Category Archives: Special Events

Gig review: THE VAPORS Album Launch – The Water Rats, London, 27 February 2025

Posted on March 7, 2025 by jason

The return of Guildford New Wave Power Popper’s The Vapors in 2016 after thirty-four years away from the scene was cause for celebration amongst the sharper observers on the scene. Best known for the iconic hit ‘Turning Japanese’ and their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 27 February 2025, Album Launch, Dave Fenton, London, New Wave, pop rock, power pop, review, Steve Smith, The Vapors, The Water Rats, Wasp In A Jar | Leave a comment

Gig review: TIM ARNOLD ‘Super Connected’ – The Cockpit Theatre, London, Tuesday 4 June 2024

Posted on June 13, 2024 by jason

Where do we start with effect of screen addiction and the role social media plays on one’s mental health? This is what singer/songwriter Tim Arnold has been researching for the past seven years culminating in the release of his latest … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged gig, Kate Alderton, Lindsay Kemp, London, pop, pop rock, review, Sarah Kershaw, special live event, Stephen Fry, Super Connected, the The Cockpit Theatre, Tim Arnold, Tuesday 4th June 2024 | Leave a comment

Gig review: Quarantune Rocks Weekender 2023 -The Victoria Bikers Pub, Coalville, October 6 & 7 2023

Posted on October 14, 2023 by jason

Quarantune Rocks was created by friends Karen Clayton and Pamela Hinchliffe, during COVID-19 to support rock fans and live music in an online group. The not-for-profit festival is in its third year, run by music lovers and aims to support … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged classic rock, Coalville, Gypsy Pistoleros, hard rock, metal, Music Venue Trust, October 6 & 7 2023, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, the Quarantune Rocks Weekender 2023, The Victoria Bikers Pub | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROCKNYTT CRUISE- Viking Line ‘Cinderella’, Stockholm, 21-22 April 2023

Posted on May 14, 2023 by andynathan

The rock cruise is now a well established business model in the world of classic rock, as fans of rock’s golden age reach their Saga-eligible years and are looking for new experiences and greater comfort than sleeping in tents and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 21-22 April 2023, AOR, Captain Black Beard, cruise, Dare, DEMON, Emotional Fire, Gathering of Kings, Grand Slam, Houston, melodic rock, Remedy, Rocknytt Cruise, Russ Ballard, Sweden, Weapon, Wildness | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK BEAR KISS – Black Bear Kiss (and album launch – 3 March 2023)

Posted on March 10, 2023 by jason

[Release date 03.03.23] Black Bear Kiss are a 4 piece upbeat rock band, who formed in 2016 by long term collaborators and good friends Rob Jones (guitar) and Chris Leech (vocals), with drummer Chris Bagnall and bassist Rich Sach coming … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Album Launch, Black Bear Kiss, Cannock, funk rock, gig, hard rock, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, review, rock, self-titled album, the Station | Leave a comment

Gig review: BOTH SIDES NOW: Homage to the Songs of Joni Mitchell – The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, Wednesday 8 February 2023

Posted on February 13, 2023 by jason

Both Sides Now - A Tribute To The Songs Of Joni Mitchell

Without doubt one of the finest and most influential songwriters and performers of the past six decades, Joni Mitchell has a unique style that has seen countless music fans fall under her spell. Since her debut performing in local clubs … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Both Sides Now: Homage to the Songs of Joni Mitchell, Bury St Edmunds, Classic Albums, classic pop, folk, gig review, MIM GREY, The Apex, tribute, Wednesday 8 February 2023 | Leave a comment

Gig review: DEWOLFF – Paradiso, Amsterdam, Thursday 5 January 2023

Posted on January 10, 2023 by jason

DeWolff-Love-Death-And-In-Between-150x150

New Album – Love, Death & In Between (Album Launch Party Gig) GRTR! has been trumpeting the extraordinarily versatile southern rock, psychedelic/blues uber-combo, DeWolff, for years now and they have really excelled themselves with their new album, “Love, Death & … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Album Launch, Amsterdam, big band, blues, blues rock, DeWolff, gig, Paradiso, review, rock, Thursday 5 January 2023, van de Poel | Leave a comment

