Category Archives: Live

Steeleye Span, Gig Review. The Atkinson, Southport.

Steeleye Span at The Atkinson, Southport. February 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The tag line of the manner of the band may not sit well in some quarters but for others they are the undisputed royalty and arguably pinnacle of the English Folk revival and as the packed out audience at the Atkinson Theatre in Southport came to the very end of the set, the appreciation and acknowledgement of Steeleye Span creativity and fine music was palpable and endearing

Steeleye Span, Gig Review. The Atkinson, Southport. full post

(529 words, 1 image, estimated 2:07 mins reading time)

10cc, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool (2015)

10cc's Graham Gouldman at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. February 2015. Ph otograph by Ian n n

10cc’s Graham Gouldman at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. February 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

For some the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool is a natural home, a place where outstanding music and appreciation go hand in hand; the circle of harmony forever ongoing and in time. Some artists though don’t just make the sound they deliver welcoming to the acoustically acute ears of those that walk through the entrance to the venue on perhaps arguably the most appropriately named street in the city, they give it room to breathe and nestle in the very fabric of the building’s infrastructure; they make it live.

10cc, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool (2015) full post

(656 words, 1 image, estimated 2:37 mins reading time)

Paul Wilkes, Gig Review. Zanzibar, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

In some respects Al Capone may have had the greatest of intentions, albeit ultimately flawed and with murderous, evil intent, that to stage a massacre on Valentine’s Day would be remembered in the headlines of the papers of Chicago and further afield forever. However in the scheme of things and perhaps arguably with more noble and cherished intentions, the day does belong to those who make the most of the moving and special quality that a card and a prohibition gun can’t quite cut through.

Paul Wilkes, Gig Review. Zanzibar, Liverpool. full post

(402 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Cal Ruddy, Gig Review. Zanzibar, Liverpool.

Cal Ruddy, Zanzibar, Liverpool. February 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

To become a hero, to wallow just for a short while in deserved applause, the aspiring musician need not sell his soul to sit in the reflected glory of a highly profitable television programme, all they need to do is come through the possible agony of a live performance in front of friends and family in which some difficulties, otherwise known as real life, are met head on and beaten by sheer force of will and the demeanour of one born to succeed.

Cal Ruddy, Gig Review. Zanzibar, Liverpool. full post

(521 words, 1 image, estimated 2:05 mins reading time)

Ben Higgs, Gig Review. Zanzibar, Liverpool.

Ben Higgs at Zanzibar, February 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Watching the impressive Ben Higgs on stage is like witnessing the eclipse of the sun. You are aware of the potential that comes with the awe inspiring, you may have read accounts of it happening and taken in videos and short clips of the event, but it doesn’t prepare you for the sheer spectacle of strength that unfolds before you.

Ben Higgs, Gig Review. Zanzibar, Liverpool. full post

(413 words, 1 image, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

Kaiser Chiefs, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Kaiser Chiefs at the Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. February 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Arena tours are all well and good but on the odd occasion, to take a step away from the big swirling spaces and resonating echoes that the big halls can provide with serial relish, and to come to a venue steeped in musical history in the Midlands and remains captivatingly one of the best for atmosphere and crowd enjoyment, the Kaiser Chiefs hit the Wolverhampton Civic Hall with so much ammunition, so much energy, that the only surprise was the building and the audience were left intact at the end.

Kaiser Chiefs, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(514 words, 1 image, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)

Julian Cope, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Julian Cope at The Epstein Theatre in Liverpool 5th February 2015 photograph David Munn. www.davidmunn.co.uk.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

When you come home, or at least the place that loves you like no other, then you are allowed to be yourself and be rewarded with affection, the hearty laugh and the biggest, most heartfelt slap on the back imaginable. For Julian Cope, a son of the Midlands, a musician who just knows instinctively how to write songs that captures essence and stirs emotions, is more welcome in Liverpool than the sight of a European Cup Final Trophy atop of Red Rum and at the Epstein Theatre, that essence came out of the pumped out mists and gave the packed out audience an evening in which no one would have left with anything but gladdened heart.

Julian Cope, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(584 words, 2 images, estimated 2:20 mins reading time)

Inge Bremnes, Gig Review. Studio 2, Parr Street, Liverpool (2015).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Inge Bremnes may not seem to be a colossus, a man emulating the Gods of Norse mythology and whose stature comes with accompanying lightening strikes or with Freya’s beguiling charm but when he steps onto the stage a transformation seems to take place, the immensely likeable musician becomes something new, something exciting, and no matter how many times you have the honour of watching him the transformation from the humble to the riveting is rather thrilling and the music even more impressive.

Inge Bremnes, Gig Review. Studio 2, Parr Street, Liverpool (2015). full post

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

James Wyatt, Gig Review. Studio 2, Parr Street, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

A Sunday night in, the chance to rest, perhaps fall asleep in front of the usual television offering that the last day of the week affords, is a tempting offer. The weekend over, the winding down and wrestling with the thoughts of another seven days firmly implanted into the mind, is perhaps unavoidable and yet somewhere along the line, surely that means missing out on something nice, something tangible and with meaning, a sound that is haunting and beautiful, a set of songs in which the musician opens his heart live on stage and lets the words flow meaningful and with honour.

James Wyatt, Gig Review. Studio 2, Parr Street, Liverpool. full post

(465 words, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)

Neal John Oade, Gig Review. Studio 2, Parr Street, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There is folk music, then there is the granddaddy of the genre, the music that the immensity of the last 50 years owes as much a debt to the past as we, as listeners, owe the struggles and bravery of musicians such as Woody Guthrie, Ewan MacColl and Hamish Imlach. That granddaddy, the songs of the people in centuries past survive because they have a resonating truth that haunts every generation and stings them into some sort of resistance. The resistance might not take hold or be very strong but they at least leave a tangible fingerprint in which to remind that injustice should not stand.

Neal John Oade, Gig Review. Studio 2, Parr Street, Liverpool. full post

(537 words, estimated 2:09 mins reading time)