Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS

Gig review – STONEDEAF FESTIVAL – Newark Showground, 25 August 2018

STONEDEAF FESTIVAL - Newark Showground, 25 August 2018

This festival had my attention from the first announcement. A group of enthusiasts lamenting the demise of the old one day Monsters Of Rock festivals wanted to resurrect the format for those sick of the multi day, multi stage festivals. … Continue reading

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Gig review: GRAHAM BONNET BAND – The Tivoli, Buckley, 24 August 2018

GRAHAM BONNET BAND - The Tivoli, Buckley, 24 August 2018

Since we last saw the honourable Graham Bonnet, he has turned 70.  In the interim he’s been gigging with Schenker, playing festivals, and recording a new album.  This is a great credit to Bonnet -  in a topsy-turvy world that … Continue reading

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Gig review: IRON MAIDEN – 02 Arena, London, 10 August 2018

IRON MAIDEN- 02 Arena, London, 10 August 2018

Photo: Andy Nathan It would not be an exaggeration to describe Iron Maiden as the people’s band. They inspire remarkable loyalty among their vast army of fans – I don’t think I have never seen a higher percentage of gig … Continue reading

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Gig review: CROPREDY FESTIVAL, 9-11 August 2018

CROPREDY FESTIVAL, 9-11 August 2018

Day One: Thursday Cropredy 2018 kicks off with Fairport Convention doing a brief twenty-minute acoustic stint. We’ll be hearing a lot more from them later on in the weekend, of course, but a short opening set from the hosts has … Continue reading

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Gig review: GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL (Planet Rock Stage) – Olympia, London, 9 August 2018

Broken Witt Rebels - GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL - Olympia, London, 9 August 2018

While musical entertainment has been supplied for many years at the Great British Beer Festival, it has tended to be a bit ‘end of the pier’, whether it be oompah bands or covers acts. However this year the penny finally … 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: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL DAY 3 – 29 July 2018

Black Star Riders - STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL DAY 3 - 29 July 2018

There was a tentative start to Sunday as the dreadful weather continued with what can only be described as monsoon rains decided to throw in some 40mph gusts for good measure. The organisers opened the arena early so those in … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL DAY 2 – 28 July 2018

Aaron Buchanan - STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL DAY 2 - 28 July 2018

When the weather is already a little inclement, you’re tempting fate slightly when the first band of the day play their tracks “Hurricane” and “Thunder Child”, but that’s exactly what The Bad Flowers did. If the rain hadn’t woke everybody … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL DAY 1 – 27 July 2018

Phil Campbell - STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL DAY 1 - 27 July 2018

Even if you have never been to Steelhouse Festival, you may have heard tell of the road up the top of the mountain that is home to the highest festival in the UK. I can assure you, all these stories … Continue reading

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Gig review: DEL AMITRI – Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, 26 July 2018

DEL AMITRI - Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, 26 July 2018

Back in the nineties Del Amitri were chart regulars, the Scots’ wryly bittersweet but cleverly structured, melodic songs making them one of the few bright spots in a bleak musical climate, at least for me. But the new millennium has … Continue reading

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Gig review: THUNDERSTICK – Leo’s Red Lion, Gravesend, 28 July 2018

THUNDERSTICK - Leo’s Red Lion, Gravesend, 28 July 2018

Back in the early 80s after a three-album stint with Samson, masked drummer and NWOBHM pioneer Thunderstick (Barry Graham Purkis) formed a band of the same name. Female-fronted, first with Ana Marie Borg then with Jodee Valentine, it allowed Purkis … Continue reading

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Gig review: PEARL JAM – O2 Arena, London, 17 July 2018

Sometimes a gig so good comes along that any meaningful comparisons are blown away. Almost out of the blue, Pearl Jam delivered the kind of show that raises the arena-rock bar for all those that tread these boards after them. … Continue reading

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Gig review: THUNDER – Caerphilly Castle, Wales, 14 July 2018

THUNDER - Caerphilly Castle, Wales, 14 July 2018

When someone mentions Thunder in Wales it is more often than not followed by a downpour, it is Wales after all.  However in the current hot weather boom there was no sign of the wet stuff, and thankfully this Thunder … Continue reading

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Gig review: VEGA – Camden Underworld, London, 7 July 2018

