Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS

Gig review: BAD TOUCH/MOLLIE MARRIOTT- Islington Academy 2, London, 26 November 2017

BAD TOUCH - Islington Academy 2, London, 26 November 2017

The old saying that it takes years to become an overnight sensation was never truer in the case of Norfolk band Bad Touch. I’ve seen them play numerous support slots over the years but was unaware until singer Stevie Westwood … Continue reading

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Gig review: BRIAN DOWNEY’S ALIVE AND DANGEROUS – Nells Jazz and Blues, West Kensington, 25 November 2017

BRIAN DOWNEY

If Philip Lynott was the creative force and public image of Thin Lizzy and their twin lead guitars their defining musical sound, Brian Downey was the rock on which the band was based. His understated but effective drumming style was … Continue reading

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Gig review: COLIN BLUNSTONE – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 24 November 2017

COLIN BLUNSTONE – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 24 November 2017

In an era when the term ‘The Voice’ generates much derision among rock fans, Colin Blunstone is here to remind us of the staple, old school values that have continued to provide a bedrock for the quality end of the … Continue reading

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Gig review: H.E.A.T. – Islington Academy, London, 21 November 2017

H.E.A.T.- Islington Academy, London, 21 November 2017

H.E.A.T.’s return to the stage, hot on the heels of their long delayed, controversial but in my view excellent ‘Into The Great Unknown’ album, was eagerly anticipated. However November is a notoriously crowded month in the gig calendar, which this … Continue reading

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Gig review: CHRIS REA – Hammersmith Apollo, 26 November 2017

CHRIS REA – Hammersmith Apollo, 26 November 2017

With a fine album of new material nicely tucked away in the kit bag, Chris Rea was out on tour for the first time since 2014. Songs about the road feature heavily in the set, so it’s no surprise that … Continue reading

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Gig review: MIKE GARSON performs Aladdin Sane – Birmingham O2 Institute, 25 November 2017

Lovers of 70s-era David Bowie have been in for a real treat this year. Not only have we had Tony Visconti and original Spider from Mars, Woody Woodmansey, touring the Ziggy Stardust album in full, we now have virtuoso Bowie … Continue reading

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Gig review – DEEP PURPLE – Hydro, Glasgow, 22 November 2017

DEEP PURPLE - Hydro, Glasgow, 22 November 2017

On the 22nd June 1985 I made a very long trip south, on the oldest bus known to man to stand in a flooded field near Stevenage, to witness the return of Deep Purple mark 2 at Knebworth. It was a … Continue reading

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Gig review: HRH PROG VI – Pwllheli, North Wales, 17-18 November 2017

Edgar Broughton - HRH PROG VI - Pwllheli, North Wales, 17-18 November 2017

David Randall writes… Friday Edgar Broughton opened the proceedings on Stage 1 without his band but with tales of daring-do over a career spanning nearly 50 years and since his signing to the Harvest label in 1968.  Apparently he presided … Continue reading

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Gig review: LYNCH MOB – Islington Academy, London, 12 November 2017

LYNCH MOB- Islington Academy, London, 12 November 2017

A very rare appearance from former Dokken guitar maestro George Lynch – and the first with his band Lynch Mob in the capital since 1990 – should have been the hottest ticket in London town. It was therefore something of … Continue reading

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Gig review: ALICE COOPER – Manchester Arena, 15 November 2017

ALICE COOPER - Manchester Arena, 15 November 2017

The release of Killer in 1971 was a defining moment in my love affair with rock and I’ve waited 40 plus years to see Alice perform with what remains of the original Alice Cooper band, Glen Buxton having passed away … Continue reading

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Gig review – BLACK STAR RIDERS – Queens Hall, Edinburgh, 9 November 2017

BLACK STAR RIDERS - Queens Hall, Edinburgh, 9 November 2017

During tonight’s gig Black Star Riders frontman Ricky Warwick took time out during the show to remind us that the band have now been a around for five years. In that time a few members have come and gone and … Continue reading

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Gig review: SQUEEZE – Royal Albert Hall, London, 6 November 2017

Squeeze - BEARDED THEORY FESTIVAL, Catton Hall, Derbyshire, 26-29 May 2016

Nearly 40 years after emerging as one of the best bands from that burst of creativity known at the time as the New Wave,  Squeeze are not content with the easy option coasting on the Rewind-style nostalgia circuit. Instead the … Continue reading

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Gig review: JON BODEN – Cornerstones, Didcot, 9 November 2017

The Best of 2017

A first for me a gig in walking distance of my home! Cornerstones is a cosy, modern theatre. It was a sold out show to see former Bellowhead frontman Jon Boden play a solo gig in support of his recently … Continue reading