Gig review: CORNBURY Music Festival – The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, 8-10 July 2022

Posted on July 9, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Friday 8 July So good to be back at Cornbury as it has been three long years since the last one. Sadly this year’s is billed as the Last Hurrah, although the organiser Hugh has said that before… Tears in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged classic rock, Cornbury, country pop, Daylight Robbery, festival, gig, July 2022, Magic Numbers, review, Steve Overland, Steve Winwood, Stone Foundation, the Christians, The Darkness, The Shires | Leave a comment

Gig review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL, Donington Park, Leicestershire, 10-12 June 2022

Posted on June 24, 2022 by andynathan

A year ago a special pilot event at Download pointed the way for live music to return: now in 2022 the UK’s biggest rock and metal festival was back in a recognisable format. It was the biggest sign yet that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged AIRBOURNE, Dirty Honey, Donington, Download, festival, gig, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Kris Barras Band, Legacy of the Beast, Massive Wagons, metal, Monster Truck, Myles Kennedy, powerwolf, Shinedown, Tempt, The Darkness, Theory, Those Damn Crows, Tremonti, VOLBEAT, Wayward Sons | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – Royal Albert Hall, London, 9-11 May 2022

Posted on May 25, 2022 by andynathan

Of all those gigs I’d already booked when the pandemic started, it was the trio of Bryan Adams shows at the Royal Albert Hall, playing an album in its entirety each night, that I’d most looked forward to seeing and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Bryan Adams, Cuts Like A Knife, Gary Breit, gig, Into The Fire, Keith Scott, melodic rock, Pat Steward, residency, Royal Albert Hall, Sol Walker, Waking Up The Neighbours | Leave a comment

Gig review: SOUNDBAY FESTIVAL – Patti Pavilion Swansea – 25th – 27th March 2022

Posted on April 11, 2022 by david.wilson

Finally, after what seemed like a rollercoaster ride, Soundbay went ahead. All be it with a slightly rearranged line up, a couple of bands pulling out at the last minute due to illness, the core of the line up remained … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Anchor Lane, Baz Mills, Beth Blade, blues, Darren Griffiths Photography, Daxx and Roxanne, Florance Black, Howling Tides, live, Massive Wagons, Matti Alfonzetti, metal, Patti Pavilion, Ricky Warwick, rock, Scarlet Rebels, Soundbay Festival, Swansea, These Wicked Rivers, Valhalla Awaits, Wayward Sons | Leave a comment

Special Event: SABATON – Heugh Battery Museum, Hartlepool – 3 March 2022

Posted on March 8, 2022 by david.wilson

Get Ready to ROCK! Live Editor Dave Wilson caught up with Swedish metallers Sabaton at an unusual location prior to the release of their new album… The Heugh Battery in Hartlepool has been a strategic military position since the 17th … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, Special Events | Tagged 16th Dec 1914, Chris Rorland, Christmas Truce, Hannes Van Dahl, Hartlepool, Heugh Battery Museum, interview, Joakim Bordon, Per Sundstrom, Sabaton, The Noise Cartel, The Unkillable Soldier, The War To End All Wars, Tommy Johanson, world war 1 | Leave a comment

Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL XIV, Great Yarmouth, 4-6 November 2021

Posted on November 11, 2021 by jason

Bastette - HARD ROCK HELL XIV, Great Yarmouth

37 bands – 2 stages Friday 5 November This festival is a new experience for me and what an utterly joyous experience it was too from the get go, arrival was smooth, the venue is really easy to navigate round, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 4-6 November 2021, classic rock, festival, gig. Hard Rock Hell XIV, Great Yarmouth, hard rock, heavy rock, metal, Orange Goblin, Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, review, the Darker My Horizon, The Fallen State | Leave a comment

Gig review: Quarantune Rocks Party, The Old Dairy Farm, Cropredy, 9 October 2021

Posted on October 13, 2021 by jason

The Darker My Horizon - Quarantune Rocks Party, The Old Dairy Farm, Cropredy, 9 October 2021

