Tag Archives: live

Album review : SPIRIT – Sea Dream (4CD Expanded and Remastered boxset)

SPIRIT - Sea Dream

Cherry Red [Release date : 28.11.25] Californian band, Spirit, blossomed in the fertile fields of psychedelic rock. They came together in 1967, the year of “The Summer Of Love”, a year later they released their self titled debut. Its febrile … Continue reading

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Gig review: SAXON – 02 Academy, Glasgow, 9 November 2025

SAXON – 02 Academy, Glasgow, 9 November 2025

Mention Saxon to anyone and they will probably reply with ‘Ah, Wheels Of Steel!’. This song and album have become fixtures in any self-respecting rock fans collection and one of the defining albums from the NWOBHM period. The album has … Continue reading

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Album review: JAN AKKERMAN – My Focus Live Under The Rainbow

JAN AKKERMAN - My Focus Live Under The Rainbow

Music Theories Recordings [Release date: 12.12.25] Possibly missed by some, Jan Akkerman played a short series of dates in the UK in February 2025. Fortunately this rare excursion has been captured on a new live album. It seems that Akkerman … Continue reading

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Gig review: GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV – 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 20th October 2025

GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV – 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 20th October 2025

I have my son to thank for turning me on to Gregory Alan Isakov’s music. As an artist, he hadn’t been on my radar, and four years ago I don’t think he was on many other radars in the UK … Continue reading

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Gig review: FRANCIS ROSSI – Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline, 15 October 2025

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The title of ‘rock legend’ is a hard earned badge of honour bestowed on the few that have dedicated their lives to the cause and have left their indelible mark on rock music. Francis Rossi is most deserving of this … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROBIN MCAULEY – Classic Grand, Glasgow, 16 August 2025

ROBIN MCAULEY – Classic Grand, Glasgow, 16 August 2025

On Friday 13th May 1983 I went along to the Playhouse in Edinburgh as a fresh faced teen to see the mighty Iron Maiden for the first time. Maiden were superb and the gig was one to remember, but the … Continue reading

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Gig review: WASP – 02 Academy, Glasgow, 25 July 2025

WASP 15

Some bands just seem to get things right from the very start. This may be down to them producing a set worth of songs that they then hone over many years playing pubs and clubs and building up a following … Continue reading

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Gig review: IRON MAIDEN – Hydro, Glasgow 30th June 2025

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As landmarks go, reaching 50 years in any business is an achievement, but to reach that in the fickle world of the music business is a bloody miracle. Iron Maiden have weathered the storm over the years by sheer hard … Continue reading

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Gig review: MICHAEL SCHENKER – The Garage, Glasgow, 13 May 2025

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Herr Schenker is at a point in his career where anniversaries are coming along as regularly as Glasgow buses. Having been in the business this long, the milestones keep on coming and his year it is Michael’s time in UFO … Continue reading

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Album review : STATUS QUO – Live! (Super Deluxe 8 CD Edition)

STATUS 150 QUO Live deluxe

earMusic [Release date : 16.05.24] You’ve really got to hand it to whoever guides Status Quo through the pop and rock music jungle, carefully mining their back catalogue. Brilliantly marketed, with ads that hit all the right notes in the … Continue reading

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Gig review: FISH – O2 Academy, Glasgow, 9 March 2025

FISH – O2 Academy, Glasgow, 9 March 2025

‘So here I am once more in the playground of the broken hearts…’ Fish and his music have been a constant in my life for the past 42 years. I first saw him onstage back on the 31st December 1983 … Continue reading

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Album review: JON ANDERSON & THE BAND GEEKS – Live, Perpetual Change

JON ANDERSON & THE BAND GEEKS - Live Perpetual Change

Frontiers [Release date : 14.03.25] We reviewed Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks’ debut album, True, last year. For the Geeks, Richie (BOC) Castellano, Andy Ascolese, Christopher Clark and Matt Beck, the self deprecating band name turned out to be … Continue reading

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Gig review: MIKE + THE MECHANICS – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 3 March 2025

MIKE + THE MECHANICS – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 3 March 2025

