most festivals would kill for. It wasn’t just the stellar line ups of melodic hard rock acts, from the rising stars through to long dormant bands from the eighties … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Atlantic, Cats In Space, Coney Hatch, festival, Firefest, Gabrielle de Val, gig, Grand Prix, Heavy Pettin', Hurricane, Jaded Hard, Jelusick, Kingdom Of Madness, Lionheart, Lost Weekend, Mad Max, melodic rock, Michael Bomann, Midnite City, Oliver's Army, Overland, Quiet Riot, Robin McAuley, Skagarack, Supremacy, Touch | Leave a comment

Gig review: SCARLET REBELS- The Garage, London, 8 October 2024

Posted on October 20, 2024 by andynathan

In our healthy British rock scene Scarlet Rebels are one of our shining lights. The Llanelli quartet now have two top 20 albums under their belt with the result that this extensive UK tour featured a London show at a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Carl Oag, Chris Jones, Gary Doyle, gig, Morganway, New Wave of Classic Rock, Scarlet Rebels, The Hot One Two, Wayne Doyle | Leave a comment

Gig review: MARTIN TURNER – 100 Club, London, 3 October 2024

Posted on October 9, 2024 by andynathan

2024 has seen Wishbone Ash founder member Martin Turner tour a set based around the Live Dates Volume Two album: perhaps less heralded than its predecessor, this 1980 release shows the ‘Mark 2’ phase of the band at their finest … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 100 Club, Danny Willson, gig, Live Dates Volume Two, Martin Turner, Misha Nikolic, Sonny Flint, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLUE NATION- The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 27 September 2024

Posted on October 5, 2024 by andynathan

Blue Nation are a band making a growing name for themselves. They’ve actually been around quite some while, but about 18 months ago I’d been impressed enough by their support slot with Laurence Jones to buy a CD, so the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Blue Nation, blues rock, gig, Luke Weston, Neil Murdoch, Nick Sharman, The Cavern | Leave a comment

Gig review: NICK LOWE AND LOS STRAITJACKETS- London Palladium, 24 September 2024

Posted on September 29, 2024 by andynathan

Nick Lowe is one of rock’s most distinguished statesmen, with a history that includes his time in Brinsley Schwarz, seen as the original pub rockers, then a mainstay of the new wave as producer, songwriter and performer. Indeed there is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Andy Fairweather Low, gig, Los Straitjackets, New Wave, NICK LOWE, Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets, pub rock | Leave a comment

Gig review:TYKETTO – Islington Academy, London, 12 September 2024

Posted on September 16, 2024 by andynathan

Last year Tyketto were out on a triple co-headliner with Dare and FM which culminated here at Islington Academy. This year, on the heels of a couple of outdoor festival shows, they took top billing on another three band bill, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Dan Byrne, Danny Vaughn, Ged Rylands, gig, Harry Scott Elliott, Little Caesar, melodic rock, Ron Young, Tyketto | Leave a comment

Book review: Rock Classics – MEAT LOAF – BAT OUT OF HELL by Geoffrey Feakes

Posted on September 16, 2024 by andynathan

Sonicbond Publishing (Publication date: 26.04.24) Having issued numerous tomes in their two series of ‘On Track’ song by song analysis, and looking at a band in a particular decade, Sonicbond take this to a fresh level of detail with a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Bat Out Of Hell, book, Geoffrey Feakes, Jim Steinman, Meat Loaf | Leave a comment

Gig review: CASSIDY PARIS – The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 7 August 2024

Posted on August 30, 2024 by andynathan

Australian singer Cassidy Paris is almost a veteran at 21, having recorded her first EP at 16, and chalked up a fair few air miles since including to the UK. She’s played at various festivals and support slots but summer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 7 August 2024, Alex Rogowski, Cassidy Paris, gig, London, melodic rock, Raynes Park, review, Steve Janevski, The Cavern, Tom Rogowski | Leave a comment

Album review: CATS IN SPACE – Fire In The Night Live

Posted on August 29, 2024 by andynathan

Harmony Factory (Release date 05.07.24) In the seventies, the double live album was the apogee of a band’s career, and indeed greats like Thin Lizzy, UFO and Peter Frampton all made what most people consider their definitive record that way. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Stewart, Cats In Space, Damien Edwards, Dean Howard, Greg Hart, live album, melodic rock | Leave a comment

