Category Archives: Live

Obituary, Gig Review. Birmingham Arena, Birmingham.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Even the sternest downpour on any given day in Birmingham would find it demanding, a grim and tiresome challenge, to attempt to quell the fire in the hearts of Florida’s Obituary and their fans; a monsoon of emotions erupting as the first toll of the metal bell was heard, the swathe of the audience that had made sure of their places for the first act of four to grace the Birmingham Arena, a notice given, the tributes written possibly in advance, retirement for the main event of the evening. For Obituary, the rain that had fallen, the deluge that had swept over the city streets, was soon forgotten, this was a return to the Birmingham public and one that was greeted with heated passion.

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

(445 words, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)

Gary Edward Jones: Something About Simon, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

There is no such thing as the background, no place where silence can truly be the dominating factor, not when you are an artist. It matters not where the artist resides, their field, their chosen place of expression, what others may consider to be a place of no production, is in fact a factory of ideas being turned over, modified, refined, tested and worried over; just because you don’t understand the process in which the artist has to find that special muse, does not mean they aren’t being productive.

Gary Edward Jones: Something About Simon, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(522 words, estimated 2:05 mins reading time)

Queen Extravaganza, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Extravaganza is a large word to live up to, it holds an allusion in its embracing hands that few can seriously make peace with, that many fold under the pressure of pursuing, the sense of the spectacular image being torn down by the performer as the sentence and expectations of the public become downed by the realisation that nothing truly can ever top the bill to the point where baited-breath and eyes on stalks witnesses such majesty.

Queen Extravaganza, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(544 words, estimated 2:11 mins reading time)

Kacey Musgraves, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

People make much of debut performances, the rite of passage which is seen as historic, the wish to not only enjoy at first-hand what the future may bring, but perhaps to deliver the knowing smile in homely company or at the places of work the thought that you were there to witness it.

Kacey Musgraves, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(424 words, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

Soccer Mommy, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Ration * * * *

It was arguably one of those nights in which it didn’t matter who the support act was, who broke the ice at the debut performance of Kacey Musgrave in Liverpool, the audience, understandably, could be seen to feel the rising tension of the long-awaited appearance of the Country superstar in their midst.

Soccer Mommy, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(537 words, estimated 2:09 mins reading time)

Robert Cray, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2018).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

If life is offering you nothing but Blues, then without any argument or sense of guilt the only thing that should be done is too take in the performance of a true link between the golden heyday of Blues, and its natural platinum standard of the 21st Century, that of the ever graceful American, and passionate guitar player, Robert Cray; it is a performance that thrill the bones of anyone, Anytime.

Robert Cray, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2018). full post

(418 words, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

The Mike Eldred Trio, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Temptation is either driven by the absolute desire to possess something that should never be yours, or by the smallest introduction to something that is beautiful, the latter not to own, but to at least explore, to take charge of feeling inadequate of not having seen its sparkling joy descend before your eyes before.

The Mike Eldred Trio, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(354 words, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

Level 42, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2018).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

It would be easy to give the phrase “There is something about them“ a gentle autumn-clean and present it as if it was the most novel expression coined about Level 42, however despite the wording being over used, it remains a factor of the subtly, the complexity and delivery of the band’s music that makes it a truth always worth pursuing and being entrusted with spreading the word about.

Level 42, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2018). full post

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

The Blow Monkeys, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

All good memories fade eventually, perhaps not disappearing forever, never completely out of grasp, but they do fade, they might lose their lustre, the moment when you declared a love forever lost to age, responsibility and the unknowing regret of not designed neglect, that is life, a passion for the always in your sight, replaced by the allure of other more tangible and currently immediate passions.

The Blow Monkeys, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(538 words, estimated 2:09 mins reading time)

Steeleye Span, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

History is a place where the modern-day eye falls sharply, and arguably with some personal antagonism, into the realm of judgement and criticism. It is a place that people forget the modern age in which we breathe our daily dust in, will also one day be criticised, pored over with unsentimental eyes and the feeling of damned ill-favour. To stand in the way of that judgement, to carry on producing great songs of lyrical poetry, of music that is powerful in its intent, and demanding in its delivery, that is verging on the heroic, it is to remain resolute in the face of those who dare suggest with snide lips, that nothing of the days that have passed is relevant anymore.

Steeleye Span, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

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