Category Archives: Live

Travis, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

The mid to late 90s British music scene will perhaps always be dominated by the thought of a collection of bands to whom the world, in one way or another, idolised, venerated and almost single-handedly took all the glory, all the passion and much of the energy that would have been arguably better suited to groups, artists and song writers to whom deserved it so much more. The Man Who would, the woman who could, have served the attentions of the public better because there was nothing more than splendour in their music, no egos, no bitterness, just a serenade that was inclusive and deeply, melancholic, melody driven, assuredly beautiful.

Travis, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(438 words, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

Dawn Oberg, Gig Review. The Cavern Club, Liverpool. International Pop Overthrow 2018.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

To take the entertainment and skill of the cabaret lounge and place under the intense microscope of the unsuspecting eyes of Liverpool Cavern Club patrons may seem an unlikely success, but for musician Dawn Oberg, the combination of upbeat performance and hard-hitting lyrics is one that anybody finding themselves in the company of the artist, could not fail to like, admire and wish she was in Britain more often than her native home in the United States of America.

Dawn Oberg, Gig Review. The Cavern Club, Liverpool. International Pop Overthrow 2018. full post

(413 words, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

Sleuth, Gig Review. The Cavern Club, Liverpool. International Pop Overthrow 2018.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Investigation is half the enjoyment of witnessing an abundance of bands when the Independent Pop Overthrow comes to one of its host cities. The research, the crossing off of a band, the tick box and the doodled happy face when you come across a group or artist who floats your boat and scratches the itch of the years of painted over smiles and thoughtful applause.

Sleuth, Gig Review. The Cavern Club, Liverpool. International Pop Overthrow 2018. full post

(348 words, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

Alison Green, Gig Review. The Cavern Club, Liverpool. International Pop Overthrow 2018.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Alison Green at The Cavern Club, May 2018. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

 

Some musicians and artist exemplify their surrounding so much that it is impossible to think of them in any other way, that the Cavern, the older, the more insistent part of Liverpool’s heritage in musical terms, should see the Independent Pop Overthrow return with such spectacular vision as to have within its ranks for a fifth straight year, Canterbury’s own but Liverpool loved, Alison Green.

Alison Green, Gig Review. The Cavern Club, Liverpool. International Pop Overthrow 2018. full post

(525 words, 1 image, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)

Siobhan Miller, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

In the voice of a siren, a person can feel their cares gently swept away, they can be swayed by the temper and the tempting and the listener is always grateful for the experience, forever in debt to the swirling thoughts of the tempest and the chance to feel the beauty in the combination of the rage and the placid call to which the siren sings.

Siobhan Miller, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(391 words, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Eddi Reader, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. (2018).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There are those that will always make a great marriage, a union which is reflected in the way the other side of the pair will always look to the other with hope in their eyes and love in their hearts; celebrated Scottish vocalist and musician Eddi Reader is that kind of performer and human being to whom the relationship with the audience is more than special, it is a marriage of souls and mutual appreciation to which continues to flourish and resonate each time she appears on stage.

Eddi Reader, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. (2018). full post

(463 words, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

Don McLean, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2018).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

We can all but dream of having the inscription and moniker “Legendary” attached to our name, to be remembered for bringing joy, a wealth of art perhaps, to have done something so epic that it will live past our own lifespan and be a reflection, a calling card for future generations to live up to. Rarely does that identifying mark truly expand upon the brilliant and dazzling first sense of illumination, but when it does, then you cannot but help feel awe when in the presence of such finery in the suit of a fellow human being.

Don McLean, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2018). full post

(464 words, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

Jarrod Dickenson, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

There should be lessons in disarming and charming audiences to whom, quite understandably, sometimes don’t want to sit through the situation of being polite to an unknown and out of country support. After all, they will argue, you don’t pay to eat at the finest restaurant and bite into a fast food burger as you approach the table and sniff the wine cork. If lessons are to be had, to be instructed upon then Texas’ Jarrod Dickenson would surely top the list of people to don the lecturer’s outfit and smile beguilingly at the crowd gathered.

Jarrod Dickenson, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(414 words, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

Danny Bryant, Gig Review. The Citadel, St. Helens. (2018).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Danny Bryant and band, with special guest Steve Hill, at The Citadel in St. Helens. Photograph taken and used with kind permission by Kirby Bryant.

They say, even in the brightest of days, in the most serene and beautiful of times, that someday, the rain will come; it is how you deal with the odd shower, the deluge, the emotions of seeing the water rise and threaten, and then the utter relief, the liberation in being able to able to reinforce the desire but at the same time holding onto the thoughts of honour before the days of rain.

Danny Bryant, Gig Review. The Citadel, St. Helens. (2018). full post

(496 words, 1 image, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)

Steve Hill, Gig Review. The Citadel, St. Helens.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Steve Hill on stage. Photograph by Eric Duvet.

It is one thing to listen to Canada’s Steve Hill via the medium in which he strides, to be thrilled by the sound that comes across as you sit down with headphones in place, the senses tingling at the image in the mind of a musician taking the mantle of the one-man band to its absolute height of sincerity and fascination. It is quite another to witness it in action, to see the Blues played with deftness and spirit, the smile and the stare in your mind as the notes ring out in the praise of the genre.

Steve Hill, Gig Review. The Citadel, St. Helens. full post

(521 words, 1 image, estimated 2:05 mins reading time)