J.J. Burnel in Glasgow 2012. Picture by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 4th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
Nobody should ever believe that The Stranglers ever give two performances that are the same. The set list may undergo little tweaks and the odd track be removed in favour of a song that the dedicated fans at that night’s venue would appreciate more but that aside, the only things that remain constant are the intensity of the music and the passion of the crowd.
The Stranglers in concert at the 02 Academy, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 6th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
The Stranglers took a well-deserved day off from their latest tour, the adrenalin no doubt still flowing strongly through their veins from a Glasgow gig that would take some beating for all who were fortunate to witness the gig.
The band arrived in the city the night before the o2 Academy, Liverpool gig to catch up with friends and partake in deep conversation. By the end of the gig, talk may have been on other things, events that rarely happen at concerts any more.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 12th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
Heavy Metal might not get the press coverage in Liverpool that is reserved for the excellent talent that gets covered and lauded over throughout the city but if any band that ventures west of Manchester gets as well received as Rise to Remain at the o2 Academy then not only will they have done well, they could consider themselves to have a future in the business.
Howard Jones in concert at the o2 Academy, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. April 14th 2012
L.S. Media Rating ****
To say Howard Jones is a consummate professional would be something of an understatement. Even though he appears to be one of the most laid back men to ever play to a packed o2 Academy Liverpool crowd, don’t let the easy going nature fool you. This is a model musician who wants his night to be as memorable and enjoyable as possible.
Matt Breen of the Endings. Picture by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. April 16th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
When Matt Breen walked on stage at the Cavern Pub in 2011, armed with only a guitar, cracking lyrics and an attitude that you sometimes think is missing from new bands today; it wasn’t a stretch of the imagination to think of this young man, not even 17 at the time, and his excellent group The Endings, going further and better than is normally possible for a band so young.
Dominic Crane, Picture from Allgigs.co.uk.
Originally published by L.S. Media. July 1st 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
There is something to be said for the moment where you realise that a performer of glorious musical intelligence is playing his heart out in front of you. That moment is magnified when as a music lover, no matter the genre, you are sure that what you are seeing before you is one of the most unlikely best support acts you are likely to hear in any year.
Chris Blythyn, lead singer with Route 22. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media.L.S. Media Rating ****
Wirral band Route 22 have all the right attributes and dedication to succeed, what is more impressive is the way, that on a night of supporting the supports at the o2 Academy, Liverpool, the four members of the band did it in front of an audience that had already spent their energy watching the previous group on offer and were now resting away from the stage.
Katie Lochhead from The Sub Zeros. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. July 8th 2012.L.S. Media Rating *****
Like Mercury Midnight and The Guardians before them, The Sub Zeros are a band that has something more to them than first meets the eye.
Fronted by the very fabulous Katie Lochhead on bass and vocals, The Sub Zeros took the o2 Academy, Liverpool by storm and left at the end of their set with heads held high and with the knowledge that there were a lot of converts to their incredible sound.
Broken English. Photograph By Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. July 14th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
There is something particularly engaging about the band Broken English. It may be the that four of the group have roots that spread far beyond these shores, it might be that for all the bluster and appeal of a Saturday night out in town, sometimes you catch a little gem of a band that makes you smile for no reason or it may just be that they are a very good band to catch live.
The High Violet. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. July 14th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ***
The o2 Academy, Liverpool has been blessed in the last couple of weeks with some very good support bands. Sometimes these bands are overlooked as the entrée before the main filling, the bread you fill up on before the well served steak is presented to an awaiting audience. In High Violet they really should be considered much more than an appetiser, they have the real chance of making some very big waves in the years ahead of them.