Level 42, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Gig Review.

Level 42 in concert. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 8th 2010.

For thirty years now Level 42 have been thrilling their fans and delivering a style of music rarely heard in this country and even rarer played with the charm and sophistication that any self respecting music fan would kill to hear.

Back in the 1980’s Level 42 were amongst the top rated bands in the country, with their easy style and pleasing lyrics, they were hailed as media darlings. Mark King certainly broke the mould with his particular way of playing the bass and with Mike Lindup on keyboards and adding his own personal voice on a lot of the group’s tracks; they seemed set to be one of the country’s big musical exports.

Level 42, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Gig Review. full post

(363 words, 1 image, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Manic Street Preachers, Gig Review. King George’s Hall, Blackburn.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

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

The Manic Street Preachers are a band that everybody should experience live at least once in their lifetime, understated, dramatic, proud and as real as you can get. There can no doubt that James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore are to be considered as three of the best live musicians of the last decade.

Manic Street Preachers, Gig Review. King George’s Hall, Blackburn. full post

(381 words, 1 image, estimated 1:31 mins reading time)

Supertramp, Breakfast In America (Re-issue). Album Review.

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

There has been a glut of regurgitated and repackaged albums around just recently, bands that have seemingly nothing more to add to their back catalogue getting on board a well worn bandwagon and offering their fans the opportunity to buy yet more of the same albums. In a lot of cases it is easy to see through the ploy of marketing men and the call of an easy pound but every so often there is a gem that comes through and reminds you of how good that band was in the first place.

Supertramp, Breakfast In America (Re-issue). Album Review. full post

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

Interview With Chris Meads, Director Of ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 14th 2010.

One of the most demanding roles in recent times at the Everyman theatre has to be Director of the critically acclaimed ‘Tis Pity she’s a Whore. I was able to catch up with Chris Meads briefly and have a chat with him about the play and his thoughts for the future.

How are you today?

Interview With Chris Meads, Director Of ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore. full post

(2171 words, estimated 8:41 mins reading time)

The Sound of Music, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 14th 2010.

Cast: Marilyn Hill Smith, Connie Fisher, Jennifer Owen, Suzanne Richardson, Ashleigh Richardson, Jenna Boyd, Michael Praed, Tony Kemp, Claire Fishenden.

 

Everything about The Sound of Music screams success. From the set design, the musicianship, the much loved songs and the choreography, everything that you could want from a musical, The Sound of Music delivered in spades.

For some The Sound of Music will only ever be about Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer’s dynamic in the 1965 film release but there is so much more to this story than the sight of nun’s and Nazis in pre-war Germany.

The Sound of Music, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. full post

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

Sheerwater, Gig Review. Static Gallery. Liverpool.

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

There is a new music name for people to get their teeth into; they are from Merseyside, they play like a dream, they have the authority to hold an audience’s attention and they’re rather good.

Sheerwater are a four piece outfit that shine and ooze personality and as they played through a set as part of the Band in a Box promotions night at the Static Gallery, the interested looks from those in attendance said it all. If they keep playing in this form and with the vibe they give, it won’t be long before they step up another level and get added to the names of other great 21st century bands that hail from the new home of culture.

Sheerwater, Gig Review. Static Gallery. Liverpool. full post

(356 words, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

Logical Tramp Pacific Road Arts Centre. Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead.

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

The music of Supertramp can easily send shivers down the spine of their fans, from classics such as Goodbye Stranger to the dramatic and sensual Lord is it Mine? The band have long been touted as one of the finest examples of British music from the last 50 years.

It is strange and surprising that even though the band rarely tour and Roger Hodgson has never been so popular with his touring that there are so few musicians who seem willing to take on the music and forever remind audiences how good the band’s sound is live.

Logical Tramp Pacific Road Arts Centre. Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead. full post

(397 words, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

Gary Numan, Gig Review. O2 Academy Liverpool.

Gary Numan at the o2 Academy, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by the L.S. Media. September 21st 2011.

L.S. Media Rating *****

Gary Numan has some of the most faithful followers in the music industry. From his beginning at the end of the 1970’s as the new pop hero with his new and experimental sounds and film noir look through to the present day where he is seen by some as the Godfather of Industrial Metal, they have stuck by him, added more along the way and through it all, Gary has been given everything back in stunning performances and music that can make grown men act like children in his presence.

Gary Numan, Gig Review. O2 Academy Liverpool. full post

(473 words, 1 image, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

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)