Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
The walls at the o2 Academy have seen some incredible acts in the long years that it has stood on Hotham Street, it has held those memories within its brickwork and steel framing for so long that perhaps it is unsurprising that those reminiscences, the ghosts of fantastic sessions decided to come out of the stonework, to bleed themselves out and drench the audience in sweat at the outstanding and ear obliterating concert given by Heaven’s Basement.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Wales has always managed to hold onto its musical secrets until the right time comes along to unleash them upon the world in a blaze of Welsh pride, especially its rock groups. The Alarm, Manic Street Preachers, The Reasoning and The Stereophonics all have become household names over the decades not just in their home country but across the River Severn and through the mountains and hills of the North and invaded the collective music thought of the neighbours in England.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Some people kick off their weekend by taking off their work shoes slumping infront of the television for the night and only moving again when the television reception goes wonky. Others will be more adventurous and make their way into town and watch television on a big screen as Wimbledon reaches its climax. For some though the chance to take in some music, to find an oasis in a desert, is too compelling an opportunity to mess with and as Skarlett Riot entered the fray at the O2 Academy to a crowd that was already in love with them after catching the foursome finish their warm-up, there may as well have been a big sign stamped on the wall saying, your weekend starts here, rock your heart out and enjoy!
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Just a little over a 24 hours since he went on stage as part of a phenomenal line up at the Echo Arena, Simon Townshend graced the Liverpool o2 Academy with a set that burned with excellence and unequivocal energy.
As part of The Who alongside Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, Simon had rocked and stormed the large arena in town and given those present one of the loudest concerts they are likely to hear all year. When stepping onto the stage at The Academy though, he was more sedate and laid back but funnily enough just as intense and creatively thunderous, it was almost as if the spirits that had guided him as part of the much loved British band were still hanging around and urging him to continue the good work.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 10/10
Towards the end of The Who’s impressive, even epic set, there was a small message that blinked into existence for just the briefest of seconds which uttered the instruction, “Keep rocking, Liverpool’, in truth this is a city that doesn’t need telling twice but as instructions go it was up there with the best of them.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10
From ashes does life grow, it can and will flourish given the right space, the right temperament and in music terms being somebody who cares deeply about their passion for picking up a guitar and taking an audiences hand through some great rock numbers.
When the fabulous Kids With Lighters unfortunately went their amicable separate ways, there could have been the usual fallout of genuine talent falling by the way side and emerging as some do many years later looking for a second stab at the profession. Not so with Rob McGuffin, the highly likeable and intelligent musician has carefully and with a large amount of skill attached to his superb disposition been making inroads again and has already proved himself of all places in the heart of Birmingham with his chosen musical weapon.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
To be nervous is to expected, it is the little butterflies that growl hungrily and gnaw at you which define those that can do what they do in front of audience and those that can’t. In the raw, unrestrained and beautiful sounding Sophie Dodd it is something she may carry but she succeeds in taming them as if they were rampaging lions reduced to mewing helpless kittens.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
There are some people that just can hold an audience’s appreciation of their craft so well that it is a privilege to watch their response to their heroes on stage. Even keeping yourself at a respectful distance so that you can take in the message of the evening, watch both the reaction of performer and crowd, somehow observing one of the greats of rock Brian May and the sensational singer Kerry Ellis draws in the most impassive of spectators.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
The Sugarmen have built up a steady reputation, one that a sweaty, sultry night in Liverpool’s The Cavern Club can only further enhance. Presented by Radio Merseyside’s legendary local music champion Dave Monks, The Sugermen gave a blistering account of themselves on what can only be described a scintillating night.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10
No matter the festival, no matter the venue or size, there is a certain kudos and accepted pressure that goes alongside the honour and even though Liverpool Calling was just a day out for some, the chance to sit in the relaxing atmosphere of one of Liverpool’s memorials to the fallen of the Second World War, the iconic St. Luke’s Church, and take in the music on offer from the abundance of bands, for Obstacles the moment was precious and demanding. It was a demand they rose to.