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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 14 March 2026
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Tag Archives: gig
Gig review: RAMMSTEIN – MK Dons Stadium, Milton Keynes, 6 July 2019

Driving towards MK Dons stadium pre gig I saw a sign which could only mean that Rammstein were in town, it stated ‘Warning Special Effects!’. I can’t think of any other band who would require such a notice, however a … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Du Hast, Duo Jatekok, Flake, German, gig, Ich Will, Industrial, live, Milton Keynes, MK Dons, pyrotechnics, Rammstein, review, rock, Till Lindemann
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Gig review: RICHARD MARX – British Summer Time, Hyde Park, London, 7 July 2019

It’s been eight years by my reckoning since Richard Marx last played the UK, and he ended this famine in unusual circumstances, added to the bill of the British Summer Time show headlined by Barbra Streisand just a couple of … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged AOR, British Summer Time, gig, Hyde Park, review, Richard Marx, singer songwriter
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Gig review: BUCKET AND CO / COLLATERAL – Half Moon, Putney, London, 4 July 2019

After a June spent primarily at festivals and stadium shows, it was time to reconnect with what live gig going is really about by visiting the Half Moon, one of the few remaining pub venues in London that has continually … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Angelo Tristan, Bad Company, Bucket and Co, Clive Edwards, Collateral, Dave 'Bucket' Colwell, Dave Boyce, gig, Humble Pie, Jimmy Kunes, review, Todd Winger
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Gig review: CORNBURY FESTIVAL – Great Tew, Oxfordshire, 5-7 July 2019

Friday 5 July Arriving onsite just in time to catch the tail end of former Supergrass singer/songwriter Gaz Coombes set. Being a bit of a local musical hero his set was well received although he may have missed a trick … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS
Tagged 2 Tone, 80's music, Alfie Boe, Billy Lockett, blues, Chris Difford, Cornbury, Echo And The Bunnymen, Elkie Brooks, festival, folk, gig, Hothouse Flowers, indie, Keane, Paul Carrack, pop, Rainbreakers, review, rock, ska, Steeleye Span, The Beach Boys, The Specials, Trevor Horn
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Gig review: LYNYRD SKYNYRD, Status Quo – SSE Arena, Wembley, London, 29 June 2019

When I first became aware of Lynyrd Skynyrd sometime in the eighties, they were one legendary band who I was never going to see. Fortunately, a decade after the untimely 1977 plane crash, they reformed with Johnny Van Zant filling … Continue reading
Gig review: EAGLES – Wembley Stadium, London, 23 June 2019

Of the many celebrity deaths in the annus horribilis of 2016, that of Glenn Frey saddened me more than most, not least as a reminder you should see your heroes before they go (or you do first!) Only a couple … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged country rock, Deacon Frey, Don Henley, Eagles, gig, Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, Timothy B. Schmit, Vince Gill
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Gig review: BILLY JOEL – Wembley Stadium, 22 June 2019

For most of my life I had little interest in seeing Billy Joel. I knew all his big hit singles and that he was revered as a singer-songwriter and pianist with a long history, almost like America’s answer to Elton … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Billy Joel, David Rosenthal, gig, Mark Rivera, Mike DelGuidice, singer songwriter, Wembley Stadium
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Gig review: THE WATERBOYS – Auditorio Burjassot, Valencia, Spain, 28 June 2019

If the legend that is Andy Nathan can report on an AOR convention from Sweden, surely, I can cover The Waterboys from Spain… This outdoor arena on the outskirts of Valencia was a steeply banked affair with a rigid cantilevered roof open … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 28 June 2019, Burjassot, gig, live, Mike Scott, review, The Big Music, The Waterboys, The Whole of the Moon
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Gig review: BON JOVI – Wembley Stadium, London, 21 June 2019

For many years Bon Jovi were the kings of the stadium show in the UK and on their frequent visits to these shores I would even attend more than one show on the tour. This high profile also seemed to … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Bon Jovi, David Bryan, gig, John Shanks, Jon Bon Jovi, Manic Street Preachers, melodic rock, Phil X, review, Wembley Stadium
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Gig review: GEORDIE – The Cluny, Newcastle, 7 June 2019

Smiles abounded on and off-stage at The Cluny for the triumphant homecoming for Geordie. Still featuring founder members bassist Tom Hill and drummer Brian Gibson, the two reminded us right from the off what a ‘proper’ classic rock rhythm section … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 7 June 2019, classic rock, Geordie, gig, hard rock, Newcastle, pop rock, review, The Cluny
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Gig review: P!NK – Wembley Stadium, 30 June 2019

P!nk may not be a name you’d necessarily associate with rock, however the warm-up DJ KidCutUp mixed a fair few classic rock tunes into his set plus a nice touch to have Freddie Mercury’s ‘Ay oh’ in the mix, made … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Bishop Briggs, Cyndi Lauper, Freddie Mercury, gig, indie, P!nk, pop, review, rock, Wembley Stadium, Whitesnake, Wrabel
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Gig review: GARY CLARK JR. – Albert Hall, Manchester, 18 June 2019

