Danish-Swedish quartet VOLA throws up a lot of conundrums; the eclectic nature of their material for one, and the excellent contrast between light and darkness that causes those who like things to be straightforward to scratch their heads, is another. But the biggest one would have to be that although …
Read More »Review: Skindred – Palace Theatre, Bridgwater
Palace Theatre, Bridgwater,Saturday 9th November 2024Review and photos – Rob WilkinsThe last few weeks have been full on with gigs and just the night before we had been at the rather genteel Phoenix theatre in Exeter for the silliness and escapism of Punk Rock Factory, but tonight we battled through …
Read More »Review: Delain – The Garage, Glasgow
So much has happened in the 8 long years since Delain last performed in Scotland. The UK and the US went head-to-head in the hold-my-beer stakes of electing morons into public office; standing in squares spaced 2 meters apart in car parks for the privilege to buy toilet roll and …
Read More »Review: Punk Rock Factory – Exeter Phoenix
Exeter Phoenix Review and photos – Rob Wilkins/CeltographyAfter travelling to the West Midlands and back for a gig the previous weekend it was wonderful to have a weekend of gigs closer to home, starting with a very short trip to Exeter for the sheer joy that is an evening with …
Read More »Review: Sepultura – Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow
After 40 years, 15 studio albums, and over 1,700 shows Sepultura are calling it a day. With one last tour ‘Celebrating Life Through Death’ the Brazilians played to a sold-out Barrowlands on Monday night. With early doors, at 5, support came from relative newcomers Jesus Piece, fellow veterans Obituary, and …
Read More »Review: Marcus King – Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow
A gig by South Carolinian guitarist/singer-songwriter Marcus King throws up several contrasts. His music (especially material from his latest album ‘Mood Swings’) is mostly autobiographical but at the same time, it is entirely relatable. Raw and confessional at times – the stark and haunting acoustic performance of ‘Bipolar Love’ immediately …
Read More »Review: Royal Republic/Dea Matrona – KK’s Steelmill, Wolverhampton
Every time a band announces a tour the internet socials are awash with “Why not my town?”, “Nothing near me” and “That’s hardly a UK tour if you don’t play…”. Bands can’t play everywhere, the maths simply don’t add up, so when one of my favourite bands announced a tour …
Read More »Review: Deep Purple – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Not many people would have had Deep Purple producing one of the best Rock albums of the year on their 2024 bingo card. But, with ‘=1’ that’s exactly what the British veterans have done. To be fair though, given the hot streak that the band has been on since releasing …
Read More »Review: Cradle Of Filth – SWG3, Glasgow
With their 14th studio album (featuring Ed Sheeran?!) due out in March next year, Cradle of Filth are showing no signs of slowing down. After thirty years in the game, they have perfected their show. With elaborate set pieces, lighting, and of course, frontman Dani Filth’s signature face paint, these …
Read More »Review: Kamelot/Ad Infinitum/Blackbriar/Frozen Crown – O2 Ritz, Manchester
Somewhere out there a composer works late into the night on a Broadway/West End musical where the leads are Kamelot’s Tommy Karevik and Ad Infinitum’s Melissa Bonny (also Kamelot’s touring guest vocalist). Or, musical theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber is chugging Absinthe straight from the bottle and watching YouTube footage …
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