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Gig review: MARILLION – Manchester Academy, 8 November 2017

MARILLION - Manchester Academy, 8 November 2017

Ok, so I did say the new album would be a grower when reviewing it last August! Don’t lynch me, it’s just that I do like the more straight-ahead romantic side of Marillion which is a little obscured on the … Continue reading

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Gig review: PARADISE LOST – Electric Ballroom, London, 3 November 2017

PARADISE LOST – Electric Ballroom, London, 3 November 2017

The Electric Ballroom is a great venue. Too long since my last visit. And too long since I last caught live these esteemed architects of gothic metal, Paradise Lost. What a splendid night of re-acquaintance all round. But first, American … Continue reading

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Gig review: MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST– O2 Ritz, Manchester, 4 November 2017

MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST– O2 Ritz, Manchester – 4 November 2017

Around this time of year there are cries around the country of ‘Christmas gets earlier every year’ as the first decorations are spotted and every TV ad features snowy scenes and perfectly wrapped presents. Manchester took this a step further … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL- Nottingham Trent University Student Union, 20-22 October 2017

Loverboy -  ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL, 20-22 October 2017

Though this was the third year of Rockingham Festival , the natural successor to the much loved Firefest in its autumnal Nottingham position, it really felt as if the Festival came of age. Having settled on a format that works … Continue reading

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Gig review: MARTIN BARRE BAND, ARC, Stockton-on-Tees, 2 November 2017

Martin Barre - Great British Rock & Blues Festival 2015

Despite a 4am collective jet-lagged wake-up call – no doubt nudged on by their just-closed nine week US tour – the Martin Barre Band opened the first date of a short UK tour with a swift instrumental, followed by crowd … Continue reading

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Gig review: ANDREW ROACHFORD – Live Rooms, Chester, 2 November 2017

ANDREW ROACHFORD - Live Rooms, Chester, 2 November 2017

Andrew Roachford has spent much of 2017 gigging with Mike + The Mechanics – during which time he was described in our review as ‘the epitome of cool.’  We should be grateful, therefore, that he can find the time to … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE STRAWBS – Under The Bridge, London, 29 October 2017

THE STRAWBS - Under The Bridge, London, 29 October 2017

As a kid in the 70s I do recall frequent radio plays of the Strawbs novelty hit ‘Part Of The Union’ in what was that fractious decade for industrial relations. And as an adult and Sandy Denny fanatic, the latter’s … Continue reading

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Gig review: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD – London Blues Fest at Indigo, 02 London, 28 October 2017

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD – London Blues Fest at Indigo, 02 London, 28 October 2017

Right now Kenny Wayne Shepherd is at the height of his powers. He’s a modern day techno-blues man who marries speed with a range of contrasting attacks. He explores feel and tonal variety as part of an avalanche of bluesy … Continue reading

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Gig review: WISHBONE ASH/Steve Hill – Islington Academy, London, 19 October 2017

WISHBONE ASH - Islington Academy, London, 19 October 2017

A new chapter has begun in Wishbone Ash’s long and distinguished history, with master guitarist Andy Powell accompanied by a new partner in Yorkshireman Mark Abrahams,  following Muddy Manninen’s departure after twelve years. They remain one of the hardest working … Continue reading

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Gig review: GRAINNE DUFFY – Nell’s Jazz & Blues, 19 October 2017

GRAINNE DUFFY - Nell’s Jazz & Blues, 19 October 2017

Irish singer-songwriter and guitarist, Grainne Duffy, has been receiving plenty of plaudits since her debut album ‘Out Of The Dark’ was released back in 2007. She has tended to be labelled a blues artist and, not having seen her before … Continue reading

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Gig review: JARROD DICKENSON – St Pancras Old Church, London, 19 October 2017

JARROD DICKENSON - Kings Cross Old Church, London, 19 October 2017

Win a vinyl copy of Jarrod Dickenson’s new album!  Listen in to the singer songwriter sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio (Mon-Fri, 14:00- 16:00 GMT) until Wednesday 25 October.  ‘Ready The Horses’ is the Featured Album. Set to the … Continue reading

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Gig review: MARTIN TURNER – 100 Club, London, 14 October 2017

MARTIN TURNER - 100 Club, London, 14 October 2017

You could argue that Wishbone Ash founder member Martin Turner has overstayed the classic album concept with regular live renditions of their 1972 classic ‘Argus’ over the past decade.  Yet his band’s performance of the album at Ramblin Man Fair … Continue reading

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