Tag Archives: AOR

News: AVANTASIA, GOTTHARD, MICKEY JUPP (December 2024)

Posted on December 1, 2024 by jason

GLENN HUGHES- Electric Ballroom, London, 25 October 2023

Airforce (who feature former Iron Maiden guitarist Doug Sampson) release their new album ‘Acts of Madness’ on February 21 through ROAR Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks release a CD/DVD package ‘Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks Live- Perpetual Change’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, AOR, AVANTASIA, blues, folk, gigs, Gotthard, melodic rock, metal, Mickey Jupp, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review : POWELL PAYNE – Voila

Posted on November 28, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 6.12.24] There really should have been some kind of fanfare, a blaze of publicity, to accompany the release of Voila, debut album from Adam Payne, ex Airrace, and Mark Powell, ex Psycho Kiss. In this post-AOR age, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Airrace, AOR, Frontiers, melodic rock, Peter Cetera, Powell Payne, Psycho Kiss, review, Richard Marx, Voila | Leave a comment

Album review : LIONVILLE – Supernatural

Posted on November 7, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 15.11.24] Art for Art’s sake. Lionville’s Italian founder, writer, guitarist and all round mainman, Stefano Leonetti has brought in Swedish vocalist Alexander (Art Nation) Strandell to replace the departed Lars (Work Of Art) Safsund. Strandell has achieved … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alexander Strandell, AOR, Art Nation, Frontiers, Lars Safsund, Lionville, melodic rock, review, Stefano Leonetti, Work Of Art | Leave a comment

Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)

Posted on October 31, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

BLACK STONE CHERRY AND THE DARKNESS- Wembley Arena, London, 4 February 2023

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your tour not listed? Contact us! To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2025, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk | Leave a comment

Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2024)

Posted on October 31, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Fairport Convention - Cropredy, 13-15 August 2015

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2024, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk | Leave a comment

News: BONFIRE, MOGWAI, KID KAPACHI (November 2024)

Posted on October 30, 2024 by jason

Ambush have signed with Napalm Records with a view to release a new album next year. Tori Amos releases a new live album, ‘Diving Deep Live’, via Decca on December 6. A remastered 2CD/2DVD box set version of ‘An Evening Of Yes Music Plus’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, AOR, blues, Bonfire, folk, gigs, Kid Kapachi, melodic rock, metal, Mogwai, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates | Leave a comment

Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)

Posted on October 30, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

HEART - O2 Apollo, Manchester, 30 June 2016

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Updated 18.12.24 UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025) To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2025, AOR, dates, Europe, gigs, melodic rock, metal, our, pop, progressive, rock, ROW, USA | Leave a comment

Gig review: FM – The Carlisle, Hastings, 17 October 2024

Posted on October 29, 2024 by andynathan

Recently in the news, we heard how tours have shrunk and cover fewer towns and cities than they did 30 years ago. For FM the opposite seems to be the case – as well as playing the established big cities, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, FM, gig, Jem Davis, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, Steve Overland, The Carlisle, White Skies | Leave a comment

Gig review: FIREFEST – Manchester Academy, 11-13 October 2024

Posted on October 27, 2024 by andynathan

For a decade through to 2014, Firefest built a reputation that most festivals would kill for. It wasn’t just the stellar line ups of melodic hard rock acts, from the rising stars through to long dormant bands from the eighties … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Atlantic, Cats In Space, Coney Hatch, festival, Firefest, Gabrielle de Val, gig, Grand Prix, Heavy Pettin', Hurricane, Jaded Hard, Jelusick, Kingdom Of Madness, Lionheart, Lost Weekend, Mad Max, melodic rock, Michael Bomann, Midnite City, Oliver's Army, Overland, Quiet Riot, Robin McAuley, Skagarack, Supremacy, Touch | Leave a comment

