With touring costs spiraling out of control, co-headlining tours are becoming more and more widespread as bands struggle to keep costs down. It’s almost a daily occurrence now that the dreaded “tour cancelled” notice gets posted on social media, so it’s an achievement in itself when a tour goes ahead, …
Read More »Review: Rockin By The River 4 – Livewire, Saltash
I have reviewed gigs in the “Rockin By The River” series before (although missed the last one due to a positive covid test), but for those new to the event here is a brief intro:When a Bad Touch tour date a few years back in South Cornwall was cancelled by …
Read More »Review: The Pretty Reckless – O2 Academy, Bristol
Another night, another gig in one of the busiest few weeks I have had! Tonight it is the turn of The Pretty Reckless supported by The Cruel Knives at the O2 in Bristol, so a quick two-hour blast up the motorway and I am quickly inside and looking at a …
Read More »Review: H.E.A.T. Mason Hill and Collateral – Patti Pavilion Swansea
The day after Rocktober in Bristol, I found myself passing by that way again on the Motorway, en route to Swansea for my first sight of the restored venue, The Patti Pavilion, and three superb bands on a stellar line-up. Opening the evening were the slick-sounding Collateral. I have seen …
Read More »Review: The Damn Truth – Stereo, Glasgow
The Damn Truth – Canada’s finest export since Dudley Do-Right – made good on their promise to come back real soon after knocking UK audiences for six during their support slot earlier this year with Scottish blues-rockers King King. A whistle-stop 11-date October tour around the regions that included a …
Read More »Review: Planet Rocktober – O2 Academy, Bristol
Yet another casualty of the pandemic was the series of Planet Rocktober gigs, originally featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd. The change of dates meant that the original headliners had to pull out of the rescheduled events, but able replacements were found and I attended a strong line-up mini festival headed by …
Read More »Review: Ginger Wildheart and The Sinners – The Junction, Plymouth
“Intimate” is definitely a word appropriate to The Junction in Plymouth. A tiny rock pub in the student area of Plymouth with good beer, great sound and light, and an ambitious and successful promoter that definitely punches above his weight in attracting big names to the far SW. Tonight, on …
Read More »Review: Billy Idol – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
After the stop-start-stop-again-start-with-restrictions of the last few years, Billy Idol was finally able to recently launch his long-awaited World Tour, and with South America, and Europe crossed off the list, it was, at last, time for a whistle-stop tour of Blighty for the man formerly known as William Michael Albert …
Read More »Review: Cathal Murphy – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
2022 has really been Cathal Murphy’s year. Hailing from Ireland but making Edinburgh his home for the last 2 years, the singer-songwriter has written and recorded the soundtrack to the film ‘Reavey Brothers’ based on the 1976 killing of the Reavey Brothers in Armagh, Ireland. He flew to Montreal to …
Read More »Review: Beyond The Black/Butcher Babies/AD INFINITUM – The Ritz, Manchester
With closing act and co-headliners Amaranthe having to pull out of the first of two UK dates on this almost-mini indoors festival, the three remaining acts were all given extended sets which meant additional time to wow the sold-out crowd snaking its way around the legendary venue, just a stone’s …
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