6 Bands, 1 stage, 1 day: The Darker My Horizon Ryders Creed Shades Of Seattle King Awesome Skinny Knowledge More Human Than Human Quarantune Rocks was set up in March 2020 to support rock music fans, bands and venues in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Cropredy, festival, King Awesome, live music, More Human Than Human, Quarantune Rocks, Ryders Creed, Shades of Seattle, Skinny Knowledge, the Darker My Horizon | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON & FRIENDS FESTIVAL, The Vic, Coalville, 20-22 August 2021

Posted on August 25, 2021 by jason

I think it would be fair to say that travelling to the venue on 20th was challenging for most, due to a number of accidents and roadworks everywhere, however, none so much as The Darker My Horizon (TDmH) as their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 20-22 August 2021, alt rock, Coalville, Daylight Robbery, festival, Guns for Girls, hard rock, live music, modern rock, Psycho Dollz, Rawkus Redz, review, rock, the Darker My Horizon, the Vic, Voddoo Sioux | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLACK SABBATH 50TH ANNIVERSARY PLAYBACK – Number 10, Hackney, 11 February 2020

Posted on February 13, 2020 by jason

Most of us listen to music while distracted by other things. Commute to work, at home or live venue. But what if there were no other distractions around you? Just you and the music, in the dark – would you … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, blues, classic rock, event, Geezer Butler, heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne, playback, review, rock, Tony Iommi | Leave a comment

Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 24-27 January 2020

Posted on January 28, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Praying Mantis - Giants Of Rock, Butlins, Minehead, 27 January 2020

Another Cold January and another Giants Of Rock. Enough to warm the cockles following a respectable respite after Christmas and New Year. This was our fourth Giants, although intrepid GRTR! reviewers have reported since the festival’s inception in 2014. After … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 24-27 January 2020, Bernie Marsden, Butlins, classic rock, Diamond Head, Hawkwind, heavy rock, Hollowstar, Minehead, Quireboys, Review of Giants of Rock festival, Rock Goddess, space rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: GREAT BRITISH ROCK AND BLUES FESTIVAL – Butlins, Skegness,17th to 20th January 2020

Posted on January 27, 2020 by david.wilson

Skegness in early January is a bit of a strange place. Row upon row of empty caravans lie in wait for warmer weather and better times. When once again the sound of laughter and the smell of stale beer, cigarette … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 17th to 20th January 2020, AC/DC, Atomic Rooster, Bernie Marsden, blues, Burnt Out Wreck, Butlins, Chris Bevington Organisation, Chris Slade Time Line, Clearwater, Crow Black Chicken, David Coverdale, Gary Moore, Geordie, gig, Great British Rock And Blues Festival, Hollowstar, James Oliver Band, Joan ov Arc, Killit, live, Matt Pearce and the Mutiny, Mike Farris, NINE BELOW ZERO, Pete Feenstra, Peter Green, Redfish, Rhinos revenge, rock, Savoy Brown, SKAM!, Skegness, The Animals And Friends, Vambo, Whitesnake, Zoe Scwarz Blue Commotion | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE FAIRIES ON MY ROOF FESTIVAL – Papa Groove, Le Puridier (Rouffignac), SW France, 31 August 2019

Posted on September 2, 2019 by petefeenstra

Somewhere along the way the true spirit of Woodstock almost got lost in the corporate shuffle and the passing of 50 years. But on a magical day in deepest Dordogne in South West France, the Des Fées Sur Mon Toit … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Photo Galleries, Special Events | Tagged 31 August 2019, BB King, Bill Withers, blues, Bob Dylan, Easy Rider, Emilio Fabrice Le Roy, Erick Drevot, festival, France, funk, Hall & Oates, Jean Fred. Lennon & McCartney, Jimi Hendrix, JOE COCKER, John Mayer, Ken Barrett, Le Puridier, Magali Saint Sardos, Mato Rai, Papa Groove, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, REM, review, rock, Rouffignac, Santana, Sly Stone, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fairies On My Roof Festival, The Holy Modal Rounders, Woodstock | Leave a comment