Album review: CATS IN SPACE – Time Machine

Posted on October 25, 2024 by jason

Esoteric Antenna [Release date 25.10.24] Studio album number six for Cats In Space, their third with vocalist Damien Edwards and first for new label Esoteric Antenna, part of the Cherry Red Records empire. Opening with the title track, we have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 10CC, 70's rock, album review, AOR, Cats In Space, classic rock, melodic rock, Queen, rock, Sweet, THE WHO, Time Machine | Leave a comment

News: JESSE DAMON, NICKY HOPKINS, NEIL YOUNG (October 2024)

Posted on October 1, 2024 by jason

Dream Theater - Manchester O2 Apollo, 13 February 2014

After Lapse release their new album ‘Pathways’ on December 13 on Frontiers. Arch Enemy release their twelfth studio album, ‘Blood Dynasty’, on March 28 via Century Media Records. Joan Armatrading has announced that her new album, ‘How Did This Happen And What Does … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, AOR, blues, folk, gigs, Jesse Damon, melodic rock, metal, Neil Young, news, Nicky Hopkins, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates | Leave a comment

News: AUSTIN GOLD, WARREN HAYNES, HOUSE OF LORDS (September 2024)

Posted on August 30, 2024 by jason

The Darkness - STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL - Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 24 July 2016

Lee Abraham releases his latest album ‘Origin Of The Storm’ through F2 Music on October 21. Bryan Adams releases ‘Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024′ on November 15. It will feature complete performances of three of his iconic albums: … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, AOR, Austin Gold, blues, folk, gigs, House of Lords, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates, Warren Haynes | Leave a comment

Gig review- H.E.A.T, TYKETTO, DARE – Chepstow Castle, 17 August 2024

Posted on August 28, 2024 by andynathan

The Great British outdoors now caters to the infinite demand for outdoor summer gigs in a variety of settings: farms and country parks, stately homes and now concerts in the grounds of historic castles seem to be the latest concept, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Castell Roc, Chris Childs, Danny Vaughn, Dare, Darren Wharton, Dave Dalone, Don Crash, gig, H.E.A.T., Harry Scott Elliott, Jimmy Jay, Jona Tee, Kenny Leckremo, Marc Roberts, melodic rock, Tyketto, Vinny Burns | Leave a comment

Gig review: MALMO MELODIC – Plan B, Malmo, Sweden, 27-29 July 2024

Posted on August 7, 2024 by andynathan

Scandinavia, and Sweden in particular, is the undisputed epicentre of the melodic rock community with a seemingly endless stream of bands emerging. There have been festivals in Malmo pre-pandemic (Melodic Rock Fest and the Swedish AOR Convention) so when last … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 7th Crystal, Alicate, AOR, Boys From Heaven, Care of Night, Chez Kane, Dare, Darren Wharton, festival, Gaeleri, gig, Grand, Houston, JD Miller, melodic rock, Nubian Rose, Perfect Plan, Pretty Maids, Remedy, Romeo's Daughter, Ronnie Atkins, Roulette, Streetlight, Transatlantic Radio, Wildness | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (April – June 2024)

Posted on August 4, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

ATLANTIC Another World (Escape Music) This summer’s AOR album has arrived! Lush keys, harmonies, plenty of lovestruck lyrical themes, soaring guitar solos and the vocals of Mark Grimmett, who adds that extra bit of class to the whole musical proceedings. … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS | Tagged 2024, albums of the month, AOR, April, Atlantic, Big Big Train, Black Country Communion, blues rock, heavy rock, June, May, melodic rock, Nestor, Progressive Rock, rock, Son Of Man, These Wicked Rivers | Leave a comment

Album review : JIM PETERIK and WORLD STAGE – Roots and Shoots Vol 2

Posted on August 1, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 09.08.24] Peterik needs no introduction, but we’ll introduce him anyway. Most famously, he was guitarist and songwriter with Survivor, as well as several other charting bands. It’s all well documented online. But that was then. Nowadays, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Chicago, Frontiers, Jason Scheff, Jim Peterik, melodic rock, Neil Donnell, review, Survivor | Leave a comment

News: STEEL PANTHER, FLEETWOOD MAC, VON HERTZEN BROTHERS (August 2024)

