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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
Latest Album Reviews
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Album review: SELWYN BIRCHWOOD – Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues
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Album review: MIKE ZITO – Outside Or The Eastside
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Album review: HANNAH JAMES & TOBY KUHN – Where All Our Names Belong
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Album review: MARIACHI EL BRONX – Mariachi El Bronx IV
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Album review : JON ANDERSON – Survival And Other Stories / Earth Mother Earth (2 CDs / remasters)
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Album review: MYRATH – Wilderness Of Mirrors
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Latest Gig Reviews
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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 14 March 2026
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Gig review: A VERY SPECIAL EVENING OF MOTT THE HOOPLE – Riverside Studios, London, 27 February 2026
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Gig review: EMERALD MOON – Le Marquee, Peyrignac, Dordogne, SW France, 7 March 2026
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Gig review: MILKFEST, Indigo2, London, 1 March 2026
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GRTR! Greats
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Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS
Gig review: 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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Tagged 21 November 2017, Black Diamonds, Crash, Dave Dalone, Degreed, Erik Gronwall, gig, H.E.A.T., Islington Academy, Jona Tee, London, melodic rock, review
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Gig review: 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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Tagged 26 November 2017, Chris Rea, gig, Hammersmith Apollo, live, review, Road Songs For Lovers, Road To Hell, slide guitar
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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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Tagged 25 November 2017, Aladdin Sane, Birmingham, Classic Albums, classic rock, David Bowie, live review, Mike Garson, O2 Institute, rock, Roger Glover, Steve Harley
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Gig review – 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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Tagged 22 November 2017, blues, Cats In Space, classic rock, Deep Purple, Don Airey, Europe, gig, Glasgow, hard rock, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Joey Tempest, John Norum, pop rock, review, Roger Glover, Steve Morse, The Hydro
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Gig review: 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
Gig review: 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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Tagged 12 November 2017, Dokken, George Lynch, gig, Islington Academy, Jody Turner, Lynch Mob, Oni Logan, review, Rock Goddess, The Wild Lies
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Gig review: 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
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017
Tagged 15 November 2017, Alice Cooper, Fee Waybill, Manchester Arena, metal, rock, shock rock, The Mission, The Tubes, Wayne Hussey
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Gig review – 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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Tagged 9 November 2017, Black Star Riders, blues, Blues Pills, Damon Johnson, Edinburgh, gig, live, Queens Hall, review, Ricky Warwick, rock, Scott Gorham, Thin Lizzy
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Gig review: SQUEEZE – Royal Albert Hall, London, 6 November 2017
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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Tagged Chris Difford, gig, Glenn Tilbrook, London, pop, review, rock, Royal Albert Hall, Squeeze
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Gig review: JON BODEN – Cornerstones, Didcot, 9 November 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
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017
Tagged 9 November 2017, Afterglow, Bellowhead, Cornerstones, Didcot, folk, gig, Jon Boden, review, singer songwriter, Solo
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Gig review: 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
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017
Tagged 8 November 2017, FEAR, gig, Ian Mosley, Manchester Academy, Marillion, Mark Kelly, Pete Trewavas, prog, progressive, review, rock, Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery
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Gig review: 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
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017
Tagged 3 November 2017, Doom Metal, Electric Ballroom, gig, gothic metal, Gregor Mackintosh, live, Medusa, Nick Holmes, Paradise Lost, review
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Gig review: 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
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017
Tagged 4 November 2017, Chris Glen, Gary Barden, gig, Graham Bonnet, Grand Prix, live, Manchester, metal, Michael Schenker, Michael Schenker Fest, MSG, review, Ritz, Robin McAuley, rock, Steve Mann, Ted McKenna, The Departed
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Gig review: ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL- Nottingham Trent University Student Union, 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
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017
Tagged Airrace, AOR, Bailey, Blanc Faces, Brother Firetribe, Cruzh, Dare, Dave Bickler, festival, Fortune, gig, Great White, Harem Scarem, John Parr, Kix, Loverboy, Maverick, melodic rock, Moritz, review, Rockingham, The Amorettes, Vega, Vince Neil
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Gig review: MARTIN BARRE BAND, ARC, Stockton-on-Tees, 2 November 2017
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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Tagged 2 November 2017, Alan Thomson, Arc, Dan Crisp, gig, guitar, guitarist, Jethro Tull, Martin Barre Band, review, rock, Stockton-on-Tees
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Gig review: 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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Tagged 2 November 2017, Andrew Roachford, Chester, gig, Live Rooms, Mike & the Mechanics, pop, R&B, review, rock, soul
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Gig review: 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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Tagged classic rock, Dave Cousins, folk, gig, London, October 29 2017, progressive, review, rock, The Ferryman's Curse, The Strawbs, Under the Bridge
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Gig review: 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
Gig review: WISHBONE ASH/Steve Hill – 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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Tagged Andy Powell, Bob Skeat, classic rock, gig, Joe Crabtree, Mark Abrahams, Steve Hill, twin guitars, Wishbone Ash
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Gig review: 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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Tagged 19 October 2017, blues, country, gig, Grianne Duffy, London, Nell’s Jazz & Blues, review, rock
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Gig review: JARROD DICKENSON – St Pancras 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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Tagged 19 October 2017, Americana, country, gig, Jarrod Dickenson, Kings Cross Old Church, London, review, roots, singer songwriter
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Gig review: 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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Tagged 100 Club, 14 October 2017, Argus, Danny Willson, gig, London, Martin Turner, Misha Nikolic, review, Wishbone Ash
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Gig review: NAZARETH – 229 Club, London, 13 October 2017
When their seventies hit making days in the UK ended, Nazareth seemed to concentrate on less fickle foreign markets, and opportunities for more recent fans like me to see them in the UK seemed few and far between. Yet in … Continue reading
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Tagged 13 October 2017, 229 Club, Carl Sentance, gig, hard rock, Jimmy Murrison, Lee Agnew, London, Nazareth, Pete Agnew, review
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Gig review: SIN HOUSE – Spirit Of The Torrington, Old Finchleians, London N12, 15 October 2017
It’s take some gumption to start a new band when celebrating the 50th anniversary of your pro career, but then Stevie Smith, the former Bad Manners, Ruthless Blues, Salt and Long John Baldry harp player, is no ordinary performer, and … Continue reading
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Tagged Alice Cooper, Bad Manners, blues, Bobby Womack, Clive Edwards, Elmore James, gig, harmonica, J.J. Cale, John Lee Hooker, Lionheart, Long John Baldry, Nils Lofgren, Old Finchlieans, Pat Travers, review, Richard Taylor, rock, Ruthless Blues, Salt, Sin House, Spirit Of the Torrington, Steve Smith, Stevie Smith, The Right Rev Swifty, UFO, Wild Horses
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Gig review: VOODOO SIX – Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes, 29 September 2017
Skam were just finishing up their set with a dirty, full blooded version of ‘War Pigs’ as I entered the venue and wished I’d been around for a bit more. Next time maybe. The Leicester power three-piece seemed to go … Continue reading
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Tagged 29 September 2017, classic hard rock, Craufurd Arms, gig, live, Make Way For The King, review, Tony Newton, Voodoo Six
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