Category Archives: Live

Path Unknown, Gig Review. Zanzibar, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The name of the band may be Path Unknown but since their debut gig at the O2 Academy in January of this year, the course they have been on, the direction they are treading has been ever upwards and quite rightly so. This is no way an unknown path, this is one that is very well thought out and performed so well that in seven short months the band has already made several inspired moves sound wise. From being good and ones to watch at The Academy, to slap me sideways with a cold halibut excellent takes quality, hubris and a dedication in achieving the best, all this has been realised.

Path Unknown, Gig Review. Zanzibar, Liverpool. full post

(365 words, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)

Nighthowl, Gig Review. Camp And Furnace, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Liverpool in the sunshine, for that matter in any weather, is a wondrous place and when the music gets its look in the summer haze it becomes even more special. The sense of history that emanates across the city is captured in how music can appear seemingly anywhere, from somebody picking up a guitar and heading down to the docks and giving the visitors an extra reason for enjoying their day out or even when it features heavily at a craft fair in a building that not long ago was more suited the grind, dirt and steel, the imagery of the dark satanic mills never too far away.

Nighthowl, Gig Review. Camp And Furnace, Liverpool. full post

(343 words, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

Gary Edward Jones, Gig Review. Camp and Furnace, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Camp and Furnace in Liverpool is an open secret, those that know about this charming cultural hive of activity cannot get enough of it and its industrial past, the relic of an industrial revolution that has gone beyond the thought of dirt, disease and dark satanic mills and has become a place of beauty. It is also a great place in which to catch live acoustic music and the slight nod to the electric.

Gary Edward Jones, Gig Review. Camp and Furnace, Liverpool. full post

(392 words, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Hugh Cornwell, Gig Review. The Citadel, St. Helens.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Hugh Cornwell is a name that so many have grown up with. No matter the age of the listener, it seems his own solo career and his lengthy time with The Stranglers has touched people’s music conscious and keeps on doing so. No small wonder that the man seems to get more and more enjoyment from coming out on stage, even if he doesn’t say so, his body language speaks volumes as he trades notes and the odd smile with the audience.

Hugh Cornwell, Gig Review. The Citadel, St. Helens. full post

(418 words, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

Heaven’s Basement, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

The walls at the o2 Academy have seen some incredible acts in the long years that it has stood on Hotham Street, it has held those memories within its brickwork and steel framing for so long that perhaps it is unsurprising that those reminiscences, the ghosts of fantastic sessions decided to come out of the stonework, to bleed themselves out and drench the audience in sweat at the outstanding and ear obliterating concert given by Heaven’s Basement.

Heaven’s Basement, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(490 words, estimated 1:58 mins reading time)

Buffalo Summer, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Wales has always managed to hold onto its musical secrets until the right time comes along to unleash them upon the world in a blaze of Welsh pride, especially its rock groups. The Alarm, Manic Street Preachers, The Reasoning and The Stereophonics all have become household names over the decades not just in their home country but across the River Severn and through the mountains and hills of the North and invaded the collective music thought of the neighbours in England.

Buffalo Summer, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

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

Skarlett Riot, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Some people kick off their weekend by taking off their work shoes slumping infront of the television for the night and only moving again when the television reception goes wonky. Others will be more adventurous and make their way into town and watch television on a big screen as Wimbledon reaches its climax. For some though the chance to take in some music, to find an oasis in a desert, is too compelling an opportunity to mess with and as Skarlett Riot entered the fray at the O2 Academy to a crowd that was already in love with them after catching the foursome finish their warm-up, there may as well have been a big sign stamped on the wall saying, your weekend starts here, rock your heart out and enjoy!

Skarlett Riot, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(392 words, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Simon Townshend, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Just a little over a 24 hours since he went on stage as part of a phenomenal line up at the Echo Arena, Simon Townshend graced the Liverpool o2 Academy with a set that burned with excellence and unequivocal energy.

As part of The Who alongside Roger Daltrey and  Pete Townshend, Simon had rocked and stormed the large arena in town and given those present one of the loudest concerts they are likely to hear all year. When stepping onto the stage at The Academy though, he was more sedate and laid back but funnily enough just as intense and creatively thunderous, it was almost as if the spirits that had guided him as part of the much loved British band were still hanging around and urging him to continue the good work.

Simon Townshend, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

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

The Who, Gig Review. Liverpool Echo Arena.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 10/10

Towards the end of The Who’s impressive, even epic set, there was a small message that blinked into existence for just the briefest of seconds which uttered the instruction, “Keep rocking, Liverpool’, in truth this is a city that doesn’t need telling twice but as instructions go it was up there with the best of them.

The Who, Gig Review. Liverpool Echo Arena. full post

(544 words, estimated 2:11 mins reading time)

Rob McGuffin, Gig Review. Zanzibar, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

From ashes does life grow, it can and will flourish given the right space, the right temperament and in music terms being somebody who cares deeply about their passion for picking up a guitar and taking an audiences hand through some great rock numbers.

When the fabulous Kids With Lighters unfortunately went their amicable separate ways, there could have been the usual fallout of genuine talent falling by the way side and emerging as some do many years later looking for a second stab at the profession. Not so with Rob McGuffin, the highly likeable and intelligent musician has carefully and with a large amount of skill attached to his superb disposition been making inroads again and has already proved himself of all places in the heart of Birmingham with his chosen musical weapon.

Rob McGuffin, Gig Review. Zanzibar, Liverpool. full post

(350 words, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)