Echo And The Bunnymen, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 1st 2011.

Arguably one of the great and iconic Liverpool bands from the 1980’s would surely have to be Echo and the Bunnymen. Although they may have divided opinion on their style and delivery there can be no doubting that to their fans, they were unrivalled and without equal. A fusion of the anger that built up in the city after many years of negativity and powerful imaginative story-telling, wrapped neatly in a bubble of soaring synths and early gothic guitars.

Echo And The Bunnymen, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. full post

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

All we Are, Gig Review. Williamson Tunnels, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

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

L.S. Media Rating ****

The Williamson Tunnels might not be the first venue in Liverpool that springs to mind when thinking of places to hold a gig, even within the city of Liverpool, it can be a surprise to people who have lived here for years that it holds within its brick walls the ability to host some amazing gigs. It was also no less than perfect for one of Liverpool’s most favourite adopted sons, Richard O’Flynn and his new band All We Are.

All we Are, Gig Review. Williamson Tunnels, Liverpool. full post

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

Bob Geldof, Gig Review. Southport Theatre.

Bob Geldof in Southport. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 15th 2011.

L.S. Media Rating ****

 

Bob Geldof doesn’t tour that often, he doesn’t bring out albums all that frequently either; however within the space of nine months, Bob has managed to do both. The vocal and yet warm crowd that attended the excellent show at the Southport Theatre were treated to a performance by Bob that reminded all that the man still has fire in his veins; a spirit that cannot be easily dismissed and a personality that is so likeable and infectious, that even when he is ranting against the world, there is a certain spark of enjoyment in his eye.

Bob Geldof, Gig Review. Southport Theatre. full post

(436 words, 1 image, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

Heart, Red Velvet Car. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 17th 2010.

It can seem odd to hear an album by a band and think that they have finally gone full circle and ended up where they began, fresh faced and full of hope and a wonderful sense of naivety of how their lives would pan out over the following decades.

Red Velvet Car is the new album by 70’s American folk heroes and 80’s rock stars Heart, that crushed all before them and gave a breath of life to a dying genre before almost imploding themselves and becoming caricatures of what they had set out to preserve.

Heart, Red Velvet Car. Album Review. full post

(425 words, 1 image, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

Bowling For Soup, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 21st 2010.

Perhaps it’s ironic that Bowling for Soup brought their particular brand of rock to Liverpool on the night that the city was hosting the MOBO awards for the first time. In one corner of the city the corporate and glitzy glamour that is always associated with ceremonies throughout the world and in the other, four lads from Texas, plying their trade the only way they know how, with a room full of eager, sweaty, loyal fans and one hell of a party atmosphere.

Bowling For Soup, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(334 words, 1 image, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)

The Anderson/Wakeman Project, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Rick Wakeman at the Philharmonic Hall. Photgraph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 20th 2010.

Just over a year ago Jon Anderson came on stage at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool to the kind of applause that is reserved for visiting dignitaries and Liverpool’s favourite sons and daughters. To see the man on stage after the year he had the year before was nothing short of a miracle and it didn’t matter what he performed that night, even if he had sat down and read the newspaper the fans would have cheered just as hard and for as long.

The Anderson/Wakeman Project, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. full post

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

Amsterdam, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 24th 2010.

Amsterdam may have been quiet on the recording front this year and only playing a select number of live dates, a critically acknowledged tour alongside The Wonderstuff and a sell-out evening at the Liverpool Academy amongst them, however when they have performed, the music is the same high quality, full of frustration, anger at the way of the world and beautifully, unarguably sentimental.

Amsterdam, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool. full post

(322 words, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)

John Otway, Gig Review. Bilston Robin 2.

John Otway at the Bilston Robin. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 29th 2010.

John Otway may not be a name that runs off easily of the lips of many modern music lovers, however for a generation of people bought up with the idea of individualism, the man stands out as shining beacon of hope in an ever increasing drab world.

Part rock star/part imaginary chemistry teacher who would have taught that science could be fun if he had made that a career choice; John Otway weaves his way through an evening’s entertainment with panache, style, the best use of a Theremin anywhere and a big dollop of inspired insanity that marks the man out as one in a million.

John Otway, Gig Review. Bilston Robin 2. full post

(358 words, 1 image, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)

The Bad Shepherds, By Hook Or By Crook. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. November 1st 2010.

When The Bad Shepherds released their debut album, Yan Tyan, Tethera, Methera! In 2009 the general public at large were unaware of the band who were about to change the way we think of Punk and Folk music.

Roll forward in time just over a year and the band are about to release the long awaited follow up to that quirky, intelligent and incredibly fun album in the pun driven title By Hook or by Crook.

The Bad Shepherds, By Hook Or By Crook. Album Review. full post

(353 words, 1 image, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

Wings, Band on the Run. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. November 1st 2010.

When the Beatles collapsed under the weight of their own expectation and the bitter infighting that had dogged them towards the end of their career, the race was on, unofficially, too see which of the musical legends would grasp the mantle of most diverse and commercial member of that now defunct band.

Wings, Band on the Run. Album Review. full post

(420 words, 1 image, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)