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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL- Thames Side Brewery, Staines, 8 December 2024
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Gig review: STRAY- The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 7 December 2024
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Gig review: THE SHEEPDOGS, THE COMMONERS- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 5 December 2024
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Gig review: GUN – Barrowlands, Glasgow, 14 December 2024
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Gig review: THE DAMN TRUTH – The Grace, London, 26 November 2024
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Gig review: LAZARUS HEIGHTS – The Auditorium, Bassilac, SW France, 7 December 2024
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Tag Archives: Islington Academy
Gig review: WISHBONE ASH – Islington Academy, London, 5 October 2023
Wishbone Ash’s autumn tour with its London date at the Islington Academy has been a fixture on the gig calendar for many years, and more often than not these days seems to mark a significant milestone. I was one of … Continue reading
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Tagged 5 October 2023, Andy Powell, Bob Skeat, gig, Islington Academy, Live Dates, London, Mark Abrahams, Mike Truscott, Wishbone Ash
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Gig review: WISHBONE ASH – Islington Academy, London, 21 October 2022
Classic rock’s golden age is now giving us half century celebrations of bands and landmark albums. One such – indeed my all time favourite album – is Wishbone Ash’s ‘Argus’, which was voted album of the year by Melody Maker … Continue reading
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Tagged 21 October 2022, Andy Powell, Argus, Bob Skeat, classic rock, gig, Islington Academy, London, Mark Abrahams, Mike Truscott, twin guitars, Wishbone Ash
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Gig review: BAD TOUCH – O2 Islington Academy, London, 2 December 2021
The gig was in the upstairs portion of Academy, which is more intimate than the main ground floor venue and provided for a vibrant, enthusiastic atmosphere. Something Piston appeared to thrive on. Their short, powerful set was packed with crowd … Continue reading
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Tagged 2 December 2021, Bad Touch, classic rock, gig, Islington Academy, live, Piston, review
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Gig review: ROSE TATTOO & GIRLSCHOOL – 02 Islington Academy, London, 13 September 2018
Rose Tattoo’s first appearance in London in far-too-many years and it was hotly anticipated. And for those not familiar with the Aussie rock band, led by the short in stature but no way in attitude Angry Anderson, they formed in … Continue reading
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Tagged Angry Anderson, gig, GIRLSCHOOL, Islington Academy, Kim McAuliffe, live, London, metal, NWOBHM, punk, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Rose Tattoo
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Gig review: JIMMY BARNES – Islington Academy, London, 13 December 2017
The unofficial title of the World’s Greatest Living Australian is up for grabs at the moment. Don Bradman departed a few years back to the great pavilion in the sky, where more recently Richie Benaud has delivered a laconic ‘morning … Continue reading
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Tagged 13 December, Aussie, Australian rock, blues rock, classic rock, Cold Chisel, Danny Spencer, gig, Islington Academy, Jimmy Barnes, London, review
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Gig review: H.E.A.T. – Islington Academy, London, 21 November 2017
H.E.A.T.’s return to the stage, hot on the heels of their long delayed, controversial but in my view excellent ‘Into The Great Unknown’ album, was eagerly anticipated. However November is a notoriously crowded month in the gig calendar, which this … Continue reading
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Tagged 21 November 2017, Black Diamonds, Crash, Dave Dalone, Degreed, Erik Gronwall, gig, H.E.A.T., Islington Academy, Jona Tee, London, melodic rock, review
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Gig review: LYNCH MOB – Islington Academy, London, 12 November 2017
A very rare appearance from former Dokken guitar maestro George Lynch – and the first with his band Lynch Mob in the capital since 1990 – should have been the hottest ticket in London town. It was therefore something of … Continue reading
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Tagged 12 November 2017, Dokken, George Lynch, gig, Islington Academy, Jody Turner, Lynch Mob, Oni Logan, review, Rock Goddess, The Wild Lies
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Gig review: INGLORIOUS – Islington Academy, London, 19 May 2017
Inglorious’ star is rising nicely – little over a year after their debut album had them voted best newcomers in many end of year polls, and after a series of high profile touring opportunities, they have swiftly followed up with … Continue reading
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Tagged 19 May 2017, Andreas Eriksson, Deep Purple, Dio, Drew Lowe, gig, Gypsy Heart, hard rock, Heather Leoni, Inglorious, Islington Academy, live, London, Mason Hill, melodic, Nathan James, Rainbow, review, Scott Taylor, Whitesnake
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Gig review: SNAKECHARMER – Islington Academy, London,14 May 2017
Progressively Snakecharmer are leaving behind their origins, celebrating old-school Whitesnake, in the same way Black Star Riders are laying aside the ghost of Thin Lizzy. Four years after the release of their excellent self-titled and self-penned album, this was my … Continue reading
Gig review: L.A. GUNS – The Islington Academy, London, 25 March 2017
Having recently reunited after a ten year break, L.A. Guns vocalist Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns have just finished a UK tour which found the still popular band rolling back the years and sounding as good, and fresh, as they … Continue reading
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Tagged gig, glam, Islington Academy, L.A. Guns, Phil Lewis, review, rock, sleaze, Tracii Gunns
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Gig review: VEGA – Islington Academy, London, 30 May 2016
Midway through a successful tour supporting Magnum, UK melodic rock hopefuls Vega slipped in a headline show of their own at the smaller of Islington Academy’s two halls. Judging from easily the biggest crowd for a headline London show yet, … Continue reading
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Tagged 30 May 2016, AOR, gig, Islington Academy, London, melodic rock, review, Vega