Gig review: VIVE LE ROCK AWARDS – Islington Academy, London, 27 March 2019

Posted on March 28, 2019 by petefeenstra

Tonight’s 2019 Vive le Rock Awards was always going to be a broad musical church, what with a mix of punk, new wave and glam artists populating the bill. That said, the spirit of punk hangs heavily on a night … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Animal, Anti Nowhere League, Barry Masters, Blue Carpet Band, Buzzcocks, Christine 'Sugary' Staple, Dave Grantley, Ed Tudor-Pole, Eugene Butcher, gig, Girl School, glam, Glen Matlock, hardcire punk, Jackie Chambers, Jaz Coleman, Jim Jones, Killing Joke, Kim McAuliffe, Lee Thompson, Midge Ure, Pete Shelly, pubrock, punk, Ranking Roger, Rat Scabies, review, roots, ska, Steve Diggle, Stiff Little Fingers, Suzi Quatro, The Beat, The Specials, The Stranglers, Vive Le Rock Awards 2019 | 1 Comment

Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 25-27 January 2019

Posted on January 29, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Zal Cleminson - GIANTS OF ROCK, Butlins, Minehead, 25-27 January 2019

Three more days of rock, roll and roast pork and “last man standing” is becoming an ever more recurring theme. “Last man” might mean, literally, the last remaining member of a particular touring band or maybe a sole representative plying … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Atomic Rooster, blues rock, Butlins, Carl Palmer, Cats In Space, Chris Slade, classic rock, Dare, Elliot Randall, festival, FM, Focus, Giants Of Rock, gig, H.E.A.T., January 2019, Martin Barre, melodic rock, Minehead, review, Skid Row, Sweet, Udo Dirkschneider, Vega, Zal Cleminson | Leave a comment

Gig review: GREAT BRITISH ROCK & BLUES FESTIVAL – Butlins, Skegness, 18 – 20 January 2019

Posted on January 29, 2019 by david.wilson

Butlins in Skegness opened its doors to the holidaying masses back in 1936 and since then it has been serving up summertime fun and thrills as Billy Butlin intended. But during the cold winter months the site is mostly deserted, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 18 to 20 January 2019, AC/DC. Sugarray Rayford, Billy Bremners Rockfiles, blues, Bon UK, Born Hunter, Burnt Out Wreck, Butlins, Dare, Darren Wharton, Dave Edmunds, Felix Rabin, FM, Gary Moat, Geordie, Graham Oliver, Great British Rock And Blues Festival, House Of The Rising Sun, Jack Broadbet, Jethro Tull, JFK Blue, Jim Kirkpatrick, John Verity, Kingdom Of Madness, Magnum, Mark Stanway, Mark Wright, Martin Barre, Mike Ross, Mike Vernon, NINE BELOW ZERO, Oliver Dawson Saxon, Rhinos revenge, RHR, Robert J. Hunter, rock, SKAM!, Skegness, Stan The Band, Status Quo, Steve Dawson, Steve Overland, The Animals And Friends, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Gig review: CHRISSIE HYNDE – Adding The Blue Exhibition, After Nyne Gallery, London, 6 Nov 2018

Posted on November 7, 2018 by petefeenstra

You could be forgiven for taking a wearisome sigh on discovering that The Pretenders leader Chrissie Hynde is the latest in stream of rock stars who have taken up the paintbrush and canvas in the autumn of their career. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Adding The Blue, After Nyne Gallery, art, Chrissie Hynde, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, cubism, exhibition, Genesis Publications, London, November 2018, painting, The Pretenders, Tim Marlow | 1 Comment

Gig review: ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL – Nottingham Trent University Students Union, 19-21 October 2018

Posted on October 30, 2018 by andynathan

Tokyo Motor Fist - ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL, October 2018

Now in its fourth year, anticipation had been steadily growing ever since the line up was announced in February for Rockingham, which accurately bills itself as ‘three days of the finest melodic hard rock from around the world’. Proof of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Age of Reflection, Ammunition, AOR, Bigfoot, Boulevard, Creye, Departed, festival, Find Me, gig, Glass Tiger, Mason Hill, Massive, melodic rock, Nelson, Pink Cream 69, Pretty Maids, review, Rockingham, Tokyo Motor Fist, Vixen, Warrant, White Widdow, Wildness | Leave a comment

Gig Review: CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL, 2-5 August 2018

Posted on August 13, 2018 by david.wilson

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 →