...the band's anthem of sorts Heroes Never Die takes the place by storm ... as there are times when one could swear that the roof actually attempts to levitate itself a couple of inches, just to tip its hat All photos: Chris Walkden This one seemed a long time coming - a feeling clearly shared..
Evil Scarecrow – Sheffield 02 Academy 03 November 2021
Evil Scarecrow photos: Ian Jenkinson Metal may be a serious business and not many would disagree with that notion, but humour can go a long way and is very much a requirement following the last 18 months. Even the most serious of metal heads cannot fail to be swayed by Nottingham’s Evil Scarecrow and there..
THE BLACKHEART ORCHESTRA – Wigan Baptist Church, 30 Oct 2021
At one particular time in proceedings they both perform a song on the Korg synth at the same time, their arms crossing each other like some bizarre musical game of Twister. Out of all of the music venues throughout the world, there are a few which resonate with a particularly iconic status, big or small...
STEVE HACKETT – London Palladium, 20 Sept 2021
The first forty minutes saw Hackett reminding us he’s not just all about keeping the Genesis flame alive, he’s also still a contemporary recording artist of some significance All photos by Mark Stimpson 'Well, isn’t it lovely to be able to go out again? Our first tour in 18 months', Steve Hackett gushes after the..
Robert Jon, photo by Phil Honley
Robert Jon & The Wreck – The Bourne Club, Sittingbourne, 17/09/2021
Thursday 5th March 2020. That was the last time I went to a live gig, one of the fortunate ones to see Samantha Fish before she had to pack up her tour halfway through due to the Covid lockdown. Here we are, 18 months later, and I’m fortunate again to break my fast on Robert..
NEW DAY FESTIVAL 2021 (August 20-22, Mount Ephraim Gardens, Faversham)
PHOTOS BY John Bull (john.bull@mac.com) After a year’s enforced absence, the New Day Festival welcomed back fans to listen to three days of music, performed by a wide assortment of acts, in the sumptuous settings of beautiful Mount Ephraim gardens, just a few miles north-west of Canterbury. A new day perhaps, but it seemed as..
Caligula’s Horse – “Live after Lockdown”, Brisbane, 20 June 2021
Sunday 20th June saw a select audience of 295 souls worshipping their heroes Caligulas Horse at Brisbane's The Triffid (an old WW2 aircraft hangar). This was a Live after Lockdown streamed performance partly showcasing the band's 2020 album Rise Radiant. As livestream products go, I have to say this isn't of the highest standard -..
The Damn Truth – Live In Montreal, 9 June 2021
Livestream performances can be a bit of a mixed blessing. For some the lack of the crowd - and the smell and heat of the crowd - diminishes the performance to the point of merely listening to a live album. Some artists are clearly affected by the lack of atmosphere. The Damn Truth do not..
PINEAPPLE THIEF – LIVECAST 22 April 2021: ‘VERY NEARLY LIVE (BUT NOT QUITE)’
It’s a sobering possibility that there’s a generation of young people who may never experience the excitement, mutually exchanged body fluids, and archly bonding euphoria of a sweaty, alcohol enhanced live event in a club venue, packed like sardines yet utterly wrapped up in the moment. Such has been the paradigm shift of the last..
Live Stream – Joe Bonamassa at Austin City Limits, 1st April 2021
I am becoming increasingly aware that I sound like a broken record when talking about Joe Bonamassa. The reason is not just that his studio output is excellent and getting better with each passing year, or even that his live shows are so consistently superb, but also that he seems to have the gift of..