Sepultra, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by L.S. Media. July 18th 2010.

To some, the world of Heavy Metal from the Americas and all its musical siblings only consist of the likes of Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer, but there is a band that has been thrilling audiences world- wide for a quarter of century and armed to the teeth with attitude, crunching, booming guitars and vocals that send shivers down the spine.

Sepultra may have gone through many changes over the years, with only the bass player Paulo Jnr. lasting the course from their early days in Brazil as a constant reminder of how the band (in whatever incarnation) can claim to be amongst the foremost bands in their genre.

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

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

Jools Holland, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. July 16th 2010.

If there is anybody who can be guaranteed to get any audience up off their feet, then surely that man is Jools Holland.

From humble beginnings with Wayne County and the Electric Chairs, through to the phenomenal success with Squeeze and a major talent in his own right, he host his own television music show, a bandleader and the man the B.B.C turn to every year when they want to see in the New Year with aplomb and a big dollop of incredible diverse music. There is seemingly nothing this man cannot tackle and achieve. To do all this and still make time to tour is nothing short of impressive.

Jools Holland, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool. full post

(385 words, 1 image, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)

Council Depot Blues, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

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

Cast: Jake Abraham, Roy Brandon, Paul Broughton, Lindzi Germain, Howard Gray, Phil Hearne, Shaun Mason, Andrew Schofield.

It seems Davy Kirby can do no wrong when it comes to observing the characters and situations that make Liverpool such a unique city, with Brick up the Mersey Tunnels and Lost Soul having received critical and commercial acclaim over the last couple of years, the time was right to let Council Depot Blues have another turn at the Royal Court Theatre.

Council Depot Blues, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool. full post

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

Marillion, Gig Review. The Assembly, Leamington Spa.

Steve Hogarth, Leamington Spa. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. July 26th 2010.

There can’t have been too many bands that spent the night before the inaugural High Voltage Festival thrilling a packed out venue, there certainly won’t have been a band that produced, quite possibly, one of their best ever sets outside of a convention.

With everyone in their positions, the band and fans alike, Steve Hogarth came out on stage to rapturous applause from a crowd eager to cheer on a band that has never disappointed and always aimed to please.

Marillion, Gig Review. The Assembly, Leamington Spa. full post

(382 words, 1 image, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)

Pete Trewavas Of Marillion And Transatlantic Interview, High Voltage.

Originally published by L.S. Media. July 27th 2010.

It’s the afternoon after the two nights before and I find Pete Trewavas in an unexpected jovial mood. I shouldn’t be really surprised, sure he has spent the last two nights playing and rocking out with two of the three acts he is associated with, the night before High Voltage with Marillion in Leamington Spa and the Saturday night with super group Transatlantic, but there is something different about the genial bass player that sets him apart from others in his position.

Pete Trewavas Of Marillion And Transatlantic Interview, High Voltage. full post

(1595 words, estimated 6:23 mins reading time)

High Voltage Festival. Victoria Park, London. Day One.

Carl Palmer in fine form at High Voltage. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. July 30th 2010.

Three stages, thirty nine bands, a couple of major surprises and 48 hours in which Victoria Park was transformed from a quiet leafy setting in the East End of London to one that every rock, prog and metal fan, from the wonderful vocal talent of Kim Seviour to the last cymbal being crashed by Carl Palmer, would come to enjoy and hope that the inaugural High Voltage Festival will not be the last.

High Voltage Festival. Victoria Park, London. Day One. full post

(1561 words, 1 image, estimated 6:15 mins reading time)

Live in the U.S.A, Touchstone. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. July 31st 2010.

Live albums can be a bit or miss, in one respect there is a call from the bands faithful to have that experience, a memory of a gig that they have attended and enjoyed. There are also those fans who cannot make a certain concert, whether it is because of lack of money, they may have been working that particular night or they may feel uncomfortable in such large crowds.

Live in the U.S.A, Touchstone. Album Review. full post

(452 words, 1 image, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

High Voltage Festival. Victoria Park, London. Day Two.

Steve Hackett at High Voltage 2010. hotograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. July 27th 2010.

“Meet the new day, same as the previous day”, The Who may have sung had they been available to highlight the Classic Rock stage on day two of High Voltage. As it was there were other bands on show and in no way were the two days alike. Sure the overall theme of the festival was still there, everybody was out to have a real good time in the July sun and there were bands galore to sink your teeth into but there the similarities ended.

High Voltage Festival. Victoria Park, London. Day Two. full post

(1698 words, 1 image, estimated 6:48 mins reading time)

Spamalot, Empire Theatre, Liverpool. Theatre Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. August 10th 2010.

“Camelot, it’s such a silly place” but so marvellous to visit and a joy to see Eric Idle’s West End smash hit comedy Spamalot transfer effortlessly around the country and eventually park the savage rabbit, doll out the much loved absurdity and revel in the spirit that is pure Monty Python at the Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Written by Eric Idle and a musical score by John Du Prez, the story is pretty much the same as the film created by the Python team but with a few saucy extra bits added to give the talented cast as much time on stage as is possible.

Spamalot, Empire Theatre, Liverpool. Theatre Review. full post

(386 words, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

Not Advised, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. August 12th 2010.

Not Advised may come from an unfashionable setting when it comes to music but there is sense of youthful expertise that will surely see them become one of the best musical talents to come out of the Southampton/New Forest area.

The lads opened up the set with the electrifying Right Now and A Red Light Situation, both of which did enough to dispel any lingering doubts that the young Southampton band’s own taste in music would not cross the North- South rock divide.

Not Advised, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(302 words, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)