Category Archives: Live

Porcupine Tree, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. April 2007

With their latest album barely two weeks old, Porcupine Tree arrived fresh, eager and ready to showcase their new material.

Opening the set to mass applause with their brand new album title track Fear Of A Blank Planet; a dark look at modern-day British youth, they carefully mixed current material, including the stunning My Ashes and the epic Anethetize , with old favourites like Gravity Eyelids and Lightbulb Sun.

Frontman Steve Wilson’s delivery was perfect for the intricate soundscapes deftly created for this show, with touring guitarist and backing singer John Wesley providing superb musical and vocal support.

Porcupine Tree, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(173 words, estimated 42 secs reading time)

Damien Rice, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. April 2007.

For a while there seemed to be a dearth of young talented singer/songwriters who would struggle to stay the course but thankfully one man defying the trend is Damien Rice.

Welcomed by an enthusiastic capacity crowd, he immediately got fans in the right mood with the stunning Me, My Yoke and I from his latest critically acclaimed album, 9.

He then launched into a set full of moody, though provoking and atmospheric songs such as Woman Like A Man, Accidental Babies and the Incredible Volcano.

Damien Rice, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(134 words, estimated 32 secs reading time)

Thunder, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2006.

Over the last 16 years, Thunder seem to have become a by word for bands that just missed on the world stage while less deserving acts got more than their share of success.

Now With the band riding high again on the back of their current album, Robert Johnson’s Tombstone, it seems that the good times, as well as the excellent catchy lyrics, are back.

Opening with Back Street Symphony, frontman Danny Bowes skilfully took the near-capacity crowd’s thoughts back 16 years and then just as abruptly straight into the modern day with the crowd-pleaser Dirty Dream.

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

(201 words, estimated 48 secs reading time)

David Essex, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2006.

Modern acts could learn a valuable lesson in endurance from the evergreen David Essex, who spurned his advancing years to give a stunning performance.

An appreciative audience cheered and clapped throughout the two-hour show that opened with Beautiful Day from the album of the same name.

After the song Dust To Dust he thrilled the crowd by going back to his roots with Silver Dream Machine, set against a montage of scenes from the film, and perennial favourite Rock On.

David Essex, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(124 words, estimated 30 secs reading time)

The Stranglers, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. September 2006

Following the release of their stunning new album Suite XVI just a few weeks ago, the Stranglers, now back to a four piece, thrilled a dedicated an eager crowd at the Birmingham Academy.

Opening the set with the riff-crunching5 Minutes, J.J Burnell, Baz Warne, Dave Greenfield and Jet Black rocked and rampaged their way through an evening of old favourites and new material.

Classics such as Peaches, Always the Sun and the ever popular Golden Brown were given their deserved airing alongside Spectre of Love, Unbroken and I Hate You.

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

(147 words, estimated 35 secs reading time)

Fish, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. May 2006.

It is a great tribute to former Marillion frontman Fish that after over 25 years in the music business he still commands an audience attention with wit, venom and style.

Opening with his first solo hit, Big Wedge, he then jumped 14 years to Moving Targets and Innocent Party from his last studio album Fields of Crows, before finishing the first part of the set with the haunting Raingods With Zippos/Make It Happen and the ever popular Credo.

After a brief break, the second part of the show was devoted to the best-selling 1985 Marillion album Misplaced Childhood.

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

(126 words, estimated 30 secs reading time)

Marillion, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2005.

For the past 18 months Marillion have been on the road touring with their critically acclaimed album Marbles.

With another set of dates announced, cunningly called The Not Quite Christmas tour, they were in the Midlands to entertain a capacity crowd once again.

With a set combining songs from Marbles and an eclectic mix of tracks from the past 15 years, the audience were treated to a thrilling performance by frontman Steve Hogarth whose energetic efforts on stage would have made younger acts green with envy.

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

(157 words, estimated 38 secs reading time)

Magnum, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. September 2004.

It is apt that the resurgence in the popularity of classic guitar rock, Magnum are still around performing and touring with a brand new album, which some have said goes back to their pomp rock roots.

A strong loyal home following was treated to a one hour, 40 minute set which opened with the classic All England’s Eyes. Tracks from the new album initially got a lukewarm welcome, but by the end of Brand New Morning everyone had their arms in the air and there was generous applause.

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

(187 words, estimated 45 secs reading time)

The Alarm, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. July 2004.

Some years ago The Alarm were a band you either loved or loathed. The public mostly loved them, whereas certain areas of the establishment didn’t. Now, 20 years after their first album and almost completely new line up, The Alarm are back with music and lyrics that are just as potent as their early songs.

The new material matches up perfectly on stage with old favourites like Knife Edge and Marching On. The set opened with Coming Home from the new album In the Poppy Fields and onto Absolute Reality before heading back to the new record for Right Back Where I started From and the stunning Unexplained.

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

(221 words, estimated 53 secs reading time)

Marillion, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. June 2004.

Marillion are one of the most under-rated bands of the past 20 years and they had the crowd at the almost sold out Civic Hall still with anticipation and longing.

During the first hour of the set, which revolved around the current album Marbles, they played the moody and atmospheric Invisible Man, their recent  top ten single You’re Gone and the next release Don’t Hurt Yourself.

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

(143 words, estimated 34 secs reading time)