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Gig review: GAMMA RAY – Islington Academy, London, 8 December 2015
I missed the opening couple of numbers by Neonfly, however I did catch ‘The Revenant’ the third song in their set. They were very lively as ever on stage with vocalist Willy Norton a livewire singing, jumping around and getting … Continue reading
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Tagged 8 December 2015, Gamma Ray, gig, Islington Academy, London, Neonfly, power metal, review, Serious Black
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Gig review: SNAKECHARMER – Islington Academy, 13 November 2015
None of us knew it at the time, but Snakecharmer’s winter tour, including this London date, proved to be Micky Moody’s farewell to the band, leaving them in a state of flux. On the night however it was a night … Continue reading
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Tagged Bad Touch, blues rock, Chris Ousey, gig, hard rock, Harry James, Islington Academy, Laurie Wisefield, Micky Moody, Neil Murray, review, Snakecharmer, Thunder, Whitesnake
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Gig review: KING KING – Islington Academy, London, 11 November 2015
It takes time to be an overnight sensation but King King, and singer guitarist Alan Nimmo in particular, have enjoyed a spectacular rise to fame recently. Having paid his dues for a long time with the Nimmo Brothers and now … Continue reading
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Tagged 11 November 2015, Alan Nimmo, Ben Poole, blues, blues rock, gig, Islington Academy, King King, London, review
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Gig review: POWERWOLF – Islington Academy, London, 9 September 2015
A triple metal bill in midweek, what a nice treat. Did feel sorry for openers Xandria as they were on stage at seven not long after the doors had opened. They are not really my cup of tea with the … Continue reading
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Tagged 9th September 2015, gig review, Islington Academy, metal, Orden Ogan, power metal, powerwolf, rock, Xandria
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Gig review: BLUES PILLS – Islington Academy, London, 22 April 2015
The latest in the seemingly endless line of classic rock revivalists, a big buzz has emerged around Blues Pills. In their short career they have topped many end of year polls, including being GRTR!’s own tip for 2015. Then on … Continue reading
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Tagged 22 April 2015, Blues Pills, blues rock, gig, Islington Academy, London, Psychedelic Rock, review, rock
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Gig review: KAMELOT – O2 Islington Academy, 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
Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews
Tagged 14 March 2015, gig, Gus G, Islington Academy, Kamelot, London, metal, O2, power metal, review
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Gig review: 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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Tagged 12 March 2015, Brad Gillis, gig, hard rock, Islington Academy, Jack Blades, Kelly Keagy, Kerri Kelli, London, melodic, Night Ranger, review
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Gig review: WINGER – Islington Academy, London, 21 June 2014
It’s been four years since Winger last toured the UK, playing this very same venue, but in the intervening years Kip Winger’s solo shows have intensified the loyalty of their following here, and the Academy was pretty full for the … Continue reading
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Tagged 21 June 2014, Black Wolf, gig, hard rock, Islington Academy, Jettblack, Kip Winger, London, melodic, Reb Beach, review, Winger
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Gig Review- TESLA – Islington Academy, London, 12 June 2014
Tesla’s UK tour in support of their excellent new album Simplicity was a blink and you miss it affair, this first London date preceding an appearance at Download the following day. But, blending old and new, it was a timely … Continue reading
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Tagged 12 June 2014, gig, hard rock, Islington Academy, London, melodic, review, Tesla
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Gig review – RICHIE SAMBORA – Islington Academy, London, 13 June 2014
‘He walked in to the party like he was walking on to a yacht’, so the song goes. Richie Sambora strutted on to the stage dressed in a smart white jacket and ripped jeans to be greeted by enthusiastic screams … Continue reading
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Tagged 13 June 2014, Bon Jovi, gig, Islington Academy, live, London, metal, Orianthi, review, Richie Sambora, rock
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Gig review: JAKE E LEE’S RED DRAGON CARTEL – Islington Academy, 6 June 2014
Red Dragon Cartel performed a stunning set in London on Friday night to mark a remarkable return to form for guitar hero Jake E. Lee. The legendary riff-master, best known for providing Ozzy Osbourne with some of his finest 80’s … Continue reading
Gig Review: VANDENBERG’S MOONKINGS – Islington Academy, London 24 April 2014
For a man with such a pedigree, both with his own band and spending longer as David Coverdale’s right hand man in Whitesnake than anyone else, Adrian Vandenberg’s profile has been surprisingly low for a number of years. However the … Continue reading
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Tagged 24 April 2014, Adrian Vandenberg, gig, hard rock, Islington Academy, London, melodic, review, Vandenberg's Moonkings, Whitesnake
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Gig Review: QUEENSRYCHE – Islington Academy, 12 October 2013
Queensryche are the benchmark against which any progressive metal band must measure themselves. But they’ve had troubled times. Recent albums have sold poorly and last year, front man Geoff Tate was unceremoniously dumped after a back stage bust up. Tate … Continue reading
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Tagged Crimson Glory, gig, hard rock, Islington Academy, metal, prog metal, progressive, Queensryche, review, Todd La Torre
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Gig review: LAST IN LINE – Islington Academy, 1 August 2013
LAST IN LINE + SWEET SAVAGE + DENDERA A two thirds full Islington Academy to see the surviving members of the classic Dio line-up from the early/mid-80’s, no mean feat as August is never a great month for gigs outside … Continue reading
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Tagged 11 August 2013, Dendera, Dio, gig, heavy metal, Islington Academy, Jimmy Bain, Last In Line, London, review, rock, Sweet Savage, Vinny Appice, Vivian Campbell
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