It’s amazing how the (living) years roll by. Mike + The Mechanics are now celebrating 40 years as an entity and show no signs of slowing down any time soon. Mike Rutherford, now shorn of the Genesis day job, has … Continue reading

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Gig review: BETH HART – Hammersmith Apollo, 20 February 2025

Beth Hart London 20 Feb 2025 Photo by Manuela Langotsch (8)

An evening in the company of Beth Hart is always an immersive experience. Across her long career – and arguably never as popular in the UK as right now – this eclectic singer and musician never gives anything less than … Continue reading

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Gig review: MAGNUM – The O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, 21 January 2025

Gig review: MAGNUM – The O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, 21 January 2025

It is just over a year since the sad passing of Tony Clarkin, Magnum’s songwriter, guitarist and inspiration. And now the rest of the band have reformed to celebrate his glorious words and music. Titled ‘A Passage Through Time’ this … Continue reading

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Gig review: GUN – Barrowlands, Glasgow, 14 December 2024

GUN – Barrowlands, Glasgow, 14 December 2024

Over the years many bands have embarked on a pre-Christmas tour around the nation. Status Quo and Motorhead are two that spring to mind, and going further back in time, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s Xmas shows in the Glasgow … Continue reading

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Gig review: LAZARUS HEIGHTS – The Auditorium, Bassilac, SW France, 7 December 2024

Lazarus Heights

It’s not everyday a Dordogne based Anglo-French band records a live album in a local auditorium, but Lazarus Heights are nothing if not adventurous. They are also resilient and versatile, related facets which serve them well in a seated venue … Continue reading

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Gig review: MASSIVE WAGONS – SWG3, Glasgow, 27 November 2024

MASSIVE WAGONS – SWG3, Glasgow, 27 November 2024

Wednesday nights are not renowned as party nights, but with Massive Wagons back in town a healthy crowd gathered in SWG3 to rock along with the band that always get the party started. With a full on night of thrash … Continue reading

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Gig review: ANTHRAX – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 23 November 2024

Gig review: ANTHRAX – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 23 November 2024

It’s been a while. 35 years in fact, since I last saw Anthrax. March 1989 at this very venue. I had to look it up, but I needn’t have bothered. During a mid-set chat, Scott Ian listed all the times … Continue reading

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Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024

Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024

They may not have the same veteran status as the headliners of this show, but Reef are celebrating 30 years in the business this year. No mean feat, with founding members Gary Stringer on vocals and Jack Bessant on bass. … Continue reading

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Album review: JOHN WETTON – Concentus (10-CD box set)

JOHN WETTON - Concentus (10-CD box set)

David Randall chatted to John Wetton in April 2009.  This interview was first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio 19 April 2009 and now reissued in “The GRTR! Archive” series. Spirit Of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red Records [Release date 15.11.24] … Continue reading

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Gig review: ALICE COOPER – Hydro, Glasgow, 14 October 2024

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Come October the mind starts to stray to thoughts of Halloween, of ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night! What better to soundtrack those dark thoughts than a night with the king of scare himself, Alice … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEVE HACKETT – Royal Albert Hall, London, 23 October 2024

Gig review: STEVE HACKETT – Royal Albert Hall, London, 23 October 2024

Steve Hackett continues to tour relentlessly, playing to packed houses of knowledgeable and enthusiastic fans, year after year. Tonight, the venerable Royal Albert Hall was sold out and brimming with anticipation. A couple of tracks in and even the vastly … Continue reading

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Album review: LAYLA ZOE – Into The Blue, Live In Concert

Layla Zoe - Into the Blue

Layla Zoe Music [Release date: 13.09.24] To say Layla Zoe warms to the notion of being an independent artist, is to understate her willingness to both dig deep for her emotions in a concert situation,  and fly in the face … Continue reading

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Gig review: APOCALYPTICA – SWG3, Glasgow, 3 October 2024

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Many years ago I attended a guitar masterclass with the legendary singer/songwriter Gordon Giltrap. It was just one man with an acoustic guitar, but the sound and sheer ferocity of riffage he managed to extract from his poor, tortured acoustic … Continue reading

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