Category Archives: Live

All we Are, Gig Review. Williamson Tunnels, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. Sept 24th 2011.

L.S. Media Rating ****

The Williamson Tunnels might not be the first venue in Liverpool that springs to mind when thinking of places to hold a gig, even within the city of Liverpool, it can be a surprise to people who have lived here for years that it holds within its brick walls the ability to host some amazing gigs. It was also no less than perfect for one of Liverpool’s most favourite adopted sons, Richard O’Flynn and his new band All We Are.

All we Are, Gig Review. Williamson Tunnels, Liverpool. full post

(377 words, 1 image, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

Bob Geldof, Gig Review. Southport Theatre.

Bob Geldof in Southport. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 15th 2011.

L.S. Media Rating ****

Bob Geldof doesn’t tour that often, he doesn’t bring out albums all that frequently either; however within the space of nine months, Bob has managed to do both. The vocal and yet warm crowd that attended the excellent show at the Southport Theatre were treated to a performance by Bob that reminded all that the man still has fire in his veins; a spirit that cannot be easily dismissed and a personality that is so likeable and infectious, that even when he is ranting against the world, there is a certain spark of enjoyment in his eye.

Bob Geldof, Gig Review. Southport Theatre. full post

(436 words, 1 image, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

Bowling For Soup, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall

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

Perhaps it’s ironic that Bowling for Soup brought their particular brand of rock to Liverpool on the night that the city was hosting the MOBO awards for the first time. In one corner of the city the corporate and glitzy glamour that is always associated with ceremonies throughout the world and in the other, four lads from Texas, plying their trade the only way they know how, with a room full of eager, sweaty, loyal fans and one hell of a party atmosphere.

Bowling For Soup, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(334 words, 1 image, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)

The Anderson/Wakeman Project, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Rick Wakeman at the Philharmonic Hall. Photgraph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 20th 2010.

Just over a year ago Jon Anderson came on stage at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool to the kind of applause that is reserved for visiting dignitaries and Liverpool’s favourite sons and daughters. To see the man on stage after the year he had the year before was nothing short of a miracle and it didn’t matter what he performed that night, even if he had sat down and read the newspaper the fans would have cheered just as hard and for as long.

The Anderson/Wakeman Project, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. full post

(435 words, 1 image, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

Amsterdam, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool.

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

Amsterdam may have been quiet on the recording front this year and only playing a select number of live dates, a critically acknowledged tour alongside The Wonderstuff and a sell-out evening at the Liverpool Academy amongst them, however when they have performed, the music is the same high quality, full of frustration, anger at the way of the world and beautifully, unarguably sentimental.

Amsterdam, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool. full post

(322 words, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)

John Otway, Gig Review. Bilston Robin 2.

John Otway at the Bilston Robin. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 29th 2010.

John Otway may not be a name that runs off easily of the lips of many modern music lovers, however for a generation of people bought up with the idea of individualism, the man stands out as shining beacon of hope in an ever increasing drab world.

Part rock star/part imaginary chemistry teacher who would have taught that science could be fun if he had made that a career choice; John Otway weaves his way through an evening’s entertainment with panache, style, the best use of a Theremin anywhere and a big dollop of inspired insanity that marks the man out as one in a million.

John Otway, Gig Review. Bilston Robin 2. full post

(358 words, 1 image, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)

Paramore, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. November 11th 2012.

If anything was going to take the chill and damp out the Merseyside air then a night of rock by one of the brightest young American bands to visit Britain in a long time would remove the gloom and despondency that overshadowed the city.

Paramore have come a long way in the last six years, from the fringes and largely ignored by the mainstream to one of the best and intense bands to catch live. Their gigs are considered to be one of the best you can catch live and on the basis of their performance at the Echo Arena it is easy to see why.

Paramore, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool. full post

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

The Strawbs, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. November 16th 2010.

The Strawbs are one of those acts that you should mark out in your diary as “leave free” for. With a career spanning over 40 years and considered one of the finest exponents of the British Folk/Rock tradition, it is no wonder their gigs are attended by some of the most dedicated followers of live music anywhere.

During the summer of 2010 they even had great success as the Acoustic Strawbs during this year’s inaugural High Voltage event in London.

The Strawbs, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool. full post

(330 words, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)

The Move, Gig Review. Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. November 20th 2010.

Probably the best way in these austere times for bands to play a venue is by collaborating with a similar artist or band from the same period of time. Just recently one such headline tour has been announced with American AOR bands Journey, Foreigner and Styx ready to play a series of gigs in Britain next year.

The Move, Gig Review. Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton. full post

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

Steve Lukather, Gig Review. Bilston Robin 2.

Steve Lukather at the Bilston Robin. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.