Gig review- H.E.A.T, TYKETTO, DARE – Chepstow Castle, 17 August 2024

Posted on August 28, 2024 by andynathan

The Great British outdoors now caters to the infinite demand for outdoor summer gigs in a variety of settings: farms and country parks, stately homes and now concerts in the grounds of historic castles seem to be the latest concept, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Castell Roc, Chris Childs, Danny Vaughn, Dare, Darren Wharton, Dave Dalone, Don Crash, gig, H.E.A.T., Harry Scott Elliott, Jimmy Jay, Jona Tee, Kenny Leckremo, Marc Roberts, melodic rock, Tyketto, Vinny Burns | Leave a comment

Gig review: FIREVOLT FESTIVAL – Whitebottom Farm, Stockport, 9-11 August 2024

Posted on August 23, 2024 by andynathan

I will freely tell anyone who will listen that Firevolt has, within a very short space of time, become my favourite festival in the UK. The festival is in beautiful surroundings, on a farm at the end of a delightful … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Crashdiet, Darren Wharton, Dead Man's Whiskey, Doomsday Outlaw, festival, Firevolt, Florence Black, gig, Gun, Jayler, Karma Effect, Kira Mac, Laurence Jones, Loz Campbell, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, Ransom, Renegade, Revenant, South Of Salem, Stone Broken, The Hot One Two, The Last Internationale, The Treatment, Thieves Of Liberty, Trucker Diablo, Unknown Refuge, Vandenberg, Vintage Caravan, We Three Kings, White Tyger, Xander and the Peace Pirates | Leave a comment

Album review: BRAVE RIVAL- Fight or Flight

Posted on August 16, 2024 by andynathan

Independent (Release Date 16.08.24) Brave Rival have become one of my favourite live bands over the past 18 months, with brilliant dual female vocals, excellent musicianship and a warm hearted stage show. 2022’s impressive debut album ‘Life’s Machine’ was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Billy Dedman, blues rock, Brave Rival, Chloe Jospehine, Donna Peters, Ed Clarke, Fight or Flight, Lindsey Bonnick | Leave a comment

Gig review: MAID OF STONE FESTIVAL – Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent, 20 July 2024

Posted on August 14, 2024 by andynathan

Over its five years Ramblin’ Man Festival in Kent established itself as one of the festivals of choice for us middle-aged rockers with a relaxed atmosphere and selection of bands from variety of classic rock genres, both old and new. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Daxx and Roxane, festival, gig, Maid of Stone, Scarlet Rebels, South Of Salem, the Commoners, The Warning, Those Damn Crows, Tyketto, Wayward Sons, When Rivers Meet, Wolfmother | Leave a comment

Gig review: MALMO MELODIC – Plan B, Malmo, Sweden, 27-29 July 2024

Posted on August 7, 2024 by andynathan

Scandinavia, and Sweden in particular, is the undisputed epicentre of the melodic rock community with a seemingly endless stream of bands emerging. There have been festivals in Malmo pre-pandemic (Melodic Rock Fest and the Swedish AOR Convention) so when last … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 7th Crystal, Alicate, AOR, Boys From Heaven, Care of Night, Chez Kane, Dare, Darren Wharton, festival, Gaeleri, gig, Grand, Houston, JD Miller, melodic rock, Nubian Rose, Perfect Plan, Pretty Maids, Remedy, Romeo's Daughter, Ronnie Atkins, Roulette, Streetlight, Transatlantic Radio, Wildness | Leave a comment

Gig review: AC/DC – Wembley Stadium, London, 3 July 2024

Posted on July 22, 2024 by andynathan

Over recent years, AC/DC seem to have transcended our own world of rock’n’ roll to have a wider cultural resonance. Fans range from Prince William who allegedly works out to Thunderstruck’ to Ally McCoist whose wide-eyed ‘is that AC/DC?’ enthusiasm … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AC/DC, Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Chris Chaney, gig, Matt Laug, Pretty Reckless, PWRUP, Stevie Young, Taylor Momsen | Leave a comment

Gig review: TOWER OF FIRE FESTIVAL – Rebellion, Manchester, 29 June 2024

Posted on July 16, 2024 by andynathan

Although the UK live scene is thriving, thanks largely to the efforts of the New Wave of Classic Rock movement, those of us with a specific interest in the melodic rock and AOR scene, weaned on the glory years of … Continue reading →