Tag Archives: 2016

The Human League, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2016).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

You only have to go by the sound of the crowd to understand what music means to the people. In the end it is not about mass popularity, the endless soul destroying fight with fame and supposed fortune, it is how your art makes others feel deep in their souls and if you can have a sold out Philharmonic Hall audience singing their hearts out, making the foundations and the walls shake slightly in anticipation and the low moan of pleasure in the ears as hearts spill open over 35 years worth of love and affection for arguably one of the architects of British Synth Pop, The Human League, then the crowd cannot be wrong.

The Human League, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2016). full post

(474 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

The Good Host, Gig Review. Studio 2, Liverpool. (2016).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The sound of Vienna, the last days of grand empire in a city that would remain forever associated with fine music and beautiful venues in which to play them, could not sound more opulent or desirable than being able to relish in the alternative Folk Rock guitar sound driven by The Good Host. The whirl of Vienna, the mood of the Danube slowly winding itself down through Europe and the psychological musings of Freud as the ghosts of the Habsburgs looked on; none of that splendour matches being in the company of the band that makes music just something you yearn for the company of a fine port and a roaring Christmas fire for.

The Good Host, Gig Review. Studio 2, Liverpool. (2016). full post

(431 words, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

Good Kids: On Tap, Theatre Review. Underbelly Med Quad, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016.

Liverpool Sound & Vision Rating: * * * *

Cast: Tom Dowling, Kieran Ahern.

With over 3,000 shows to choose from at the Edinburgh Festival, it is easy to feel daunted by such variety. Not only does the festival include comedy and theatre it also showcases some of the most varied performers from around the world, from circus acts to physical theatre to opera and the spoken word. Comedy sketch shows are also in abundance and there is one duo who are back for a second year to try their luck at the one of the largest art festivals in the world.

Good Kids: On Tap, Theatre Review. Underbelly Med Quad, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016. full post

(301 words, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)

Living A Little, Theatre Review. New Town Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Paul Thirkell, Finlay Bain, Lauren Jane Sheerman.

When the end of the world comes, you really do have to is start Living a Little, for who knows just what awaits you as the moments tick down, as the warning signs of imminent death come crashing too close to home and the final desperate leap of hope disappears off into the sunset. To do is surely the only sane thing to do in a world that has lost all reason.

Living A Little, Theatre Review. New Town Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016. full post

(411 words, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

Tent, Theatre Review. Spotlites, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

Cast: Yuuya Ishizone.

The secrets that come out in the dark, when you are lost in the remoteness of the both the wilderness and the mind, those are the most comfortably haunting secrets to be revealed, they are the ones that others cannot walk away from so easily or be refreshed by the day time sun; the finest and most damning secrets are always best revealed when lost.

Tent, Theatre Review. Spotlites, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016. full post

(388 words, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

Michelle Christine, Theatre Review. Spotlites, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Canada always seems to hold an affinity with most people round the world, possibly because of its laid back approach to life, the sincerity and friendliness of its people and the fact that it is so vast, arguably so much more natural, less spoilt by human progress; it is a terrain built on the rugged and intrepid, the explorer and the indomitable, it is a country that produces absolute stirring stories.

Michelle Christine, Theatre Review. Spotlites, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016. full post

(482 words, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)

Swansong, Theatre Review. The Pleasance Above, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Ed Macarthur, Tom Black, Nina Shenkman, Charlotte Merriam.

Civilisation is dead, it has been washed away in a huge flood and humanity is on the verge of extinction; it is not all bad though, there are still four human beings left alive in a pedalo, four human beings from very different social backgrounds, four separate personalities and outlooks. Let’s face it the future, unless they can come to some sort of compromise as they float on the high seas, unless they can agree on the prospect of their lives, then humanity is as washed up as seaweed on an icy shoreline.

Swansong, Theatre Review. The Pleasance Above, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016. full post

(422 words, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)

Partial Nudity, Theatre Review. Zoo, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Joe Layton, Kate Franz.

If you had the bitter choice of appearing to lose face or losing the respect of someone you love, which road would you take, which option would you endure as you sweat behind the curtain, as you drown in the first beads of self pity and anxious reproach?

Partial Nudity, Theatre Review. Zoo, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016. full post

(429 words, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

Ash, Theatre Review. Zoo, Edinburgh Festival, 2016.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Hamish Adams-Cairns, Lisa Marie Berg, Roxanne Browne, Alice Devlin, Harry Kearton, Paul Tonkin.

You were never alone with a Strand cigarette, smoking Marlborough suggested that you were ready for adventure, Camel that there was a touch of the old colonial lurking in you and as for Players or Capstone full strength, that touch of a small cough that came along with the birds singing the dawn chorus was arguably only ever really to be expected. Smoking is bad for you of that there can be no doubt but millions round the world still enjoy the taste of the habit and the sight of the grey Ash that collects in any make do ashtray.

Ash, Theatre Review. Zoo, Edinburgh Festival, 2016. full post

(456 words, estimated 1:49 mins reading time)

Day One Of Four For Glory’s First Shot At Augusta National Golf Club.

With Glory’ first shot under way, the sunshine that beats down onto the Augusta greens looks on enviously as every piece of grass looks as though it has been cut individually with a pair of scissors. On the opening day of the Masters 2016, it might come down to planning, fortitude and will that will prevail for glory’s first shot.

Day One Of Four For Glory’s First Shot At Augusta National Golf Club. full post

(497 words, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)