Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. February 4th 2012.L.S. Media Rating *****
The Kaiser Chiefs have got to be classed as one of the complete bands to emerge in the last 20 years. No matter how big and popular the Yorkshire lads have got, they look and play the part well of a band who are at home in a huge stadium, such as the Liverpool Echo Arena as they are in one of the many Academy venues dotted around the country.
Picture Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S.Media. February 12th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
There can be no better sight than of a much loved band coming back to their home, to where they belong and giving such an astounding performance that it blows everything out of the water. Ian Broudie may be understated and private but there is no doubting his ability, his dedication to Liverpool and some of the best music to have dominated the musical airwaves for the best part of five decades.
photo by chester rocks.com
Originally published by L.S. Media. February 16th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
It must be one of the hardest things to do in the music business; it’s up there with deciding whether or not a young up-coming band is going to break through and be the success that you hope they can be. To open up for a long established band with incredible pedigree and a lot of love constantly being showered their way from fans up and down the country could decimate and partially destroy some fledgling groups.
Steve Hackett at The Queen’s Hall. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. February 20th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
The title says it all, Steve Hackett at the Queen’s Hall. In a word, sensational!
Steve Hackett’s career is long, his output prestigious and he remains one of the finest guitarists to have ever come from these shores and even 41 years after Genesis released the eponymous album Nursery Cryme, he still has the power to pull in an audience some newer, more young and fresh faced bands will only ever dream of attaining. Fans may come and go but talent and dedication are binding.
Midge Ure at The Jam House. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. February 20th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
Ignore those who say with a surprised conviction in their voice, “Really, Midge Ure? Why hasn’t he retired yet?” For what’s the point in retirement from something you enjoy doing and the love you feel in return from fans that not only have followed your long and satisfying career from the start but also the amount of new, younger fans that were in abundance at The Jam House in Edinburgh.
Erica Nockalls and Miles Hunt. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media.February 23rd 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls never seem to stand still and rest on their impressive laurels. These two imposing musical stars have been on a journey, plying their trade up and down the country and to far flung corners for longer than some can remember.
Clare Grogan at Eric’s Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. February 26th 2012.
Don’t let the years that have passed since Clare Grogan first burst onto the scene as a happy and vivacious girl fool you. With the new version of Altered Images on stage awaiting Clare’s arrival, the patient and certainly excited crowd were greeted by the vision of Ms. Grogan dressed immaculately in a Greek style flowing dress weaving between members of the audience, saying hello and making certain hearts flutter as she passed by.
J.J. Burnel in Glasgow 2012. Picture by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 4th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
Nobody should ever believe that The Stranglers ever give two performances that are the same. The set list may undergo little tweaks and the odd track be removed in favour of a song that the dedicated fans at that night’s venue would appreciate more but that aside, the only things that remain constant are the intensity of the music and the passion of the crowd.
Barry Briercliffe at Studio 2. Picture by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 5th 2012.
In the area where some of the great albums of the last decade or so have been recorded, argued over, intense discussions over what musical note goes where, it’s always a relative oasis of calm when a night of music goes on, surrounded by the wooden panelling, pictures and awards and the sense of history.
Barry Briercliffe and Studio 2 sounds like a marriage made in heaven, add in the likes of the excellent Jo Bywater, Jessicas Ghost, Rae Clarke and Eddie Cooney, and that marriage is as close to a night of acoustic musical heaven as is near possible to experience.
The Stranglers in concert at the 02 Academy, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 6th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
The Stranglers took a well-deserved day off from their latest tour, the adrenalin no doubt still flowing strongly through their veins from a Glasgow gig that would take some beating for all who were fortunate to witness the gig.
The band arrived in the city the night before the o2 Academy, Liverpool gig to catch up with friends and partake in deep conversation. By the end of the gig, talk may have been on other things, events that rarely happen at concerts any more.