Author Archives: andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Atack, festival, Gabrielle de Val, gig, melodic rock, Nitrate, Remedy, Saracen, Tower Of Fire, White Skies | Leave a comment

Gig review: SHANIA TWAIN- British Summer Time, Hyde Park, 7 July 2024

Posted on July 12, 2024 by andynathan

Shania Twain being reviewed by a website devoted to rock music? Hear me out for a moment. Her multimillion selling ‘Come On Over’ album changed the relationship between the previously insular world of country and the wider rock and pop … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged British Summer Time, country, country rock, gig, Hyde Park, Shania Twain, The Corrs | Leave a comment

Gig review: SCORPIONS – Wembley Arena, London, 8 June 2024

Posted on July 8, 2024 by andynathan

As one of my all time favourite bands, and one whose commercial breakthrough came earlier in this country than most, it has been a disappointment that we have not seen more of the Scorpions in recent years. Presumably on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Extreme, Gary Cherone, gig, Klaus Meine, Love at First Sting, Mathias Jabs, Mikkey Dee, Nuno Bettencourt, Rudolf Schenker, Scorpions | Leave a comment

Gig review: TOBY JEPSON- 02 Academy 2, Islington, 9 June 2024

Posted on June 25, 2024 by andynathan

The format of a spoken word tour, interspersed with a few songs, is growing in popularity, but not everyone has the right skill set to carry it off. Toby Jepson is one such with his cunningly titled ‘My Life in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, Dave Kemp, gig, Little Angels, Matt Mitchell, Toby Jepson, Wayward Sons | Leave a comment

Gig review: RICHARD MARX – Royal Albert Hall, London, 22 May 2024

Posted on June 20, 2024 by andynathan

Richard Marx only plays the finest London venues when he comes over to the UK. Building on some memorable acoustic shows at the Union Chapel in Autumn 2022, he announced a fuller UK tour which culminated in this show at … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, gig, J. Blynn, John Oates, melodic rock, Nathan East, Richard Marx, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND – Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland, 19 May 2024

Posted on June 14, 2024 by andynathan

Less than 13 months after his pair of Hyde Park shows and fortunately recovered from an ulcer complaint that led to autumn gigs in the USA being cancelled, Bruce Springsteen was back on a longer European tour with the E … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bruce Springsteen, Croke Park, Dublin, E Street Band, gig, Jake Clemons, Max Weinberg, Nils Lofgren | Leave a comment

Album review: COLLATERAL- Should’ve Known Better

Posted on June 8, 2024 by andynathan

Cargo Records [Release date: 24.05.24] After bursting on the scene five or six years ago, Kent melodic rockers Collateral’s rise to the top has been a bumpy one – which has included the pandemic striking at the very moment they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Angelo Tristan, Collateral, Dan Weller, Louis Malagodi, melodic rock, New Wave of Classic Rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROBIN TROWER – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 28 May 2024

Posted on June 4, 2024 by andynathan

Very few of the greats of the classic era of British rock guitarists are still active- a fact brought home by the loss of Jeff Beck and Bernie Marsden in the last couple of years while still at the peak … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues rock, Chris Taggart, Connolly Hayes, Frankie Connolly, gig, guitar, Jess Hayes, Richard Watts, Robin Trower | Leave a comment

Gig review: COLLATERAL – Camden Underworld, London, 26 May 2024

Posted on June 3, 2024 by andynathan

The release of ‘Should’ve Known Better’, their excellent second album (third if you count the album of mainly remixed songs with added special guests ‘Rewired’) is a pivotal moment in Collateral’s chequered career. So it was only fitting that, after … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Album Launch, Angelo Tristan, Ben Edwards, Collateral, gig, Jack Bentley-Smith, Louis Malagodi, melodic rock, New Wave of Classic Rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

Posted on May 31, 2024 by andynathan

Two years ago, I was present all three nights as Bryan Adams played a memorable residency at the Albert Hall, playing a classic album each night (subsequently released in less than satisfactory fashion on DVD). I thought that was a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Bryan Adams, Gary Breit, gig, Keith Scott, melodic rock, Pat Steward, Reckless, Sol Walker | Leave a comment

Album review: FM – Old Habits Die Hard

Posted on May 24, 2024 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 03.05.24) FM appear to be constantly on tour, and yet between that activity they somehow find time to consistently write and release a new album every two or three years. ‘Old Habits Die Hard’ actually marks … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, FM, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, Old Habits Die Hard, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Gig review: MIDNITE CITY- Downstairs at The Dome, London, 11 May 2024

