Magnum, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

There could have been no better act to be a part of the Robin’s tenth year anniversary celebrations than local rock icons, Magnum.  Coming off the back of a long tour might have daunted some bands but Bob Catley, Tony Clarkin, Mark Stanway, Al Barrow and drummer Harry James took to the stage with consummate ease.

Opening with Back to Earth and the storming When We Were Younger from the last studio album Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow, Magnum had all guns blazing and delivered a set list that was strong on performance and high on audience participation.

Magnum, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(175 words, estimated 42 secs reading time)

Allanah Myles, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. September 2008.

The acclaimed Robin 2 venue began its week of 10th anniversary shows with an impressive performance by Alannah Myles.

Opening with Comment Ca Va? From the new album Black Velvet and old favourite Love Is, it was plain to see she was suffering from flu and the after-effects of a major whiplash injury in a car accident. However, she battled through the pain to give a first rate performance to an appreciative audience.

Allanah Myles, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(121 words, estimated 29 secs reading time)

Breathing Space, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Whilst only being two albums into their career, Breathing Space are being seen by some as natural successors to the Kings of Prog title that gets bandied about so often.

Much credit for this must go to the sublime vocals of Olivia Spearman, whose range and strength belies the years of only being credited as a backing singer and the single mindedness and creativity of ex-Mostly Autumn keyboard player Iain Jennings.

Opening the night with the title song of their last album Coming Up For Air and The Senses, Breathing Space treated the audience to a night of fine musicianship and superb vocals, which was very much in evidence in the songs Time Tells All The Unknown and the beautiful Rain Song.

Breathing Space, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(171 words, estimated 41 secs reading time)

Andy Fairweather Low And The Low Riders, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. August 2008.

For someone who has worked with some of the great guitarists of the last 30 years, Andy Fairweather Low is not too proud to go back to his roots and play music for the sheer joy.

With his love of blues and a wonderful back catalogue to choose from, the former Amen Corner frontman managed to keep a dedicated audience hanging on his every word throughout this two-set gig.

After opening with Champagne Melody and the upbeat Zazzy, Andy charmed the crowd with songs from his Best Of album and a few surprises, including a terrific version of The Beatles’ Rocky Raccoon.

Andy Fairweather Low And The Low Riders, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(170 words, estimated 41 secs reading time)

The Rats, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. August 2008.

During the last few years, there has been an abundance of 70’s and 80’s bands making comebacks but one act resisting the clamour to reform was the Boomtown Rats – until now.

With no chance of Bob Geldolf rejoining, it has been left to original members Simon Crowe back to doing what he does best on drums and Garry Roberts on guitar, they were joined by Peter Barton on vocals and the impressive Darren Beale on guitar.

The Rats, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(189 words, estimated 45 secs reading time)

Journey, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. June 2008.

Despite so much band history and fan expectation to live up to, Journey’s new vocalist Arnel Pineda blew away the cobwebs of 70’s and 80’s rock with a performance that belied his youth and lack of serious stage time.

After opening the set with Never Walk Away, from the new album, Revelation and old favourite Separate Ways, the band seemed to grow in confidence as each song was played to a packed audience.

Journey, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(127 words, estimated 30 secs reading time)

Queensyche, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. June 2008.

With two critically acclaimed albums to play in one night, you could be forgiven for thinking the task was going to prove itself too difficult to recreate live. However, Queenscryche relished such a challenge and even topped it.

Opening the night with the first Operation Mindcrime album, the crow was presented with a theatrical stage gig mixing the live band performance with actors and a stunning animated/live action screen show which provided a dynamic  backdrop to the set.

Queensyche, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(189 words, estimated 45 secs reading time)

Yazoo, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. June 2008.

Despite only releasing two albums in the early 1980’s, Yazoo have caught the spirit of the times and reformed for long-overdue shows.

Opening the evening with the chilling Nobody’s Diary, Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke treated a capacity crowd to a night of near perfection with Moyet’s sultry, smokey blues voice harking back to a time when Space Invaders were all the rage and electro pop  ruled the airwaves.

With classics like Mr. Blue, Ode to Boy and an excellent version of In My Room, the evening went by far too quickly.

Yazoo, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(153 words, estimated 37 secs reading time)

Steve Harley And The Cockney Rebel, Gig Review. Town Hall, Birmingham.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. June 2008

With a back catalogue stretching back 30 years and containing some of the most diverse and eclectic songs to grace one man’s career, it is no wonder Steve Harley still manages to attract large audiences to his gigs.

Opening with the wonderful The Last Goodbye from the Quality of Mercy album and Psychomodo, the fans were treated to a show of near professionalism as Steve studiously ignored sound gremlins which dogged the start of the show.

Steve finished the main set with the epic Sebastian.

Ian D. Hall.

Steve Harley And The Cockney Rebel, Gig Review. Town Hall, Birmingham. full post

(98 words, estimated 24 secs reading time)

Midge Ure, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. My 2008.

For a night of classic acoustic rock, you couldn’t go far wrong than a gig by singer/songwriter Midge Ure. Where other solo artists would struggle to fill the stage, Midge seemed to revel in the sparseness.

He began with Ultravox’s Loves Great Adventure and Personal Heaven before playing his co-creation of Visage’s Fade To Grey and delightful rendition of One Small Day.

Midge pulled a couple of classic covers out of the bag with Peter Green’s Man of the World and a stunning version of the Walker Brothers classic No Regrets, before finishing the set with Dancing with Tears In My Eyes.

Midge Ure, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(164 words, estimated 39 secs reading time)