Category Archives: Live

The Moody Blues, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 17th 2010.

Back in the late sixties the musicians that made up the Moody Blues could never have dreamed that their combined efforts would produce some of the most loved songs of the latter half of the twentieth century.

It has been a while since they last played Liverpool and despite the early autumn chill that was in the air, it seemed as though there were still plenty of fans throughout the area who would come and see them play. With no room inside to park a mellotron, the scene was set within the Philharmonic Hall for a night of music that would never have been thought about when the band produced one of the defining moments of musical history, the inspired Days of Future Passed.

The Moody Blues, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. full post

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

Paul Heaton, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 21st 2010.

Paul Heaton is one of those rare enigma’s in the music industry, much loved by all those who have followed his career from the days of the Housemartins and through to the heady days of chart success with The Beautiful South and now someone who, even though primarily a very private man, wears his heart and beliefs on his sleeve when making his own brand of music.

By kicking off his tour to promote his new album Acid Country in Liverpool, Paul almost guaranteed that the first night would be one of the finest and well supported nights.

Paul Heaton, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

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

Hayseed Dixie, Gig Review. The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 24th 2010.

There are two bands on the circuit right now that have changed the idea of playing rock/metal and punk tunes, turning them upside down and inverting them to the point that the meaning of the songs has changed. The first is The Bad Shepherds with their folk versions of classic punk tunes; the second is America’s Blue Grass sensations Hayseed Dixie.

Mixing their distinctive style with tracks that have been loved by the Metal/Rock community for the best part of 35 years has led the guys to become much loved by their legions of fans and a guaranteed enjoyable night out.

Hayseed Dixie, Gig Review. The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton. full post

(388 words, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

Richard O Flynn, Gig Review. Static Bar, Liverpool.

Richard O’ Flynn at the Static. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 1st 2010.

Seeing Richard O’ Flynn perform his debut album live at the Static Bar in Liverpool should go down as one of those I was there moments for the eager crowd that braved the onset of autumn and its blustery, dirty weather.

Richard O Flynn, Gig Review. Static Bar, Liverpool. full post

(394 words, 1 image, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

Level 42, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Gig Review.

Level 42 in concert. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 8th 2010.

For thirty years now Level 42 have been thrilling their fans and delivering a style of music rarely heard in this country and even rarer played with the charm and sophistication that any self respecting music fan would kill to hear.

Back in the 1980’s Level 42 were amongst the top rated bands in the country, with their easy style and pleasing lyrics, they were hailed as media darlings. Mark King certainly broke the mould with his particular way of playing the bass and with Mike Lindup on keyboards and adding his own personal voice on a lot of the group’s tracks; they seemed set to be one of the country’s big musical exports.

Level 42, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Gig Review. full post

(363 words, 1 image, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Manic Street Preachers, Gig Review. King George’s Hall, Blackburn.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 10th 2010.

The Manic Street Preachers are a band that everybody should experience live at least once in their lifetime, understated, dramatic, proud and as real as you can get. There can no doubt that James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore are to be considered as three of the best live musicians of the last decade.

Manic Street Preachers, Gig Review. King George’s Hall, Blackburn. full post

(381 words, 1 image, estimated 1:31 mins reading time)

Sheerwater, Gig Review. Static Gallery. Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 23rd 2011.

There is a new music name for people to get their teeth into; they are from Merseyside, they play like a dream, they have the authority to hold an audience’s attention and they’re rather good.

Sheerwater are a four piece outfit that shine and ooze personality and as they played through a set as part of the Band in a Box promotions night at the Static Gallery, the interested looks from those in attendance said it all. If they keep playing in this form and with the vibe they give, it won’t be long before they step up another level and get added to the names of other great 21st century bands that hail from the new home of culture.

Sheerwater, Gig Review. Static Gallery. Liverpool. full post

(356 words, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

Logical Tramp Pacific Road Arts Centre. Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 16th 2011.

The music of Supertramp can easily send shivers down the spine of their fans, from classics such as Goodbye Stranger to the dramatic and sensual Lord is it Mine? The band have long been touted as one of the finest examples of British music from the last 50 years.

It is strange and surprising that even though the band rarely tour and Roger Hodgson has never been so popular with his touring that there are so few musicians who seem willing to take on the music and forever remind audiences how good the band’s sound is live.

Logical Tramp Pacific Road Arts Centre. Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead. full post

(397 words, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

Gary Numan, Gig Review. O2 Academy Liverpool.

Gary Numan at the o2 Academy, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by the L.S. Media. September 21st 2011.

L.S. Media Rating *****

Gary Numan has some of the most faithful followers in the music industry. From his beginning at the end of the 1970’s as the new pop hero with his new and experimental sounds and film noir look through to the present day where he is seen by some as the Godfather of Industrial Metal, they have stuck by him, added more along the way and through it all, Gary has been given everything back in stunning performances and music that can make grown men act like children in his presence.

Gary Numan, Gig Review. O2 Academy Liverpool. full post

(473 words, 1 image, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

Echo And The Bunnymen, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 1st 2011.

Arguably one of the great and iconic Liverpool bands from the 1980’s would surely have to be Echo and the Bunnymen. Although they may have divided opinion on their style and delivery there can be no doubting that to their fans, they were unrivalled and without equal. A fusion of the anger that built up in the city after many years of negativity and powerful imaginative story-telling, wrapped neatly in a bubble of soaring synths and early gothic guitars.

Echo And The Bunnymen, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. full post

(415 words, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)