Settle down with a cup of tea and a jammie dodger . . . this is an epic! It’s Saturday afternoon (yes – 17:30 doors!) and we’re at the Apollo in Manchester – a Grade II listed, art deco concert hall for Kreator’s ‘Krushers of the World’ Tour. They’re supported by grindcore/death metal pioneers Carcass, […]
Elkie Brooks: The Long Farewell Tour at Cheltenham Town Hall
I remember listening to Vinegar Joe in the early 1970’s, the band fronted by Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer. Lasting just 3 years between 1971 and 1974 this was the chapter that was to launch both of their solo careers. The album I was listening to, and subsequently went out and bought with my hard-earned […]
Martin Turner at Huntingdon Hall, Worcester.
Martin Turner returned to the Huntingdon Hall, Worcester armed with a new old drummer in Tim Brown, the rest of the old men, Misha Nikolic and Danny Willson, remained fully intact, well mostly. Danny Willson may never have been completely intact! A fully seated audience of around 160 people took their pews, quite literally, as […]
M2TM Heat 5 – Jericho Tavern, Oxford – March 21 2026
Another packed evening at the Jericho Tavern as we kick off Heat 5 of the road to Bloodstock. It is heartening to see such enduring strong attendance at these gigs and it’s no wonder – the line up tonight is strong as any despite another last minute change. Away With The Seas join us from […]
Less Than Jake, The Barstool Preachers, The Aquabats & The Bouncing Souls – Manchester Academy
It’s a night for ska-punk in Manchester with one hell of a circus line up! The room in Manchester Academy is packed out from the beginning with a blend of generations here for a night of letting their hair down on a Thursday night! Parents have their kids ready and dressed looking like the Aquabats […]
Crystal Lake, Miss May I, Great American Ghost, Diesect – The Brook Southampton
Southampton is the location of choice tonight for a packed evening of back to back metalcore mayhem! Japanese Metalcore legends Crystal Lake unite with US heavyweights Miss May I for a co-headline tour, joined by hardcore band Great American Ghost and Brisbane based nu-metalcore band Diesect. The venue is pleasingly packed despite it being a […]
M2TM Heat 4 – Jericho Tavern, Oxford – March 7 2026
We are back at the Jericho Tavern ready to kick off heat four of M2TM and Oxford’s metal contingent are out in force for what promises to be a stellar round of performances. On the bill tonight are Maidenhead-based RE:O, newcomers to the competition who are stepping up against returning Bristol-based Radioactive Puppies of Chernobyl […]
The Cost with Gannets and Made You Look/Made You Stare at Nottingham Rescue Rooms
THE COST rolled into Rescue Rooms on Monday 16 February 2026 as part of their Doppler Affection tour, delivering a high-octane night that showcased three very different but complementary live acts. With doors opening at 7:30pm, the evening ran like clockwork — no wasted time, no loss of momentum — and a packed room clearly […]
Kataklysm, Vader, Blood Red Throne – Manchester Club Academy
Venue downgrade: two words combined to strike fear into the hearts of musicians and fans alike. Conversely, it can be spun around as providing a more intimate show with genuine human connection! Also, this isn’t a knock on the quality of the lineup; a trifecta of Death Metal destruction, spearheaded by crushing Canadian force Kataklysm! […]
Orianthi with James Bruner at Leeds Brudenell
James Bruner’s Leeds set had real momentum, helped along by a tight selection of originals that showed off both his guitar chops and his growing identity as a songwriter. He tore into “Fire in My Veins”, a riff‑driven opener that immediately set the tone, before shifting into the swaggering groove of “Red Velvet Riot”, which […]