VEGA - Camden Underworld, London, 7 July 2018

Vega are certainly putting in the hard yards to capitalise on their excellent new album ‘Only Human’ with arguably the UK’s leading contemporary melodic rock band playing an extensive tour, culminating in this London date. While they have yet to … Continue reading

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Gig review: CORNBURY FESTIVAL – The Great Tew Estate, Oxfordhire, 14 July, 2018

CORNBURY FESTIVAL - July, 2018

After 14 years and appearances by some of the world’s biggest names in music the Cornbury Music Festival held its ‘last ever’ showcase of music and performances in July last year. However, barely three months after many fans asked for it … Continue reading

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Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Day 2, Mote Park, Maidstone, 1 July 2018

The Cult - RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR - Day 2, Mote Park, Maidstone, 1 July 2018

Latest festival review ! (July 2019) The fourth renewal of this Classic, Southern, Blues and Prog festival had been brought forward by a month or so. It had also struggled to capture the imagination of many with its low-key roster. … Continue reading

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Gig review: STONE FREE FESTIVAL – Day 2 – 02 Arena, London, 17 June 2018

Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman - STONE FREE FESTIVAL- DAY 2 - 02 Arena, London, 17 June 2018

If day one of Stone Free exhibited classic rock at its heaviest and loudest, the Sunday – at least in the main O2 Arena- had a more progressive and thoughtful bent to it. However the Orange Amps stage was still … Continue reading

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Gig review: STONE FREE FESTIVAL – Day 1 – O2, London, 16 June 2018

The Scorpions - STONE FREE FESTIVAL, O2, London, 16 June 2018

Photo: Andy Nathan The Stone Free festival once again took over the O2 in London for a weekend of metal, prog and some of the best live whistling ever heard! Andy Nathan and Dave Atkinson were there to capture all … Continue reading

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Gig review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL – Donington Park, 8-10 June 2018

It was 30 years ago that I attended Donington for the first time for a Monsters of Rock festival (as it then was) that was summed up by the contemporary Kerrang! headline ‘The Triumph and the Tragedy’. A record crowd … Continue reading

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Gig review: VOLBEAT – ABC, Glasgow, 6 June 2018

VOLBEAT – ABC, Glasgow, 6 June 2018

There can’t be many bands who have their own personal busker, but walking down Sauchiehall Street towards tonight’s venue I could hear the strains of an acoustic guitar and someone blasting out a decent version of ‘Lola Montez’. Apparently the enterprising gentleman had been there most of the … Continue reading

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Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – SSE Arena, Wembley, London, 30 May 2018

BRYAN ADAMS- SSE Arena, Wembley, London, 30 May 2018

When Bryan Adams released his ‘Ultimate’ album last year, I wondered wearily whether the world really needed yet another compilation to add to his catalogue, as there surely can be few potential fans left unaware of the best known elements … Continue reading

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Gig review: BEARDED THEORY, Catton Park, Derbyshire, 24-27 May 2018

BEARDED THEORY 24-27 May 2018

Thursday 24 May Thursday morning and the weekend was finally here.  Bearded Theory was finally here.  So, giddy as a kitten in a box of tinsel we loaded up and hit the road. The sun shone brighter as we drew … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE SHARPEEZ – Half Moon, Putney, 30 May 2018

THE SHARPEEZ – Half Moon, Putney, 30 May 2018

British rhythm and blues is alive and well in the capable hands of The Sharpeez. They set the bar high for a genre of music that was almost rendered extinct by American rebranding of the genre as contemporary urban music. … Continue reading

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Gig review: DAN BAIRD AND HOMEMADE SIN/Austin Gold – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 21 May 2018

DAN BAIRD AND HOMEMADE SIN – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 21 May 2018

Dan Baird And Homemade Sin remain a glorious anomaly in the contemporary rock scene.  They are a southern rock band with one foot in Nashville and one foot in kick-ass rock and roll, all tied together by a lyrical twist. … Continue reading

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Gig review: JACK BRUCE: SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE – Tribute Concert Screening – The Curzon, London, 14 May 2018

JACK BRUCE: SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE

Introduced by Scottish DJ Edith Bowman who later anchors a Q&A session, the Kyla Simone Bruce directed ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ is an aptly titled film. It represents the triumph of the collective spirit over potential adversity, as the musicians … Continue reading

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