When I last reviewed the Holy Holy show in 2015 link here I stated it was the best gig of the year. My only regret from the article is writing the line: “If this is what can be done during Bowie’s retirement from live performances, then stay retired Mr B”. Sadly, David had entered the final […]
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Holy Holy – Tony Visconti and Woody Woodmansey @ Town Hall, 13 February 2019

When I last reviewed the Holy Holy show in 2015 link here I stated it was the best gig of the year. My only regret from the article is writing the line: “If this is what can be done during Bowie’s retirement from live performances, then stay retired Mr B”. Sadly, David had entered the final […]
Hanson @ Symphony Hall 11 February 2019

As someone who spent the 90’s making create-your-own Beatles scarves out of old curtains whilst my peers were crying over some guy called ‘Robbie’ leaving a band called Take That, I started this evening having previously heard just two Hanson singles. One was ‘Penny and Me’, the other I’m sure is easy to guess. The […]
Hoobastank + Buckcherry + Adelitas Way @ o2 Institute 10th February 2019

Tonight is bitterly cold again, no ice needed in our drinks, I’m not really sure what to be expecting from Hoobastank given I’ve not seen them live but I am liking Adelitas Way and being a Buckcherry fan this should be an exciting and interesting night of hard rock and roll. Opening up and getting […]
The Murder Capital + The Cosmics + Bad Girlfriend @ Sunflower Lounge, 5th February 2019

The late pick-up on this gig combined with a very busy weekend meant that I was unprepared and unresearched for the bill this evening. All I knew was that the one track on a streaming service that I found from The Murder Capital would be all I had to base my anticipation on. However, thanks […]
Rival Sons @ o2 Academy, 5th February 2019

Mixing a little California cool with a little Nashville edge, hard rock band Rival Sons is an amalgamation of style and sound. Their anthemic rock records are massive, warping and transfixing a room in an unparalleled way. This pure epicness was on full display as Rival Sons took to the O2 Academy. Bringing new release […]
Enter Shikari @ o2 Academy, 1 February 2019

What’s the best thing for a band to do between albums and tours? While this may be influenced by their position – i.e. they can’t actually afford to take an extended holiday and need to keep the wheels oiled and turning – it’s tremendously gratifying when almost anything happens during these in-between-y bits. What’s even […]
Parkway Drive @ Nottingham Arena, 31 January 2019

On a cold night in Nottingham, we visit a pretty big venue for acts of this genre and people arrived in their flocks to see this one. The Australian deathcore band Thy Art Is Murder were first in line to tackle the crowd. With frontman CJ stating early on, ‘For the next 30 minutes, you […]
Bastille @ o2 Academy, 29 January 2019

There is a certain electricity that is seemingly infused into every song and stage that Bastille touch. Their masterful ability to splice together wildly different sonic elements paired with their lyrical content that is both poetic and ironic gives the band an edge that that has launched them to stardom. Hitting the road, Bastille opened […]
Amy Shark @ O2 Institute 3 Birmingham, 29 January 2019

Australian singer/songwriter Amy Shark had an eventful journey to the first UK gig on her tour, after finding two migrants hiding in her tour bus. Her album, Love Monster, is already award-winning in Australia after single ‘Adore’ hit the Triple J rotation, and she has a cult (her own word) following in the UK too. […]
The Cardigans back catalogue remastered on vinyl

The Cardigans back catalogue remastered on vinyl In a fit of almost masochistic folly, The Cardigans released their debut album ‘Emmerdale’, into the UK music scene at the height of what was to become Britpop and during an overwhelming frenzy of lager and ladism. In 1994 the world was not waiting for a soft and […]
Snow Patrol + Kodaline @ Arena Birmingham, 25 January, 2019

It’s been a while since Snow Patrol toured and a sold out Arena beckons them back to Birmingham. There are two supports tonight, unfortunately I miss the first due to the combination of traffic and Friday, these are the bands that could be the next Snow Patrol and it frustrates me to miss them. I’m […]
The Pack – ‘Dead Ronin’ vinyl release

When I first heard Theatre of Hate in 1980, they seemed to appear from nowhere. Nobody sounded like Theatre of Hate then and no one ever did after. However, Theatre of Hate did not spring up from nothing. I found out much later that before Theatre of Hate was The Pack. When I interviewed Kirk […]
EP Review – Nothing Is Nothing – Alcuna Wilds

British Dutch atmospheric trip rock band Alcuna Wilds create massive records that undulate with transfixing tempos and melodic lyrics. Intermixing a slew of sonic elements including ambient breathy synths, sombre vocals and rock tinged drum patterns each song is a layering of sound that is simple yet complex. Released on 25th January Nothing Is Nothing […]
Powerwolf + Amaranthe + Kissin’ Dynamite @ The Mill, 22 January 2019

What a night. How am I going to write a review that does the night justice? So please bear with me, for tonight I was fortunate enough to catch up with the almighty metal Gods of Powerwolf as they end their UK stint of their ‘Sacament of Sin tour’ following their recently released namesake album. […]