Tag Archives: gig

Gig review: RENAISSANCE – The Stables, Wavendon, 14 April 2015

RENAISSANCE - The Citadel, St.Helens, 24 April 2015

You can take the girl out of Bolton, but you can’t take Bolton out of the girl. Stage sound issues and residual deafness in one ear might detract some artists on the first night of a comeback tour of the … Continue reading

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Gig review: JOE LYNN TURNER, The Borderline, London, 5 April 2015

JOE LYNN TURNER, The Borderline, London, 5 April 2015

Appearances by Joe Lynn Turner in the UK are rare, the last being a decade ago with the Hughes Turner Project  (since when at least a couple have been promised and not materialised), so his UK tour was eagerly anticipated, … Continue reading

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Gig review: RIVAL SONS – O2 Academy, Leeds, 28 March 2015

RIVAL SONS - O2 Academy, Leeds, 28 March 2015

Barely four months ago we were in Manchester witnessing an amazing gig from Rival Sons as they set out on a mini tour for the release of their new album ‘The Great Western Valkyrie’, the tour itself had to be … Continue reading

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Gig review: LORDI – Manchester Club Academy, 26 March 2015

LORDI - Manchester Club Academy, 26 March 2015

When I heard that the mighty Lordi were to play Manchester Academy I was expecting it to be in room 1 or 2 due to their extravagant stage show of theatrical props and pyrotechnics and not in the Club Academy … Continue reading

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Gig review: HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, BONAFIDE – Live Rooms, Chester, 19 March 2015

Hardcore Superstar  - Live Rooms, Chester, 19 March 2015

By the time Oceans Black hit the rather cramped stage there is a reasonable crowd to see what turns out to be an excellent set from this relatively new band.  Although only formed back in 2014 they have been honing … Continue reading

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Gig review: DAN REED AND DANNY VAUGHN – Camden Underworld, London, 31 March 2015

DAN REED AND DANNY VAUGHN - Camden Underworld, London, 31 March 2015

Danny Vaughn and Dan Reed share a lot in common. Leaders of critically acclaimed bands at the turn of the decade (Tyketto and Dan Reed Network) who never quite had the mainstream success they deserved. People who quit the music … Continue reading

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Gig review: PAT MCMANUS BAND – The Rock Den, Hatfield, 28 March 2015

It takes a brave man to promote live gigs in the current climate with so many other demands on people’s time, and particularly so within commuting distance of the bright lights of London and its established scene. So hats off … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE ENID – Union Chapel, London, 31 March 2015

Union chapel is already brim full of fans sat on the lines of wooden pews, making polite conversation when I arrive half an hour before the gig. Such is the anticipation of The Enid’s dedicated crowd of followers. I only … Continue reading

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Gig review – THE BLACKOUT – The Garage, Glasgow, 26 March 2015

 THE BLACKOUT – The Garage, Glasgow, 26 March 2015

The music business is a fickle world. A couple of years ago I had a chat pre-gig in Edinburgh with Gavin Butler about the band’s then new release, the album ‘Start The Party’, and the band’s upcoming festival dates at … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE WHO – 02 Arena, London, 22 March 2015

THE WHO - 02 Arena, London, 22 March 2015

The Who may have at least half failed in their mission statement to die before they got old, but a 50th anniversary is an extraordinary achievement. So it is a good moment to reflect on what a seminal band they … Continue reading

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Gig review: EUROPE, BLACK STAR RIDERS – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 20 March 2015

BLACK STAR RIDERS - Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 20 March 2015

A co-headlining double bill of two of classic rock’s most currently prolific touring bands, both with new albums to promote, sounds like a value package made in heaven. However there were grumbles earlier on the Black Star Riders and Europe … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROBIN TROWER – The Lowry, Salford, 29 March 2015

ROBIN TROWER - The Lowry, Salford, 29 March 2015

Forty years might separate Robin Trower’s biggest success and Joanne Shaw Taylor’s latest album, but both tap into that deep vein of soulful, heart-felt blues rock.  Only this month Trower has become a fully certified elder statesman of rock, celebrating … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE STRANGLERS – The Roundhouse, London, 6 March 2015