Posted on July 31, 2024 by jason

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 9-11 May 2022

Photo: Steve Goudie Bryan Adams (pictured) has launched his own label Bad Records with the release of two songs – ‘War Machine’ and ‘Rock And Roll Hell’ – both of which were written by Adams alongside Jim Vallance, and Gene Simmons for the KISS album … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions | Tagged albums, AOR, blues, Fleetwood Mac, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, Steel Panther, tour dates, Von Hertzen Brothers | Leave a comment

Gig review: TOWER OF FIRE FESTIVAL – Rebellion, Manchester, 29 June 2024

Posted on July 16, 2024 by andynathan

Although the UK live scene is thriving, thanks largely to the efforts of the New Wave of Classic Rock movement, those of us with a specific interest in the melodic rock and AOR scene, weaned on the glory years of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Atack, festival, Gabrielle de Val, gig, melodic rock, Nitrate, Remedy, Saracen, Tower Of Fire, White Skies | Leave a comment

Album review : JOHN MILES – The Albums 1983 – 1993 (3 CDs)

Posted on July 16, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 19.07.24] Behind the John Miles’ name and his launchpad hit single ‘Music (Was My First Love)’ in 1976, there lay a musician whose full-on career in music can barely be crammed into a Wikipedia page. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Parsons, AOR, Jimmy Page, JOE COCKER, John Miles, Night Of The Proms, Play On, review, soft rock, Tina Turner, Transition, Upfront | Leave a comment

Album review: ATLANTIC – Another World

Posted on June 22, 2024 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 21.06.24] Atlantic is the brainchild of guitarist and songwriter Simon Harrison, who released their debut album ‘Power’ back in 1994 (re-issued by Escape in 2008). It was originally planned to be a one-off – until now … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Another World, AOR, Atlantic, Dare, Escape Music, FM, Grim Reaper, Journey, Lionsheart, Mark Grimmett, melodic rock, review, Simon Harrison, Steve Grimmett | Leave a comment

Gig review: RICHARD MARX – Royal Albert Hall, London, 22 May 2024

Posted on June 20, 2024 by andynathan

Richard Marx only plays the finest London venues when he comes over to the UK. Building on some memorable acoustic shows at the Union Chapel in Autumn 2022, he announced a fuller UK tour which culminated in this show at … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, gig, J. Blynn, John Oates, melodic rock, Nathan East, Richard Marx, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review : AXE – The Offering (Remaster)

Posted on June 18, 2024 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date 24.05.24] Third time lucky for Axe. The Offering, released in 1982, got enough sales and radio airplay to put them firmly on the USA’s Melodic Rock map, leading directly to tours with Kiss, The Scorpions … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Axe, Bobby Barth, Edgar Riley, Kiss, melodic rock, Mike Osborne, remaster, review, Rock Candy Records, Scorpions, ZZ Top | Leave a comment

Album review : THE LADDER – S/T (Remaster)

Posted on June 17, 2024 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date : 24.05.24] Another “obscure” 1980’s American AOR album, rescued by Rock Candy Records. It was “big in Japan” though. Aren’t they all. The Ladder – writers Joe and Lou Parente, with vocalist Frank Mancano – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, ATCO, Chicago, David Foster, Frank Mancano, Joe Parente, Lou Parente, Philadelphia, review, Rock Candy, The Ladder | Leave a comment

Album review: ATLANTIS DRIVE – Atlantis Drive

Posted on June 16, 2024 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 14.06.24] Composer and guitarist Markus Pfeffer (Barnabas Sky, Lazarus Dream) is the mastermind behind Atlantis Drive. As Markus explains – “I had a very clear goal with this album: To take up the sound … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Atlantis Drive, hard rock, Lazarus Dream, Mark Boals, Markus Pfeffer, melodic, melodic rock, Pride & Joy Music, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

Posted on May 31, 2024 by andynathan

Two years ago, I was present all three nights as Bryan Adams played a memorable residency at the Albert Hall, playing a classic album each night (subsequently released in less than satisfactory fashion on DVD). I thought that was a … Continue reading →