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China Crisis, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. February 2009.

China Crisis stood out in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s for their intelligent songs and almost whimsical lyrics which kept them in the hearts of their dedicated fans.

The duo, Eddie Lunden and Gary Daly, are two of the nicest people in pop, very laid back and happy to play to an appreciative audience.

They opened a very good set with The Soul Awakening and the ironic Best Kept Secret when Gary Daly teased the crowd by politely ordering a glass of Chardonnay to sip during the show.

China Crisis, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(169 words, estimated 41 secs reading time)

Heaven 17, A.B.C., Human League, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2008.

When three of the great pop acts of the 80’s decide to share the same bill and perform some of the decade’s more memorable hits, you can be assured of a great night out and some very pleasant memories.

Heaven 17 was given the almighty task of opening the evening coming on stage with all guns blazing with (We Don’t Need This (Facist Groove Thang, from their debut album Penthouse and Pavement. Truly some great songs followed, including Geisha Boys and Temple Girls, Let Me Go and their big hit Temptation.

Heaven 17, A.B.C., Human League, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(203 words, estimated 49 secs reading time)

Thunder, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2008.

AC/DC’s Thunderstruck heralded the arrival of Thunder on stage and from that moment the audience was firmly held in an iron grip.

A loud pyrotechnic burst signalled “The Bang” but then Thunder went back to their first album and the Backstreet Symphony.  This was followed by two songs from the recently released album Bang, the tongue in cheek On The Radio and Carol Ann and finished with the perennial crowd pleaser Dirty Love which left the audience breathless.

Ian D. Hall

Permanent link to this post (90 words, estimated 22 secs reading time)

The Feeling, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2008.

The Feeling opened with I Thought It Was Over and Fill My Little World, followed by Never Be Lonely, from the album Twelve Stops and Home for which frontman Fan Gillespie Sells split the crowd in half to help with the vocals.

There is always an element of dread when a band resorts to audience participation so early but with The Feeling it not only worked but set the standard for future gigs.

The Feeling, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(162 words, estimated 39 secs reading time)

Marillion, Gig Review. J.B’s, Dudley.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2008.

Despite playing a smaller venue than usual and not having their full lighting and screen show, Marillion thrilled a capacity crowd with their word imagery, subtle atmospheric mood changes and emotive music.

Opening quietly with Dreamy Street and the cathartic This Train Is My Life, the band gave a lesson in music appreciation to possibly rock’s most loyal fans.

They are promoting their new double album Happiness Is The Road but still delved into the wealth of older material, including Quartz and the excellent Afraid Of Sunlight, which showcased Steve Rothery’s sterling guitar work.

Marillion, Gig Review. J.B’s, Dudley. full post

(165 words, estimated 40 secs reading time)

The Stranglers, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

 

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2008.

Twenty two fantastic songs played at breakneck speed in a head-turning 90 minutes.  If there is any other band which can do this and do it superbly well then I have yet to see them.

The Stranglers are one of the great survivors of the British music scene and even with drummer Jet Black recovering from a heart attack, which has limited his appearances this year, the band still give some of the best live performances to ever appreciative audiences.

The Stranglers, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham. full post

(166 words, estimated 40 secs reading time)

It Bites, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

John Mitchell at the Robin 2 in Bilston. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2008.

With a brand new studio album, the first in 19 years, due out later this month, It Bites answered the critics over whether they are still a relevant force in rock music with a resounding yes.

By playing virtually all their new album, The Tall Ships, you could almost see the reinvention taking place before your eyes as John Mitchell’s superb guitar work fitted in perfectly with keyboard player John Beck, drummer Bob Dalton and session bassist Lee Pomeroy.

It Bites, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(178 words, 1 image, estimated 43 secs reading time)

Level 42, Gig Review. Symphony Hall, Birmingham.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2008.

Opening a stunning set with Fashion Fever and Forever Now, Level 42 treated a near sold out Symphony Hall to an array of outstanding music and a spectacular light show that showed off perfectly the songs’ emotions.

With a catalogue of music going back to 1981, there was something for everybody in the set list which included the wonderful but unfortunately rarely heard Romance and the classic number Leaving Me Now.

The biggest cheer of the night however was reserved for the hit single Something About You from the 1985 album World Machine.

Level 42, Gig Review. Symphony Hall, Birmingham. full post

(137 words, estimated 33 secs reading time)

Magnum, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

There could have been no better act to be a part of the Robin’s tenth year anniversary celebrations than local rock icons, Magnum.  Coming off the back of a long tour might have daunted some bands but Bob Catley, Tony Clarkin, Mark Stanway, Al Barrow and drummer Harry James took to the stage with consummate ease.

Opening with Back to Earth and the storming When We Were Younger from the last studio album Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow, Magnum had all guns blazing and delivered a set list that was strong on performance and high on audience participation.

Magnum, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(175 words, estimated 42 secs reading time)

Allanah Myles, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. September 2008.

The acclaimed Robin 2 venue began its week of 10th anniversary shows with an impressive performance by Alannah Myles.

Opening with Comment Ca Va? From the new album Black Velvet and old favourite Love Is, it was plain to see she was suffering from flu and the after-effects of a major whiplash injury in a car accident. However, she battled through the pain to give a first rate performance to an appreciative audience.

Allanah Myles, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(121 words, estimated 29 secs reading time)