The Membranes opened up with a 20 minute set of good humoured, post-punk anarchy. John Robb on bass and lead vocals is a great front man with plenty to say. ‘Spike Milligan’s Tape Recorder’, a minor hit from the mid … Continue reading

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Gig review: HAMMERFEST VII – Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 3)

HAMMERFEST - Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 3)

Day 3 Despite two hard days of partying the wasted souls came out to play early today and made it for the first band on the Stoner stage.  At every festival you can usually find a new band that really … Continue reading

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Gig review: HAMMERFEST VII – Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015 (Day 2)

Kamelot, HAMMERFEST - Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015 (Day 2)

Day 2 Friday starts with a much drier morning with a bit of sun to burn those retinas open, also no doubt some massive hangovers as the over-indulgent among us get over their first night adrenaline/drinking sessions.  Theycan be no … Continue reading

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Gig review: HAMMERFEST VII – Pwllheli, Wales, 12 March 2015 (Day 1)

HAMMERFEST - Pwllheli, Wales, 12 March 2015 (Day 1)

So once again it’s time for the Pirate hordes to invade and take over the Hafan-Y-Mor site and by the amount of water falling out of the sky arriving on the Black Pearl wouldn’t have been out of place. This … Continue reading

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Gig review: WILKO JOHNSON – Ritz, Manchester, 18 March 2015

Wilko Johnson, Giants Of Rock - 9 February 2014

For the second time in as many years I have the pleasure of watching a show by Wilko Johnson, by now I’m sure everyone knows of his incredible journey in the past two years which has taken him from being … Continue reading

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Gig review: KAMELOT – O2 Islington Academy, London, 14 March 2015

KAMELOT – O2 Academy Islington, London, 14 March 2015

Support Acts: Gus G, Skarlett Riot. Four years ago, Progressive/Symphonic Power Metallers Kamelot witnessed the departure from their ranks of Roy Khan – their charismatic and imposing frontman who, during his fourteen year tenure with the band, helped bring to … Continue reading

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Gig review: GUN – Camden Underworld, London, 24 March 2015

GUN - Camden Underworld, London, 24 March 2015

Despite being chart regulars for most of the nineties, Gun are one of those bands time seems to have forgotten. However since reforming in 2008, albeit with a much changed line up, they not only continue to tour but record … Continue reading

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Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 2)

Nightranger - HRH AOR - Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 2)

Day 2 After a paltry 5 hours sleep and searching the little town of Criccieth for match sticks to keep my eyes open, and copious amounts of Pro Plus, I made my way back to the arenas where I like … Continue reading

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Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015 (Day 1)

Dare - HRH AOR - Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015

After an early start and a four and a half hour drive, I arrived at Hard Rock Hell  and was immediately struck by how well organised the event was.  The site was immaculate and the staff were friendly and helpful. … Continue reading

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Gig review: THUNDER – Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, 14 March 2015

THUNDER - Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, 14 March 2015

To slightly misquote one of their own songs, Thunder are proof that you can’t keep a good band down. Their split in 1999 after a decade of success only lasted three years before they reformed to make another four albums, … Continue reading

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Gig review: SICK OF IT ALL – Sound Control, Manchester, 5 February 2015

SICK OF IT ALL - Sound Control, Manchester, 5 February 2015

Headliners Sick Of It All are Lou, Pete Koller (guitar), Craig Setari (bass) and Armand Majidi (drums) and have been around the scene since 1986.  While having plenty of success they may not be known to many outside of the … Continue reading

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Gig review: NIGHT RANGER – Islington Academy, 12 March 2015

NIGHT RANGER - Islington Academy, 12 March 2015

Once something of a holy grail for UK rock fans, Night Ranger visits are now regular on these shores – well London anyway. This was their third trip since 2011 but the band’s stock is high at the moment, last … Continue reading

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Gig review: EUROPE, BLACK STAR RIDERS – Manchester Academy, 13 March 2015

EUROPE - Manchester Academy, 13 March 2015

I am still not convinced that two- or three-way bills are the best way forward for some of our premier bands.  The last time I saw Europe was a three-way with FM and Foreigner and notwithstanding poor sound (for the … Continue reading

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