Tag Archives: Liverpool. (2015)

Caro Emerald, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2015).

Caro Emerald at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, November 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

The scene was set, the lights taken down to the feeling of sensual overload and moody cool and the band, that all important addition to any night of Jazz played immediately with a stirring passion that broke down any misplaced resistance of those that had poured themselves into the comfort of the Philharmonic Hall after the on-going downpour of the day and yet there was no sign of the shocking Ms. Emerald. The sound was there but no glorious sight, until the spotlight was seen and in one of the boxes stood the resplendent figure of Ms. Emerald taking the art of performance out into the crowd, standing emotionally enthralled and naked in amongst the people who had come to see her and the opening song of The Other Woman took on a whole different approach.

Caro Emerald, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2015). full post

(463 words, 1 image, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

Steve Hackett, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2015).

Steve Hackett at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. October 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9.5/10

The sound of the call to Prayers, the resonance afforded by the subtle backdrop of the mysticism of a far off land and strangely enticing colourful culture fills the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool to the point where is such things were possible, you would swear that the smells and sounds of the welcoming East were about to land in the middle of the stage where graduates have smiled and guitars have been played and would dominate the night.

Steve Hackett, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2015). full post

(634 words, 1 image, estimated 2:32 mins reading time)

The Christians, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2015).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The last night of the tour is always a reason to celebrate. For the fans it can be a vindication that their band, in some cases their whole reason for being, has proved yet again just how important their music is and that the country shares their love for certain songs. For the band, for the artists, it’s a chance to breathe for a while before the circus starts again, to perhaps sample a semblance of normal life once more with family and friends, and a glass of champagne supplied by the support never goes a miss.

The Christians, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2015). full post

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

Dean Friedman, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. (2015)

Dean Friedman at the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. October 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The city that doesn’t know how to stop singing is always enhanced by a visitor of repute from beyond its natural domain. Many of the greats from across the seas, from beyond the realms in which the Atlantic Ocean divides and sometimes conquers as it crashes into the cliffs and harbours and steals moment after moment of time and crumbling portions of land, have made their way to Liverpool to remind the city that America and the musical empire of Britain are forever linked and entwined.

Dean Friedman, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. (2015) full post

(503 words, 1 image, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)

Bouncers, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool. (2015).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Paul Broughton, Danny O’ Brien, Andrew Schofield, Michael Starke.

The night is young, the perfume is sprayed with liberal application, the smell of the aftershave overpowers the testosterone emanating from the raw majesty that is the Friday night club and disco and the D.J., who might not save your life on the night but who will certainly play a few good numbers to get the girls up and dancing, is full of ready innuendo. If your names are not down though and you’re not ready to party with the best doormen around then the Bouncers, on behalf of the management, reserve the right to make you laugh long into the night.

Bouncers, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool. (2015). full post

(465 words, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)

SheBeat, Gig Review. Above The Beaten Track, The Bluecoat, Liverpool. (2015).

SheBeat at the Bluecoat, Liverpool. September 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The softly spoken but dynamite lyricist SheBeat once more was made to feel more than welcome as part of the Above The Beaten Track Festival at the Bluecoat and it is with little wonder as the sound of carefully laid out creativity echoed through the Sandon Room at the Bluecoat and the smile on the faces inside as they enjoyed the songs was something to behold.

SheBeat, Gig Review. Above The Beaten Track, The Bluecoat, Liverpool. (2015). full post

(351 words, 1 image, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

Joe Symes And The Loving Kind, Gig Review. Zanzibar, Liverpool (2015).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

If the rust ever starts to show in music from Liverpool, if there is ever a doubt to the sheer strength in depth available to the lovers of the well smashed drum skin and tumultuous cymbal, of the well heeled bass guitar being unheard in the darkening skies, that the possible mix of vocals, mournfully erotic violin and the hearty sax ever disappearing from view in the city that gave modern music to the rest of the U.K. Then the end is quite possibly near and the fifth horseman would be seen galloping down the Anfield Road with a backing tape in his back pocket and a karaoke machine strapped to his leather saddle.

Joe Symes And The Loving Kind, Gig Review. Zanzibar, Liverpool (2015). full post

(513 words, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)

Dexters, Gig Review. Liverpool Calling, St. Luke’s Church, Liverpool. 2015.

Dexters at Liverpool Calling 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

If the day needed just that little more encouragement to get in tune with the occasion and the season’s demands, then the appearance of the highly rated Dexters at this year’s Liverpool Calling was enough to make the sun finally smash away at the clouds that had threatened at times to spoil the sanguine nature of the day. This allowed it to pop its loving caress over the iconic turrets of St. Luke’s and give the audience the resolution to keep enjoying the flavour and texture of sound that Dexters supply.

Dexters, Gig Review. Liverpool Calling, St. Luke’s Church, Liverpool. 2015. full post

(387 words, 1 image, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

Silent Sleep, Gig Review. Liverpool Calling, St. Luke’s Church, Liverpool. 2015.

Silent Sleep at Liverpool Calling 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

There are some bands that just seem to have a natural affinity with both the venue they are playing in and the day in which is being represented. For Silent Sleep the venue never seems to make a difference, for the sound of the remarkable and the giving always jostle for the attention and capturing of elegance no matter where they perform, whether at Leaf on Bold Street, the austere and imposing nature of the ancient court of Liverpool or indeed the iconic St Luke’s Church, steeped in history and arguably one of the most important buildings in the city; the sound is one in which the ceaseless chattering in the head takes a back seat and the gentle approach of collective beauty reigns supreme.

Silent Sleep, Gig Review. Liverpool Calling, St. Luke’s Church, Liverpool. 2015. full post

(464 words, 1 image, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

The Jackobins, Gig Review. Liverpool Calling, St. Luke’s Church, Liverpool. 2015.

The Jackobins, Liverpool Calling 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

The sound of thunder, the presence of future greatness and the unswerving, undeniable attraction of truth, theatre and showmanship; not the harking back to the early days of British Rock in which the likes of Queen, Genesis or countless others played their days out to adoring fans inside tightly packed, smoke filled rooms but to the inside of St. Luke’s Church and the arrival of The Jackobins to the stage.

The Jackobins, Gig Review. Liverpool Calling, St. Luke’s Church, Liverpool. 2015. full post

(509 words, 1 image, estimated 2:02 mins reading time)