The Undertones, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 16th 2011.

The year 1979 may be remembered for many things, Pink Floyd’s eponymous album The Wall was released, Britain struggled to get going again after the winter of discontent and the political aftermath that followed and in Derry, Northern Ireland a group of lads released one of the finest debut albums ever recorded.

The Undertones have been quite rightly lauded by the likes of radio legend John Peel who famously loved Teenage Kicks so much that it made him cry and many bands and critics have praised the Undertones for their Punk/Rock feel and grasp of the eloquent use of the English language.

The Undertones, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

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

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

Bob Catley rocks the crowd at the University of Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 17th 2011.

Magnum can arguably be called one of the finest bands to come out of the Midlands area, with a string of bestselling albums to their name and with a fan base that other rock groups would be proud to call their own, the band are on a second wave of popularity that has seen them deliver five well written and musically superior albums since they reformed after their split in 1994.

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

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

Hugh Cornwell, Gig Review. The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton.

Hugh Cornwell at the Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 17th 2011.

There will always be fans and critics alike who hark back to the days when Hugh Cornwell was the lead vocalist with the punk band and great British export The Stranglers, however, what these fans and critics always seem to miss is the prodigious amount of work that Hugh has done in the 21 years since he left the band and without sounding condescending to the man, how damn good that solo stuff is and how laid back his nights on stage are.

Hugh Cornwell, Gig Review. The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton. full post

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

Tell Me On A Sunday, Theatre Review. Liverpool Empire Theatre.

Cast: Claire Sweeney.

Tell me on A Sunday is one of the most endearing and likeable musicals created by Andrew Lloyd Webber, whether it’s the addition of Don Black’s superbly written and well observed lyrics or the fact that almost everyone can resonate and identify with the girl on stage as she finds herself thrust into a life far from home, in a strange city, strange country with nothing but her sense of humour and the thought of meeting that one person who they can share their life with.

Tell Me On A Sunday, Theatre Review. Liverpool Empire Theatre. full post

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

Rush, Moving Pictures. 30th Anniversary Edition. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 23rd 2011.

There are some anniversaries that deserve a little something extra, a chance to really set the town alight, go the whole hog and show that special someone how much you care and love them. For fans of the Canadian super group Rush, that’s exactly what’s happened for them in the form of the seminal piece of work Moving Pictures.

Rush, Moving Pictures. 30th Anniversary Edition. Album Review. full post

(446 words, 1 image, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)

The Real People, Gig Review. The Cavern, Liverpool.

 

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 22nd 2011.

If pushed for an answer, where would you say that Britpop started? Some will stand and yell Oasis till they are blue in the face; others will cite the works of Blur and the talent that is in no doubt in the shape of Damon Albarn, Graham Coxen, Alex James and Dave Rowntree. If pushed a little harder there are those that would even declare that without Pulp, the other two wouldn’t matter and for certain Jarvis Cocker has his moments; however to anybody in Liverpool you only have one answer that has to be The Real People.

The Real People, Gig Review. The Cavern, Liverpool. full post

(477 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

The Icicle Works, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 30th 2011.

Ian McNabb is one of those Liverpool musicians that demands the affection of Liverpool audiences, from his days as one of three men to give the Liverpool Rock movement a timely boost in the form of the Icicle Works to his solo output which has thrilled his legions of fans and given Ian the status of one of Liverpool’s favourite sons.

The Icicle Works, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(419 words, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)

Brian May And Kerry Ellis, Anthems. Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

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.

Brian May And Kerry Ellis, Anthems. Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. full post

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

The Lady in the Van, Theatre Review. Liverpool Playhouse.

Picture from Liverpool Live

Cast: Nicola McAuliffe, Paul Kemp, James Holmes, Tina Gambe, Emma Gregory, Fiz Marcus, Benedict Sandiford, Martin Wimbush, Janet Harrison.

From the mind of one of the most unique of British playwrights, comes one of the most fascinating pieces of theatre to have been envisaged and produced and given that certain inspired finish that only Yorkshire born Alan Bennett can write is the play The Lady in the Van.

The Lady in the Van, Theatre Review. Liverpool Playhouse. full post

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

Macbeth, The Everyman Theatre, Liverpool. Theatre Review.

L. S. Media Rating: *****

Cast: David Morrissey, Julia Ford, Mark Arends, Ken Bradshaw, Richard Bremner, Neil Caple, Matthew Flynn, Gillian Kearney, Syrus Lowe, Gavin Marshall, Shaun Mason, Nathen McMullen, Eileen O’Brien.

It may not have been an easy process taking one of the great works by William Shakespeare, however in Macbeth, David Morrissey, Julia Ford and Gemma Bodinetz and all those that make up the team at the Everyman Theatre, the Liverpool public put their collective trust in the final big scale performance that will be held at this iconic Liverpool theatre before the extensive redevelopment that’s due to start.

Macbeth, The Everyman Theatre, Liverpool. Theatre Review. full post

(447 words, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)