Originally published by L.S. Media. August 30th 2010.
The Mathew Street Festival is a time for the whole city of Liverpool and all those that visit it during the Bank Holiday Weekend to take in as much music as possible. For some it’s the chance to reminisce over their youth and watch the six main stages come alive with songs from a different time. These then will stay in the mind for another year and the rest of the weekend will largely be forgotten.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 2nd 2010.
When somebody of Ian Parker’s ability and stature comes to town, it would be foolish to miss whatever event he has planned. Whether it’s the full band experience or just him and a couple of friendly musicians in tow, you are guaranteed a night of sheer bliss, a definite moment of aural exquisiteness.
With a range of styles to his arsenal, including blues, Ian kicked off the hour and half set with Gates of Hell and the sensual Winding River to an audience that adored his effortless playing and general put upon Midlands humour and self deprecating appreciation.
Originally published by L.S. Media. August 29th 2010.
L.S. Media Rating ****
For some the Mathew Street Festival means a chance to relive their youth and catch some cover acts that play extremely well and catch the spirit brilliantly of those bands that no longer tour or that are so popular, therefore so expensive, that the average person in the street cannot afford to attend any of the gigs they may arrange.
Originally published by L.S. Media. October 8th 2011.
Puressence may come across as a typical Manchester band, full of self-assurance and a drive that would hark back to images of the “Madchester” scene of the 90’s but strip away the preconceptions, the Manchester look and what you are left with is band that on stage really know what they are doing, plenty of talent and a lead singer whose voice is that of real and exciting quality.
Originally published by L.S. Media. October 11th 2011. 
L.S. Media Rating: ****
If you are going re-imagine your own songs and much loved tracks then do it with an abundance of style that will confuse the critics who were ready to reward any hard work with derision and scorn.
That’s exactly the result that Peter Gabriel has achieved with his latest look at music from his colourful andwide ranging past, the phenomenal New Blood. From the off, it has a dramatic new edge to it that will make you think of his music in a completely new way and with no qualms about his decision to use an orchestra to remake such classics as Red Rain, Digging in the Dirt and the ever popular Solsbury Hill.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. October 10th 2011.
L.S. Media Rating ****
There can be no doubting Chris DeBurgh’s appeal and delight in performing to a crowd of fans, old and new alike, his amiable and very likeable character not only come across when he is talking to the audience about his life but also in the way he presents his music. Completely professional with just the right of Gaelic charm that has endeared him to audiences world-wide, even places where other artists’ would back away from playing, Chris DeBurgh makes sure that nobody is disappointed when they leave one of his sold out nights.
Originally published by L.S. Media. October 12th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
One of the new big two of Progressive Rock, Touchstone, makes a superb comeback with the stunning new album The City Sleeps. With the last album Live in the U.S.A. still very much in the minds of the band, this new offering carries on the outstanding work that the group have created and have been admired for by their peers and fans alike.
Originally published by L.S. Media. October 16th 2011.
L.S.Media Rating: ***
There was only one way that Amy Lee could go after 2008’s The Open Door and that was to gather herself together, forget the past and strive to regain the delight in performing and making records that would match the ideal and superb debut album her band Evanescence achieved in what seems alife time ago.
photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. October 16th 2011.
L.S. Media Rating *****
Two acts with the same intensity, drive and showmanship sharing the night as a double header is rare but with Damien Dempsey kicking off the Liverpool Irish Music Festival in fine form, there was only one way Amsterdam could go in a very atmospheric o2 Academy and that was to match the whirlwind that is the popular Irishman and give the local and travelling fans a night to really let go and be proud of.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. October 17th 2011.
L.S. Media Rating *****
There is no two ways about it; a Damien Dempsey show is always going to be special, when it’s part of a double header involving Liverpool’s own Amsterdam then it’s going to considered the type of brilliant evening that anything else going on in Liverpool that night may as well resign itself to being relegated to small talk the following morning.