Originally published by L.S. Media. May 3rd 2011.
Brian May’s name is already assured in the annals of rock music just by being part of the British band Queen and yet time doesn’t seem to diminish his joy at being on stage playing the songs that made him an iconic figure and by making the first night on tour with Kerry Ellis at the prodigious Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool, it set the standard very high for the remainder of the tour.
Mike and the Mechanics. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. May 22nd 2011.
Mike and the Mechanics have been away a long time. At one time the band was the epitome of good music, thoughtful, creatively intelligent lyrics that would make the heart ache and the soul sing. Now seven years after the last album Rewired, they can officially be thought of being back to their best and amongst the highlights of the AOR scene to come to Liverpool this year.
Originally published by L.S. Media. May 25th 2011.
For the second time in the space of six months Mike Peters strode onto the Liverpool Academy stage and wowed a crowd that for all intent purposes takes him to their heart as if he was from L1 and not from Prestatyn.
Back in January it was as lead vocalist for the reformed Big Country of which Mike was an avid fan and who was especially proud to front on the night as an invited guest for the much missed Stuart Adamson. On his return a few months later it was with his own band and one of the finest to come out of North Wales, The Alarm.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. May 25th 2011.
Possibly Canada’s greatest export outside of tourist images of Niagara Falls, the seminal and influential progressive rock band Rush, arrived on British soil after a four year wait. Thrilling fans in Sheffield, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and all points in between, Rush finally arrived at the o2 Arena, London and continued the good work that has seen them rightly praised by critics and fans alike.
Richard Marx at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. May 29th 2011.
Richard Marx is rightly considered one of the best examples of American contemporary Rock, his records are much loved by his legion of fans and his in so much demand that he writes and produces music for a multitude of other acts who clamour to be aligned with him. However he doesn’t tour this side of the Atlantic that often, and it’s a great shame as he treats his audience like old friends and always has time for them. That thankfully was put right as he bounced on stage at the Philharmonic Hall to applause that’s usually reserved for the likes of Jon Anderson.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. May 30th 2011.
For Roger Hodgson to come to Liverpool and play at the Philharmonic Hall is one of those rare moments in time that if you are a lover of good, honest and well crafted songs delivered with style, humour and grace then no matter what you had to be there. Roger last toured Liverpool in the late 1970’s when he was still part of the phenomenal British band, Supertramp.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. June 7th 2011.
Foreigner are quite rightly held up as an example of the best within the world of A.O.R music, with a pedigree of music that stretches back over 30 years. It can be seen as still an alien type of music for British fans to attend, however, whether it’s Stadium Rock or Adult Rock, either way it’s still entertaining and as a concept deserves as much attention as Punk or Prog.
Originally published by L.S. Media. June 7th 2011.
One of the problems with bringing out a new album at the start of a tour is that no matter how good it might be regarded in years to come, the first chance that audience members get to hear it, is when’s raw and unfiltered. The live bugs have not been eased out of the set and the band can seem cold, aloof and uncaring about the years of support they have received from their fans and although that is most certainly not the case with Journey, in some eyes it can be damaging.
Originally published by L.S. Media. June 7th 2011.
Judy Collins is one of the great survivors of Folk music. Eclectic in her musical tastes and vision, she continues to thrill audiences with renditions of her own work and those of who she adores.
For the University of Liverpool to play host to one of the all-time greats of music can be seen as a particular pleasure and for the audience who sat patiently it was one of those rare nights where you allowed the artist to do whatever they wanted, talk about whatever they fancied and play whatever tunes they could muster. For Judy Collins comes across as one of those wonderful women who wants to impart knowledge of her life and who looks genuinely pleased to see people hanging on her every word.
Originally published by L.S. Media. June 11th 2011.
For their legendary fans, The Bay City Rollers were a phenomenon without equal, their unique tartan look and boyish appeal made them every teenage girl’s favourite band and scenes of them at gigs have long stayed in the memory of those either lucky enough to get tickets to their concerts or to the multitude that waited long after the final note just to see them and revel for a moment in their passion and glory.