Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS

Gig review: SANTANA – LG Arena, Birmingham, 17 July 2013

Santana - LG Arena, Birmingham, 17 July 2013

There can be fewer pleasing combinations than the music of Santana on the hottest day of the year during an unexpected heatwave. With the rhythm section pumped up to the max, the always spiritual Carlos Santana would have us believe … Continue reading

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Gig Review: RAY DAVIES, ELVIS COSTELLO, JUSTIN CURRIE – Hyde Park,12 July 2013

Old hippies of a certain vintage reminisce fondly about the days of free festivals, which has been unthinkable to my generation,  once the corporate world cottoned on to the fact there was money to be made out of live rock … Continue reading

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Gig review: ANDY FRASER – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 6 July 2013

Andy Fraser

The return of Andy Fraser was as unexpected as some of the material he played tonight. Yes, he glanced back over his shoulder at some of the best of Free, while guitarist Chris Spedding weighed in with his hit ‘Motorbiking’ … Continue reading

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Gig review: GOV’T MULE – Under The Bridge, London, 4 July 2013

Although their reputation as primary jam band is well merited, Gov’t Mule is much more than that. Their improvisational core takes them across genres and into constantly evolving new areas that gives shows like this its cutting edge. At the … Continue reading

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Gig review: HARD ROCK CALLING (Bruce Springsteen, Black Crowes et al) – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 30 June 2013

The international world saw two sides of British life last summer. On the good side, we made a stunning success of hosting the Olympics. But a few weeks before, across town at Hyde Park came the farcical jobsworthery of pulling … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE GRANDMOTHERS OF INVENTION, Asheville,NC,2 July 2013

Whether you’re family/friends or just a person that reads my write-up’s with any regularity, you’re likely already aware of my undying love and affection for almost all things Frank Zappa. With minimal research (if you’re bored enough to do it … Continue reading

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Gig review: BONNIE RAITT, Liverpool Empire, 22 June 2013

Bonnie Raitt, Liverpool Empire, 22 June 2013

Bonnie Raitt brought some sunshine of her own to a grey and rainy Saturday night at Liverpool’s old Empire Theatre.  Armed with her famous worn Stratocaster Bonnie played songs from her new ‘Slipstream’ album plus all the old classics and … Continue reading

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Gig review: BLACKMORE’S NIGHT – Wolverhampton Grand, 1 July 2013

Blackmore

Ritchie Blackmore -  a name synonymous with rock guitar since the late 60′s has played with some of the biggest bands and co-written some of the most well known rock tracks of all time. Since 1997 he has being writing … Continue reading

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Gig review: X-UFO – Merton Manor Club, 29 June 2013

When is a tribute band not a tribute band? Well, X-UFO make no pretence to be a rival to Phil Mogg’s evergreen UFO, but the collective pedigree of the members exceeds many bands who trade under a  name with only … Continue reading

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Gig review: IAN ANDERSON – Royal Albert Hall, London, 30 June 2013

Ian Anderson

It’s 45 years since Ian Anderson first trod the boards at the Albert Hall with Jethro Tull at a charity show. And now with the apparent departure (temporarily or otherwise) of long time guitarist Martin Barre, he’s shed the Tull … Continue reading

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Gig Review: MARCUS BONFANTI – Borderline, London, 21 June 2013

Marcus Bonfanti seems to have come of age with his powerful third album ‘Shake The Walls’. Clearly I was not the only one to notice. There was a really good crowd in at the Borderline. And when Bonfanti peered out … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEVE WINWOOD, The Lowry, Salford, 24 June 2013

STEVE WINWOOD, The Lowry, Salford, 24 June 2013

If Steve Winwood’s only banter tonight included playful reference to both the ‘vintage’ crowd and the vintage music,  we didn’t need to worry.  The sheer historical potency – and nostalgia – was what the vintage crowd expected and what Winwood … Continue reading

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Gig Review : STATUS QUO – Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, 23 June 2013

