Category Archives: Live

The Damned, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Darkness falls early as Winter’s grip takes hold, a kind of bleakness can be felt crawling through the souls of those who seek a musical thrill, who require the artistic fix and the bite of passion in which to ward off the tendrils of despair; darkness falls, we Wait for the Blackout, and then in a bright burst of light, a flash of coronal mass ejection, darkness is abated for a while, we look to the heavens for answers and find only one possible solution, that The Damned have found a way to light the sky and the way forward.

The Damned, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(548 words, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)

Heaven 17, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool. (2018).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There will always be bands, institutions that come calling to the music venues of Liverpool of whom you just instinctively understand that the city will always turn out for in their droves for, that there will never be a moment when the loving feeling they have nurtured and held on to, will ever fade away.

A night when Heaven 17 drives its trusted and adored bandwagon across from South Yorkshire to the home of British Pop Music has always been one to savour, however in recent years it has taken on more a sense of mystical symbolism, the anniversaries have come thick and fast, important dates that are always worth celebrating have come round with what is sure to be seen as enticing to the fans as all celebrations do.

Heaven 17, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool. (2018). full post

(473 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

Mersey Wylie, Gig Review. Studio 2, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

The applause is long, whistles of appreciation hit the pleasantly decorated eaves above the audience’s head, the walls of the playground that is the Studio 2 on Parr Street have shaken with the sound of a woman’s magnificence hitting an all-time high, and somewhere in each attendee’s heart, a passion could be visibly be seen to stir has been woken, an appetite, a hunger they never knew they had, has been evidently awoken; and all in the cause of Mersey Wylie taking her much deserved bow at the end of a night which has been remarkable, unequalled.

Mersey Wylie, Gig Review. Studio 2, Liverpool. full post

(509 words, estimated 2:02 mins reading time)

Charlie Austen, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Occasionally life grants you a moment to look beyond the emerald veil, the eyes of the wizard looking down on you with kindness rather than mischief, a single glance at a performer who embraces a feeling of non-conformity but who has the range to delight and make music seem simple, honest and with just the right amount of poetry in their soul in which to open your heart to them.

Charlie Austen, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(399 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Glenn Tilbrook, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

We are only human after all, and we can all be lured by the seemingly ripe berries of another bush but in the end we always return cap in hand and contrite to a love that remains undiminished, one that greets us with a broad grin, a smile that is enchanting and real, not one engrossed in delivering a plastic set of rules. Instead, one who will come out on stage and perform with natural ease that time doesn’t just fly in their company, it purrs like a finely tuned vehicle along crowded British streets and one that the driver is more than happy to show you every single point of interest along the way.

Glenn Tilbrook, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(474 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

Live On Mars: A Tribute To David Bowie, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

You can attempt to capture the conscious of a king, you may have the ear of a president but for some the insistence that you cannot capture the soul of a Duke is the most sacred of idioms, the utmost of respects delivered, after all, the soul and image, the words and thoughts of a Duke are surely only ever realised when it comes from the mind of David Bowie.

Live On Mars: A Tribute To David Bowie, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(472 words, estimated 1:53 mins reading time)

King Crimson, Gig Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There is no greater recognition of the art than that which reflects on its greatness, whilst looking at it from a different angle, of gaining a new perspective.

In an age where music is being redefined by the artist to include remixes, and in some cases what can only be described as adulterations, to the original cause, it is perhaps an idea in which can be seen as beautifully engaging, or arguably bemoaned by others as art for arts’ sake, and one that brought a new dynamic, an innovative flavour to the Liverpool Empire stage, as King Crimson brought their talent to an audience, which for many would have been their first live undertaking.

King Crimson, Gig Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. full post

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

Anthrax, Gig Review. Birmingham Arena, Birmingham.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

In another place, perhaps in one which the overhead skies are permanently blue, the sun shines down with the kindness of a first date in summer and with the sizzling aroma of food being cooked for the hungry but dedicated masses, then having three support acts, or more, is arguably one in which the audiences can really get their teeth into. Aside from the logistics of such an action when held indoors and with limited time available, the feeling is one in which a support act to the main event gets some recognition but doesn’t have enough time in which to truly either leave their mark on the memory of the assembled.

Anthrax, Gig Review. Birmingham Arena, Birmingham. full post

(500 words, estimated 2:00 mins reading time)

Lamb Of God, Gig Review. Birmingham Arena, Birmingham.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There were always so many bands that were knocking on the door of the Metal scene as the genre exploded, groups that encompassed the complexity of style and the openness of lyrical exploration. Whilst Britain and America had the monopoly for a generation, if we were to look at the time afresh, would fans struggle of the concept of the big four, where would bands from the rest of Europe, South America and beyond fit into this seemingly timeless conglomerate, would it not encompass a far broader base of Metal as Metallica seemed to take the avenue down and leaving the Thrash behind.

Lamb Of God, Gig Review. Birmingham Arena, Birmingham. full post

(453 words, estimated 1:49 mins reading time)

Slayer, Gig Review. Birmingham Arena, Birmingham.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

There is still time, an illusionary discourse perhaps as all things must eventually fade from view but as we approach our own deal with our makers and accept that we cannot go on forever, so we begin to see Time as our witness, our star spectator and possible judge. For Time is the harshest critic and the kindest of opponents, Time is the beat between the strings of the truculent guitar, the pulse in the drum pattern and the throb of delight as the lyrics of a career fill a venue, the volume drowning the thought that in the end, everybody says goodbye one final time.

Slayer, Gig Review. Birmingham Arena, Birmingham. full post

(523 words, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)