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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whilst only being two albums into their career, Breathing Space are being seen by some as natural successors to the Kings of Prog title that gets bandied about so often.
Much credit for this must go to the sublime vocals of Olivia Spearman, whose range and strength belies the years of only being credited as a backing singer and the single mindedness and creativity of ex-Mostly Autumn keyboard player Iain Jennings.
Opening the night with the title song of their last album Coming Up For Air and The Senses, Breathing Space treated the audience to a night of fine musicianship and superb vocals, which was very much in evidence in the songs Time Tells All The Unknown and the beautiful Rain Song.
Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. August 2008.
For someone who has worked with some of the great guitarists of the last 30 years, Andy Fairweather Low is not too proud to go back to his roots and play music for the sheer joy.
With his love of blues and a wonderful back catalogue to choose from, the former Amen Corner frontman managed to keep a dedicated audience hanging on his every word throughout this two-set gig.
After opening with Champagne Melody and the upbeat Zazzy, Andy charmed the crowd with songs from his Best Of album and a few surprises, including a terrific version of The Beatles’ Rocky Raccoon.
Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. August 2008.
During the last few years, there has been an abundance of 70’s and 80’s bands making comebacks but one act resisting the clamour to reform was the Boomtown Rats – until now.
With no chance of Bob Geldolf rejoining, it has been left to original members Simon Crowe back to doing what he does best on drums and Garry Roberts on guitar, they were joined by Peter Barton on vocals and the impressive Darren Beale on guitar.