This gig was part of a weekend billed as ‘Rockin’ The Stadium’ which saw the home ground of the mighty Falkirk FC being taken over for a musical extravaganza. Days one and two were of little interest and didn’t exactly … Continue reading

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Gig review: TRACER, The Plug, Sheffield, 8 June 2013

Tracer - Sheffield, The Plug, 8 June 2013

As normal with gigs at The Plug they are preceded with an afternoon session at Nelsons Rock bar which also usually hosts any aftershow meet and greets that are happening. This works very well as the bar is just round … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE MOODY BLUES, London O2 Arena, 21 June 2013

The Moody Blues, London O2 Arena, 21 June 2013

First time seeing a rock concert at the O2 (my previous trip was to see my daughter performing as part of the massed choirs in Voice In A Million) and it’s an impressive venue, with a sound better than Wembley … Continue reading

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Gig Review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL – DAY 3 – Donington Park, 16 June 2013

When the alarm went off on Sunday morning it was a struggle to drag myself out of bed. After two days of rocking I was suffering from a bad case of metal fatigue (sorry!) but soon rallied at the thought … Continue reading

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Gig Review : DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL – DAY 2 – Donington Park,15 June 2013

Saturday dawned bright, sunny and cold!  It was an early start to ensure we were in prime position for the opening band of the day, rock legends UFO.  My fellow scribe, Andy Nathan, was another early riser, keen to see … Continue reading

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Gig Review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL – DAY 1 – Donington Park,14 June 2013

First a quick recap of last year’s Download festival, mud, mud and more mud, oh and some cracking rock music. After the mudfest of last year even the hardiest of rock fans must have thought twice before shelling out for … Continue reading

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Gig review: MICHAEL KATON – Beaverwood Club,Chislehurst,Kent,13 June 2013

‘Boogie All Over Your Head’ the title of Michael Katon’s debut album says it all really. Rockaboogie takes on a whole different meaning in the company of the MKB. It seems years since the Detroit boogie legend last visited these … Continue reading

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Gig review: JOE SATRIANI – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 11 June 2013

Joe Satriani - Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 11 June 2013

Up in the circle of the ornate Philharmonic Hall there was a distinct whiff of charity shop.  This was a slightly bizarre change from  the whiff of bowel disorder that one often encounters at gigs where the audience is of a certain … Continue reading

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Gig review: BON JOVI, Etihad Stadium, Manchester, 8 June 2013

Bon Jovi - Manchester Etihad Stadium, 8 June 2013

2013 has been a challenging year to Keep the Faith for Bon Jovi fans. Not only was their ‘What About Now’ CD perhaps the lamest of their career, but for undisclosed personal reasons Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi’s right hand … Continue reading

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Gig review: RICK SPRINGFIELD – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 4 June 2013

Of all the acts big on American radio in the eighties who were no more than cult figures over here, Rick Springfield has been one of the most elusive. Despite the odd trip to Europe for the likes of Sweden … Continue reading

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Gig review: JOURNEY, WHITESNAKE, Wembley Arena, 28 May 2013

Thunder - Manchester MEN, 23 May 2013 - Photo by Steve Goudie

The package tours of two or three bands with similar appeal, popular in America for so many years, are now a regular feature in the UK.  Journey were last here on an AOR triple bill with Foreigner and Styx two … Continue reading

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Gig Review: MICHAEL SCHENKER – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 31 May 2013

Interview edit: Michael Schenker, 5 December 2012 Michael talks about ‘Temple Of Rock’ and future plans First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on 9 December 2012 (An extended, podcast version of this interview is available here) In a … Continue reading

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Gig review: Johnny’s Rock N Roll Show – THE ZOMBIES, ARGENT, Aylesbury, 2 June 2013

Johnny

Two years on, following a life-changing trampoline accident, Johnny Beer Timms has maintained a warming sense of humour as he presided over this evening’s tribute and fundraiser. The guitarists Danny Prendergast and Jerry Playle provided a tranquil and reflective acoustic … Continue reading

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