Tag Archives: Birmingham

Gig review: JOE BONAMASSA – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, 14 May 2023

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Davoski

Joe Bonamassa is a regular visitor to these shores. Having wrapped up a short tour last Spring, he was back with his band for another five UK dates playing venues he skipped last time. Indeed this was his first gig … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 14 May 2023, Birmingham, blues, blues rock, gig, guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, live, Reese Wynans, review, rock, Utilita Arena | Leave a comment

Gig review: VINCENT FLATTS FINAL DRIVE – Kings Head Theatre, London, 7 June 2019

Posted on June 8, 2019 by petefeenstra

There ‘s something indefinable about the true spirit of rock and rock. And whatever it is, Vincent Flatts Final Drive front man Steve “Bertie” Burton has it in buckets. It’s not just the spontaneous humour, the belligerent phrasing, the way … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Birmingham, blues, boogie, Captain Beefheart, Edgar Broughton, Frank Zappa, funk, Gary Harper, gig, Joe Louis Walker, Michael Katon, Noddy Holder, review, Rich Shelton, rock, Russ Cook, southern rock, Steve "Bertie" Burton, Texas, Vincent Flatts Final Drive, vocals | Leave a comment

Gig review: LED ZEPPELIN MASTERS – Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 13 April 2019

Posted on April 14, 2019 by jason

The Led Zeppelin Masters (also known as the Zep Boys in their native Australia) – vocalist Vince Contarino, guitarist Tzan Niko, bassist Warwick Cheatle and drummer Bradley Polain – were back for their second UK tour with the 35-piece Black … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Birmingham, Black Heart Orchestra, classic rock, gig, Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin Masters, orchestral, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Stairway To Heaven, symphonic, Symphony Hall, Vince Contarino | Leave a comment

Album review: MAGNUM – Live At The Symphony Hall

Posted on December 28, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

SPV [Release date 18.01.19] Magnum started 2018 in shaky form when we saw them at Giants Of Rock. With great expectations that we’d hear a smidgeon of the new album, they appeared for a few songs and disappeared due to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Barrow, album, Birmingham, Bob Catley, classic rock, Lee Morris, Lee Small, live, Live At Symphony Hall, Magnum, melodic rock, pomp, Rebecca Downes, review, Rick Benton, Tobias Sammet, Tony Clarkin | Leave a comment

Gig review: JEFF LYNNE’S ELO – Arena, Birmingham, 13 October 2018

Posted on October 17, 2018 by jason

To say I was excited at seeing Jeff Lynne and ELO play his home town of Birmingham would be an understatement! I have only see the Jeff Lynne fronted ELO once back at his comeback gig at Hyde Park in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Billy Lockett, Birmingham, Classic Albums, classic rock, ELO, gig, Jeff Lynne, Jeff Lynne's ELO, music, pop, pop rock | Leave a comment

DVD review: YES – The New Director’s Cut

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

The Store For Music [Release date 16.02.18] Talk about milking it. It may have been a major event when Wakeman reunited with Anderson, Squire, Howe and White in time for the band’s 35th anniversary tour in 2004, but there continues … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 2003, Alan White, Birmingham, Chris Squire, concert, DVD, Jon Anderson, live, review, Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, The New Director's Cut, Yes | Leave a comment

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

Posted on November 28, 2017 by jason

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 25 November 2017, Aladdin Sane, Birmingham, Classic Albums, classic rock, David Bowie, live review, Mike Garson, O2 Institute, rock, Roger Glover, Steve Harley | Leave a comment

Album review: BIG WOLF BAND – A Rebel’s Story

Posted on May 20, 2017 by petefeenstra

Big Wolf Records [Release date 15.5.17] In this age of instant downloads, there’s something reassuring about a Brummy blues-rock band with well crafted songs, deep grooves, tight arrangements and inspired playing fuelled by plenty of passion. Big Wolf Band come … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Rebel's Story, Albert Collins, album, Bad Company, Big Wolf Band, Birmingham, Blacktop Deluxe, blues, Brothers Groove, Cream, Deano Bass, Emma Jonson, funk, Gary Moore, Jonathan Earp, Mad Hat Studios, Magnum, Mark V Stuart, Mick jeynes, Paul Kossoff, Peter Green, Rebecca Downs, review, rock, Sheena Sear, Slowburner, Steve Ajao Blues Giants, Steve Gibbons, Tim Jones, Vincent Flatts Final Drive Final Drive | Leave a comment

News: WIN tickets to RITCHIE BLACKMORE’S RAINBOW, Genting Arena, Birmingham – 25 June 2016

Posted on June 24, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

One of the most influential and versatile guitarists, Ritchie Blackmore will take to the stage to celebrate the era-defining music of Rainbow and Deep Purple in a one-off UK Tour show on Saturday 25 June 2016 at the Genting Arena … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Competitions, NEWS | Tagged 25 June 2016, Birmingham, Deep Purple, Genting Arena, gig, guitar, guitarist, Mostly Autumn, Rainbow, Ritchie Blackmore, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: DRAG – Neurotica, A Compendium Of Tales Regarding Body And Mind

Posted on July 5, 2014 by david.wilson

Self Release (Release date- 28th July 2014) Drag are a four piece from Birmingham who bill themselves as sleazy punk. They formed over three years ago and have supported the likes of Toyah Wilcox and Fuzzbox. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Birmingham, Drag, Dresden Dolls, L7, Neurotica, punk, review, rock, The Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs | Leave a comment

Gig review: JEFF BECK – Birmingham Symphony Hall, 20 May 2014

Posted on May 22, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

In my research recently for an interview with Steve Lukather I came across a 1986 video of him performing at a Japanese festival with Carlos Santana and Jeff Beck. Luke is arguably the least recognisable now, the poodle perm long … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20 May 2014, Birmingham, fusion, gig, guitar, guitarist, Jeff Beck, Nicolas Meier, review, Rhonda Smith, rock, Symphony Hall | Leave a comment

DVD review: STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL – Birmingham

Posted on November 16, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Absolute [Release date 14.10.13] Somewhere, in the bowels of my long player collection lies a pristine copy of Cockney Rebel’s The Psychomodo acquired circa 1974. It is, however, many, many years (quite possibly decades) since it last saw the rubber … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged Birmingham, choir, Cockney Rebel, DVD, live, orchestra, review, Steve Harley, The Human Menagerie, The Psychomodo | Leave a comment

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

Posted on July 18, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 17 July 2013, Birmingham, Carlos Santana, gig, LG Arena, review, Santana, Sentient Tour | Comments Off

Gig Review: THE BLACKOUT – Edinburgh 22 January 2013

Posted on January 24, 2013 by david.wilson

I first saw The Blackout a couple of years ago supporting My Chemical Romance at the SECC in Glasgow. That night the guys had the SECC crowd eating out of their hands by the second song, not bad for a … Continue reading →