Chumbawamba, Gig Review. Liverpool Baby Blue.

Originally published by L.S. Media. March 7th 2009.

Like most people the only time I have come across Chumbawamba is when they released Tub-Thumping in 1997, the wonderful moment when they chucked water over the then deputy Prime Minister John Prescott during the Brit Awards and their support of the Liverpool Dockers.

Chumbawamba are a band that have stuck by their convictions and politics, and more power to them for doing so and not selling out after they had they had a number two hit with the aforementioned song. Instead they have concentrated on making music that appealed to them and to the loyal fans, this shows with the diverse age and cross section of the audience that attended the evening for whom it looked as if that music was there to be enjoyed and not to worry about all extras which go with it.

Chumbawamba, Gig Review. Liverpool Baby Blue. full post

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

Electric Six, 02 Academy. Gig Review. Liverpool.

The band have been termed as “genre blurring” by some members of the music press and it’s easy to see why; not only do you get the visual of early rock bands plying their trade and some guitar riffs that would make any self respecting rocker proud to call their own but you get the disco prog, high camp feel of Mott The Hoople infused with parts of metal, Garage and new wave. Certainly a band that covers every taste!

Electric Six, 02 Academy. Gig Review. Liverpool. full post

(383 words, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)

Metallica, Gig Review. o2 Arena, London.

Originally published by L.S. Media. March 30th 2009.

For a time it looked as though the band that had spawned classic albums such as Master of Puppets, …And Justice for All and Ride the Lightning had reached a dead end, in the studio and on tour. So much so that even loyal fans and critics started questioning the band’s future when they released St. Anger in 2003.

With the release of Death Magnetic last year, all of that has been forgiven and forgotten. This album has transferred so well to the live show that the band have largely, (with a couple of exceptions) scrubbed clean the years 1993 to 2007 off their set list.

Metallica, Gig Review. o2 Arena, London. full post

(517 words, estimated 2:04 mins reading time)

Asia, Gig Review. Floral Pavilions, New Brighton.

Originally published by l.S. Media. April 24th 2009.

Opening the set with Only Time Will Tell and Wildest Dreams from their 1982 debut album Asia, the stage was set for the four men to provide one of their great shows that they are famous for; and as ever they didn’t disappoint.

As always, Asia started the gig as consummate professionals and as always never relaxed the tone as they turned back the clock to play The Smile Has Left Your Eyes.

Asia, Gig Review. Floral Pavilions, New Brighton. full post

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

Queensryche, American Soldier. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. May 7th 2009.

Queensryche have long been held up as one of the best examples of the heavy metal/progressive rock genre, and after the critically poor showing of Operation Mindcrime Two, it is good to welcome back the band as they show off their brand new release American Soldier.

Queensryche, American Soldier. Album Review. full post

(366 words, 1 image, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)

Eric Clapton, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. May 14th 2009.

With over fifty years of experience of playing on stage and a song book that most bands would kill for, it is with no small wonder that Eric Clapton still manages to make the art of playing guitar look so incredibly simple. Even appearing on stage to no fanfare and looking more dishevelled than a tumble dryer full of wet clothes, he still manages to look the coolest man in the world.

Eric Clapton, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool. full post

(344 words, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

Chess, Theatre Review. Floral Pavilions, New Brighton.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 12th 2009.

Cast: Paul Kirkbright, Sarah Hardman-Gardner, Samantha Arnold, Tony Clare, Bill Seabury, Mike Ellis, Ray Davies, Lois Holland.

There’s much to be said for a company of players and a director who tackle the seemingly impossible task of putting on Tim Rice’s Chess. A production that famously had teething troubles many years into its run on the West End stage

Thankfully the West Kirby Light Opera Society rose to the challenge and despite some lighting technicalities through the first act you really couldn’t fault the artists on stage for their dedication to the story, nor could you fault the Orchestra, for their playing of some of the more difficult tunes, it was simply breathtaking.

Chess, Theatre Review. Floral Pavilions, New Brighton. full post

(305 words, estimated 1:13 mins reading time)

Magnum, Into The Valley Of The Moon King. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 12th 2009.

With the imminent release of the 15th studio album, Into the Valley of the Moon King, perennial rockers Magnum have once more showed how good they are at recording new and exciting material.

Songwriter/Guitarist/ Producer Tony Clarkin seems to have pulled out all the stops on this album making it one of the catchiest records to date. The opening intro which makes good use of Mark Stanway’s keyboards is quickly followed up by the punchy ‘Cry To Yourself’. This track already has the feel of a gig opener and I suspect will be treated with respect by Magnum’s loyal fans.

Magnum, Into The Valley Of The Moon King. Album Review. full post

(332 words, 1 image, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)

War Of The Worlds Musical By Jeff Wayne. Theatre/Musical Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 15th 2009.

Cast;  The voice of Richard Burton, Shannon Noll, Justin Hayward, Chris Thompson,  Anna-Marie Wayne.

“No one would have believed…”

…that thirty years ago an album would come out that blew its initial budget within weeks of starting recording. An album that used some of the greatest musical talent ever and one of the most iconic and greatest of British actors to grace stage and screen. An album that was based upon the book by the “father of science fiction” H. G Wells!

War Of The Worlds Musical By Jeff Wayne. Theatre/Musical Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool. full post

(606 words, estimated 2:25 mins reading time)

Hippy’s On The Hill, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 23rd 2009.

From time to time if you are lucky, you get to see a young band on stage who just simply blow you away. Sometimes you think they might be a flash in the pan, that you just got fortunate enough to catch them on a good night. Not so with Hippy’s on the Hill.

These four local lads have got talent by the bucket load and an attitude that is refreshing and unexpected, especially when you see that that the average age of the foursome is just 16.

Hippy’s On The Hill, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(244 words, estimated 59 secs reading time)