Category Archives: Live

The Enid, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail.October 2009.

Some might baulk at the idea of a gig with a set list containing just a handful of songs but with The Enid what you lack in quantity you more than make up for in quality.

Starting the show with the wonderfully dynamic Apocalypse…Judement Day was a masterstrokea as it enraptured the audience and set the tonefor the rest of the evening.

Much praise must go to lead guitarist Jason Ducker whose presence at the front of stage was equal to the founding father of the band and superb pianist Robert John Godfrey, as he proved elegantly on the tracks Chaldean Crossing and Riguardon-The Dancing Lizard.

The Enid, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(177 words, 1 image, estimated 42 secs reading time)

Richie Kotzen, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2009.

Richie Kotzen has long been regarded as one of the finest musicians of his generation and one of rock’s most recognisable voices. There certainly is no one quite like him when it comes to a proper long guitar solo.

A well turned-out audience looked on in awe as they watched Richie play a set showcasing songs from his new album Peace Signs.

Like his fellow American Joe Bonamassa a few months previously, Richie gave a master class performance on the guitar that would have lefty lesser talented players green with envy.

Richie Kotzen, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(155 words, estimated 37 secs reading time)

It Bites, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. September 2009.

It Bites arrived on stage with a mission to prove that last year’s critically acclaimed tour with John Mitchell at the helm was not a one-off success.

By starting the evening with the barnstorming Ghosts and All In Red, any fears were put aside as keyboard player John Beck, bassist Lee Pomeroy and drummer Bob Dalton blew the fans away with the edginess of the music.

The night was more about celebrating the 21st anniversary of the album Once Around The World and the guys played every song from the record.

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

(184 words, 1 image, estimated 44 secs reading time)

Jet, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. September 2009.

Hot on the heels of the release of their third album, Aussie foursome Jet treated their fanatical audience to an evening of strong riffs, fine lyrics and the occasional bit of crowd banter.

They opened with Get What You Need from 2003’s debut album Get Born before going headlong into the superb She’s a Genius, the band’s first single from the new C.D. Shaka Rock.

Despite some derogatory comments from a tiny section of the crowd, lead vocalist Nic Cester kept his cool and let the music do the talking with Beat On Repeat, the radio hit Are You Gonna Be My Girl? and the foot stomping Seventeen.

Jet, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(157 words, estimated 38 secs reading time)

The Men They Couldn’t Hang, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. September 2009.

By opening their set with the title track from their new studio album The Devil in the Wind, The Men They Couldn’t Hang made a musical statement to the loyal crowd that not only were they back, but back with a bang.

There was nonetheless the familiar feeling of brotherhood as they played the fantastic Ghosts of Gable Street and Shirt Of Blue from the 1986 album How Green is the Valley.

The Men They Couldn’t Hang, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(196 words, estimated 47 secs reading time)

From The Jam, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. July 2009.

There are some bands that prove that there will always be a call for the music that defined the late 1970’s.

With political unrest in the country and a generation of music fans clamouring for a change, the original mod revival/punk rock band The Jam took the call to arms and created timeless music.

Original members Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler are now touring as From The Jam and they opened their Robin 2 show with To Be Someone (Didn’t We Have A Nice Time) from the 1978 album All Mod Cons.

From The Jam, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(216 words, estimated 52 secs reading time)

Thunder, Gig Review. Civic Hall. Wolverhampton.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. July 2009.

After 20 years together and nine studio albums to their name, Thunder returned to Wolverhampton as part of their farewell tour, having announced some months ago that they were calling time on their career.

They didn’t disappoint, kicking off the night with the energetic Backstreet Symphony, the title track of their debut album. From that moment, the audience let them know they will be missed by giving a huge roar of satisfaction at the end of every song.

Thunder, Gig Review. Civic Hall. Wolverhampton. full post

(190 words, 1 image, estimated 46 secs reading time)

10cc, Gig Review. Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. June 2009.

 

The Wall Street Shuffle was a hit for 10cc in 1974 but the current financial situation made it an apt opener to their Birmingham show.

Even though Graham Gouldman is now the original member in the group, he was ably assisted by Rickk Fenn on guitar, Paul Burgess on drums, Keith Hayman on bass and keyboards and MIck Wilson  on guitars, vocals, keyboards and percussion.

These five men blended together so well on stage that it left a near capacity audience anticipating each song with relish.

10cc, Gig Review. Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. full post

(164 words, estimated 39 secs reading time)

Manic Street Preachers, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. June 2009.

With the new album, Journal for Plague Lovers, barely out its packaging, the Manic Street Preachers stoked up the heat at the Wolverhampton Civic as they showed what the music scene had been missing for the past few years.

By playing the new offering its entirety, the capacity crowd was given the chance to savour some of the last work of Richey Edwards, whose lyrics have been set to music by the band.

These included opening track Peeled Apples Me and Stephen Hawking and the lament William’s Last Words.

Manic Street Preachers, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(207 words, estimated 50 secs reading time)

Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. May 2009.

Opening the evening with Suave and Suffocated from 1992’s Are You Normal and the excellent All I Ask Of Myself Is That I Hold Together from 1995’s Brainbloodvolume, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin came, saw and conquered an absolutely packed audience with a set that never once let up on pace.

With much reminiscing, the band blitzed through classics like Until You Find Out from their debut album God Fodder, Walking Through Syrup and the amazing Two and Two Make Five.

Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(170 words, estimated 41 secs reading time)