Not even the anticipated torrential rain could spoil the vibe at Cardiff castle as a very busy early crowd prepare to greet openers, Teen Mortgage. This two piece are no strangers to the big stage and set about instantly delivering riff after riff as they get the crowd going with their skate punk infused, scuzz […]
Sirenia with Temperance & Symphonity at Manchester Academy.
Saturday night in Manchester means only one thing today which is a night of symphonic metal to really get your weekend started. However…. Unfortunately, first band Symphonity had a start time of 7:20 which made the first half of the set extremely quiet which felt awkward to watch. The band’s stage presence lacked in some […]
Static Lives with Urban Theory & Sietch at 33 Oldham Street, Manchester.
33 Oldham Street is a new upcoming music venue in the heart of Manchester ready to open its doors to new bands. and tonight that involves Sheffield born Static Lives on their first headline tour. For a music venue you can tell it’s brand new with the impressive lighting on the ceiling and very clean, […]
Bruce Dickinson / Black Smoke Trigger – Manchester Academy.
Black Smoke Trigger Initiating proceedings tonight is a four-piece hard rock outfit from New Zealand. Straightforward, driving mid-tempo guitar with stomping beats was the vibe, and they achieved this well, the Sunday night crowd quickly warming to them during their solid but brief set. At times it was clear to see Chris Cornell’s influence on […]
Martin Turner at the Robin 2 along with Small Changes.
Martin Turner returned to the Robin 2 to play the Live Dates Volume II album in its entirety plus some additional favourites. This was a very early start for a Sunday gig, with doors opening at 4pm and before Martin and the band take to the stage there is a short set from Birmingham ensemble […]
Sick Of It All + Going Off + Chain of Survival, Rebellion, Manchester.
Chain of Survival from Liverpool were the first band on and warmed things up with a short and tightly played set of fast punk and thrash-influenced hardcore. They ended with an excellent cover of ‘Victim in Pain’ by Agnostic Front. Up next were young local band, Going Off, who brought a slightly heavier brand of […]
The History of Rock – Brierley Hill Civic Hall.
The History of Rock is a celebration of rock music covering the past 55 or so years with songs from the late 1960’s performed by a group of well-heeled musicians, some of whom will be recognised from other bands. Much of the two-part setlist is dedicated to one of Britain’s best known rock bands – […]
Kira Mac and Jayler at KK’s Steelmill.
Well, what a night this turned out to be with the fabulous Kira Mac, complete with line-up changes, and a swerve in their musical direction, along with newcomers, Jayler, who have been compared to Greta Van Fleet or, as I like to call them, Led Zeppelin Junior – more on this later. It’s been a […]
It’s The Hundred Watt Club, Gloucester Guildhall, March 2024.
Time for something completely different – and, no, it’s not Monty Python but it is pretty damned funny at times. Comedy, burlesque, magic, circus – this show had it all as the fabulous Hundred Watt Club returned to the Gloucester Guildhall for the first of 4 visits this year. For those that don’t know, the […]
Dragon Force with Amaranthe & Infected Rain, Manchester Academy.
This is one insane tour from looking at the poster alone. British Power Metal legends from London, Dragon Force merged with Swedish Heavy Metal band, Amaranthe. A sold out tour and thankfully we managed to get in to witness this insane show at Manchester Academy, which I’m surprised was the venue of choosing and not […]