Category Archives: Live

John O’Connell, Gig Review. Gladstone Theatre Port Sunlight

John O Connoll in Port Sunlight. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. November 28th 2010.

John O’ Connell is a rare talent, even on the coldest of nights to hit the Merseyside area in years, he managed to pack out the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight and perform to a crowd that was craving intelligent and thought provoking music.

In a career that has spanned the best part of the last thirty years John is steeped in the musical history of the city of Liverpool, notably through the legendary band Groundpig and for his weekly tenure in O’Neil’s where he can be seen plying his trade to great admiration.

John O’Connell, Gig Review. Gladstone Theatre Port Sunlight full post

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

U.F.O, Gig Review. o2 Academy Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. December 5th 2010.

For the best part of the last 40 years U.F.O. have been one of definitive names of the British Rock and Heavy Metal. They are consistent in their approach to studio albums and the energy they thrive upon is all laid out before them whenever they do a tour or show.

The band opened up a night of pulsating, ear drum splitting music with Saving Me from 2009’s The Visitation. This was the bands 20th studio album and on the evidence of the night’s performance, they show no sign of slowing down and calling it a day.

U.F.O, Gig Review. o2 Academy Liverpool. full post

(345 words, 1 image, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

The Human League, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. December 7th 2010.

To many, one of the stand out bands of the early 1980’s was The Human League. Genre defining and one of the early exponents of the slick style of video that the decade produced in abundance. Their music was considered much loved and has been parodied lovingly in certain advertisements since their early heyday.

The Human League, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(361 words, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Big Country, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. January 9th 2011.

Apart from a reunion tour in 2007, the band Big Country has been out of the public eye for the best part of a decade. With their lives being shook by the untimely passing of former band mate Stuart Adamson it is reassuring and a pleasure to see the other three original members and their two very special guests play to packed out venues and getting the reviews that a band of such stature deserves.

Big Country, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(497 words, 1 image, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)

Proxies, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. January 17th 2011.

If 2010 was a good a year for unsigned young bands like Mercury Midnight and Not Advised then 2011 seems to be carrying on in the same vein. One of the bands to come to the public’s attention recently is the Proxies. The band is an eclectic mix of decent, hard hitting rock and electronica fused with an incredible and justified belief in themselves and their music.

Proxies, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(276 words, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)

The British Pink Floyd Show. Gig Review. Liverpool Echo Arena.

Orignally published by L.S. Media. January 23rd 2011.

It seems that no matter what, there will always be a call for some sort of tribute band dedicated to the stalwarts of the British Progressive Rock movement that was simply known as Pink Floyd. Whereas for the last few years Liverpool and the rest of the country has had the multi talented Australian Pink Floyd to thank for keeping the memory of the band alive and in really good health, we now have quite possibly the only tribute that could top them for sheer energy and musical knowledge, The British Pink Floyd Show.

The British Pink Floyd Show. Gig Review. Liverpool Echo Arena. full post

(434 words, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

Twin Atlantic, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

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

Twin Atlantic have come a long way in a really short space of time, having only formed in 2007, the band seem to have had the good fortune to be in the right place at the right time. The band have already supported the likes of Blink 182 and Biffy Clyro in the last couple of years and have quite rightly become very big on the festival map.

The band came to the Liverpool with a lot of expectation on behalf of a very vocal and hyped up crowd and the lads didn’t disappoint one bit.

Twin Atlantic, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(335 words, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)

The Waterboys, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 2nd 2011.

For some, the divisions between poetry and music are so entrenched that they, no matter what, should never be crossed. However for Mike Scott and The Waterboys and a full house of appreciative fans of W.B Yeats, the genre was not only blurred but redrawn and redefined. Billed as an Appointment with Mr. Yeats, the band pushed the realms of performance art with their reading of the Irish poet’s familiar poems set alongside some of the most stunning music to grace the Philharmonic Hall.

The Waterboys, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. full post

(347 words, 1 image, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

Taking Dawn, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 8th 2011.

It’s not every band that gets to open for the legendary rock band Kiss, to do so you must have something really special in your armoury. Nevada based band Taking Dawn are one such band that have passed the acid test of touring with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and matched them in desire, ability and in some respects even showmanship.

Even with the last album having been in every decent metal fan’s collection for the last year, the crowd that greeted the band as they come on stage was as loud and full of expression for the new metal heroes.

Taking Dawn, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool. full post

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

Feeder, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

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

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 8th 2011.

Feeder have gone from Indie Rock heroes and not getting the credit they deserve to one of the best live acts that currently ply their trade in front of fans, new and old. With their style of whimsical musings disguised in heavy, brutal, pounding riffs, it is no wonder they have become household favourites.

Feeder, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

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