Gary Clark Jr. is a man out of time, resplendent in battered denim and wide brimmed hat he is the embodiment of the classic blues man. Immediately launching into 2012 single ‘Bright Lights’ and demonstrating deep, smoking guitar chops that … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 18 June 2019, Albert Hall, blues, blues rock, Gary Clark Jr, gig, Manchester, review
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Gig review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL- Donington Park, Leicestershire, 14-15 June 2019

The fact that Download ranks alongside the very largest of all the UK festivals is tribute to the enduring, if underground, popularity of metal and heavy rock in all its forms. However in some quarters it gets a bad rap, … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 14-15 June 2019, Brothers Osbourne, Def Leppard, Delain, Download, Epica, festival, gig, Halestorm, Myles Kennedy, Slash, Stone Temple Pilots, Three Days Grace, Whitesnake
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Gig review: TESLA – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 16 June 2019

No surprise to see a healthy crowd in on this damp Sunday evening to see Wayward Sons. The band has been cutting a noteworthy profile since its establishment in 2016 and already a second album is in the can. ‘Don’t … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 16 June 2019, gig, hard rock, live, review, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Tesla, Toby Jepson, Wayward Sons
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Gig review: TOTO – Royal Chelsea Hospital, London, 13 June 2019

In the ever more crowded gigging season, a fresh trend over the last few years has been for London’s finest historic settings to be used for concerts. Following in the footsteps of Hampton Court and Greenwich is now a short … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged AOR, Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain, gig, Joseph Williams, Justin Hawkins, live at Chelsea, melodic rock, review, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, The Darkness, Toto, Warren Ham
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Gig review: LAST IN LINE – Islington Academy, London, 12 June 2019

Last in Line have reached the same crossroads as the Black Star Riders did a few years ago. Originally put together by former bandmates to honour the memory of an iconic frontman, what then happens when you want to start … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Andrew Freeman, Brian Tatler, Diamond Head, Dio, gig, Last In Line, Phil Soussan, review, Vinny Appice, Vivian Campbell
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News: MICHAEL ARMSTRONG showcases superior pop rock – The Water Rats, London, Tuesday 2 July 2019

David Randall previewed the London show and ‘Periscope’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 23 June. (4:06) After a 2-year hiatus and following the release of his highly-acclaimed second album #LookingForTheWorld, Michael Armstrong returns to the stage and … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS
Tagged 2 July 2019, classic rock, gig, London, Michael Armstrong, pop rock, singer, songwriter, The Water Rats
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Gig review: CAMDEN ROCKS FESTIVAL – Camden Town, London, 1-2 June 2019

This annual gathering, wedged tightly into the crammed streets of central north London, has been on the go since 2009. It started with 25 bands and 5 venues. This year over 400 acts will be appearing across 20 stages. Saturday … Continue reading
Gig review: STYX – London Palladium, 4 June 2019

It’s been eight long years since Styx last crossed the pond and on that occasion they opened a three way battle of the AOR behemoths with Foreigner and Journey, and for many observers stole the show. This belated return was … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged AOR, gig, James Young, Lawrence Gowan, melodic rock, pomp rock, review, Styx, Tommy Shaw
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Gig review: MAGNUM – Aberdare Coliseum, 5 June 2019

With more venues in South Wales falling by the wayside, it is refreshing to see someone taking a gamble, especially in the valleys and in the middle of the week, but the old adage of book them and they will … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 5 June 2019, Aberdare, Bob Catley, classic rock, Coliseum, gig, Hand of Dimes, Magnum, melodic rock, review, Tony Clarkin
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Gig review: SWEDISH AOR CONVENTION – Malmo, Sweden, 30 May-2 June 2019

Melodic rock and AOR is an unlikely addition to the list of things- ergonomic design, environmental awareness, and dark crime dramas- where Scandinavia leads the world. The scene is particularly strong in Sweden, home of many of my favourite bands … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Age of Reflection, Anette Olzon, AOR, Bad Habit, Care of Night, Coastland Ride, Creye, festival, gig, Hank Erix, melodic rock, Osukaru, Philip Lindstrand, Pretty Wild, Sapphire Eyes, Shape of the New Sun, State of Salazar, Swedish AOR convention
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Gig review: VINCENT FLATTS FINAL DRIVE – Kings Head Theatre, London, 7 June 2019

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
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Gig review: BUCK & EVANS – 100 Club, London, 27 May 2019

Buck and Evans define the term ‘critically acclaimed’ in that anyone who has come into contact with their music has universally praised them. However, a good four years since I last saw them (at Highbury Garage) progress has been slow. … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged blues rock, Bob Richards, Buck & Evans, Chris Buck, Dominic Hill, gig, Sally Ann Evans, The Rainbreakers
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