Posted on May 21, 2024 by andynathan

Midnite City gigs used to be quite rare down south, as the melodic rockers concentrated on the north and Midlands where that particular scene always seems more established. Yet in relatively short order, 11 months after they played Camden’s Black … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged gig, Josh 'Tabbie' Williams, melodic rock, Midnite City, Rob Wylde, Ryan Briggs, Shawn Charvette | Leave a comment

Gig review: KIRA MAC – Camden Underworld, London, 10 May 2024

Posted on May 15, 2024 by andynathan

Kira Mac have been making quite a name for themselves- for a new band they seem to have attracted a substantial following in a relatively short time, to the extent that by show time of this London date, the last … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged gig, Jayler, Joe Worrall, Kira Mac, New Wave of Classic Rock, Rhiannon Kira Hill | Leave a comment

Gig review: NORDA MULLEN- The Half Moon, Putney, London, 28 April 2024

Posted on May 5, 2024 by andynathan

With heritage bands augmenting their touring line-ups with additional musicians, there is a category of highly talented musicians good enough to play with the best, yet virtually unknown to the wider world. One such is Norda Mullen, who for over … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged flute, folk, folk rock, gig, Norda Mullen, Quinny and Company, The Moody Blues | Leave a comment

Gig review: SARI SCHORR- The Grace, London, 27 April 2024

Posted on May 5, 2024 by andynathan

It’s a mark of the ever growing respect East Coast powerhouse singer Sari Schorr is held in the blues world that the very best have been queuing up to collaborate with her, most recently Robin Trower joining forces on last … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Ash Wilson, blues, blues rock, gig, Matt Pearce, Matt Pearce and the Mutiny, Robin Trower, Sari Schorr | Leave a comment

Gig review: BAD TOUCH- Patterns, Brighton, 13 April 2024

Posted on April 22, 2024 by andynathan

For the thriving domestic rock scene, we have bands like Bad Touch to thank. For over a decade now, the blues rockers have been traipsing up and down the country, doubly praiseworthy as their Norfolk base is somewhat off the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bad Touch, blues rock, Electric Black, gig, Henry Gottelier, New Wave of Classic Rock, Rob Glendinning, Robbie Blake, Stevie Westwood, The Karma Effect | Leave a comment

Gig review: JUDAS PRIEST/Saxon/Uriah Heep – Wembley Arena, London, 21 March 2024

Posted on April 14, 2024 by andynathan

JUDAS PRIEST- Wembley Arena, London, 21 March 2024

For a band that so proudly proclaims their British roots, there is a case that Judas Priest have simply not toured their home country enough. In the eighties they largely neglected it for the USA with the result that I … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Andy Sneap, Bernie Shaw, Biff Byford, Brian Tatler, Doug Scarratt, gig, Glenn Tipton, heavy metal, Judas Priest, Mick Box, Nibbs Carter, Phil Lanzon, Richie Faulkner, Rob Halford, Saxon, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Gig review: SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS – Wembley Arena, London, 5 April 2024

Posted on April 14, 2024 by andynathan

It has been a good couple of years since Slash, featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, released the ‘4’ album. However these days he again has to fit solo work around Guns’ n’ Roses duties which have included stadium shows … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Brent Fitz, gig, Guns'n'Roses, hard rock, Mammoth WVH, Myles Kennedy, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Slash, sleaze rock, Todd Kerns, Wolfgang Van Halen | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOE BONAMASSA – Royal Albert Hall, London, 4 April 2024

Posted on April 10, 2024 by andynathan

As he told us midway through the set, it’s now 15 years since the relatively inexperienced Joe Bonamassa gambled in following in the footsteps of his blues rock heroes at the Royal Albert Hall. It capped a meteoric rise, just … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 4 April 2024, blues, blues rock, CalvinTurner, gig, Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith, Lemar Carter, London, Reese Winans, review, Royal Albert Hall | Leave a comment

Gig review: MR. BIG- Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 23 March 2024

Posted on March 31, 2024 by andynathan

Mr.Big’s last UK tour was here six years ago and when original drummer Pat Torpey passed away months later, the band were effectively put on ice. However the surviving three members have decided to go out one more time, with … Continue reading →