Dec 10
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It’s a bitter night, with frost and fog forecast, in fact the weather-girl has suggested to stay at home unless necessary. Stay at home and miss Athlete? No chance! |
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Dec 02
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It’s been a long time on the road Northern Ireland’s best band – The Answer – given that their support slot with the mighty AC/DC (which included a gig in Birmingham) saw them clock up well over 100 shows. But that hasn’t dampened their appetite to keep on touring, and now they’re back in the Midlands with a show of their own. |
Dec 01
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It seems The Civic Hall is destined to be home to a number of veterans of rock this evening in one guise or another….and no I am not just talking about the legendary king of theatrics, Mr. Alice Cooper! It might come as a surprise to some to learn that support band Man Raze is made up of some fine musicians from rock history in the form of vocals/guitarist Phil Collen (Def Leppard), bass player Simon Laffy (Girl) and last but by no means least, drummer Paul Cook (Sex Pistols). |
Nov 27
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My motivation for wanting to review Alison Moyet tonight, was pure curiosity. As one of the most successful British female vocalists of the 1980's hence a memorable part of my childhood, I was interested to hear her perform live some twenty years on. Right on time, the band take to the stage starting with Footsteps, Moyet walks on to rapturous applause and her vocals let rip... |
Nov 13
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This could quite possibly be one of the worst reviews you're about to read. Having been made aware of the existence of Alice In Chains a little over 15 years ago by an ex girlfriend who was going to see them. I confess to having never listened to any of their material until tonight’s gig and having Alice in Chains on as back ground music whilst penning words together for this very review.. |
Nov 04
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I must confess to going to see Andrea Bocelli with zero preconceptions. I knew he was an opera singer of international standing but was otherwise ignorant of his works. I didn't even realise he was blind until reading the program. I did, however, know he was incredibly popular by dint of his filling the National Indoor Arena to its 10,000 capacity with not inexpensive tickets so it was fair to say everyone else in the building knew his work intimately. |
Oct 31
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I arrived to catch the last couple of tracks from hardcore/death metal/grind outfit Oceano, who hail from the city of Chicago, Illnois, USA. The Academy 2 is already full to the rafters so that I have to shuffle through the crowds to get a good view. It's pretty easy to see these guys though as they are charged full of energy and pogoing around... |
Oct 28
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Originally this gig was billed with talented UK band Evile in the opening slot. However, due to the tragic death of bass player Mike Alexander earlier this month, it is Entombed who take up the primary slot. Which means we are in for an evening of vintage Swedish death metal from start to finish. |
Jun 28
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Entry to tonight’s gig was difficult, due to the box office staff trying to force me to have both a ticket and photo-pass (which I had to sign for). After some considerable explanation the photo-pass was taken back and I made my way to my seat, which was centre-stage and offering a superb view. The stage had been brought forward making the NIA quite cosy, but even so there were empty seats. |
May 22
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Tonight's outing is a curiously civilised affair, being at the Symphony Hall and all. However, the setting is a perfect fit for an artist such as Antony Hegarty. As we were being ushered to our seats, the announcement came over the tannoy that 'this evening's performance will begin in ten minutes, with a short opening act before Antony and the Johnsons take the stage.. |
Apr 30
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My first ever visit to The Glee Club and the first thing that strikes me is how small and intimate the studio is, so your really up close and personal to the artist’s. So when local Jake Flowers takes to the shoe box sized stage armed with his acoustic guitar there really is no place to hide. As he picks at his strings you feel the calm descend in the room.Jakes voice is soft and soothing ,as soon as you hear it your swept away to English landscapes, straw bales basking in the late evening sun, the country pub in winter with a welcoming fire to the weary traveller [you get the picture]. “ Footprints” and” One For The Ditch” keep alive the tradition of folk song writing, story telling handed down from one generation to the next. |
Apr 30
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Prog is a dirty word. It suggests over-indulgence, pretentiousness and, more often than not, organs. But one band that always managed to balance the stigma of the concept album with the cool-factor of being a rock band were Pink Floyd. This balance is probably why the Floyd were, and still are, so popular around the world. So popular, in fact, that a troupe of Australians have made a career out of impersonating them. |
