Roger Hodgson, Gig Review. Symphony Hall, Birmingham.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2007.

There are few musicians who would not feel intimidated by the air of expectation from a capacity crowd after being from a city or venue for nearly a quarter of a century.

Thankfully, on his return to Birmingham, former Supertramp singer Roger Hodgson carried it off beautifully.

This often painfully shy man strode on stage to respectful applause which seemed to catch him slightly unawares before he regained his composure and started a stunning evening’s entertainment with the opener Take The Long Way Home.

Roger Hodgson, Gig Review. Symphony Hall, Birmingham. full post

(153 words, estimated 37 secs reading time)

The Alarm, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

Mike Peters must currently be one of the hardest working musicians in rock.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. July 2007.

When he isn’t touring with Dead Men Walking or helping care for a new addition to his family whilst bravely battling serious illness, he’s on the road with his first love, The Alarm.

A packed Birmingham Academy cheered enthusiastically from the start as the band opened with the driving Three Sevens Clash and My Town before going into Something’s Got To Give.

The Alarm, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham. full post

(164 words, estimated 39 secs reading time)

The Stranglers, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. July 2007.

For many current bands, the prospect of touring without the aid of a new album to promote would be daunting.

Not so the Stranglers, because for J.J. Burnell, Jet Blac, Dave Greenfield and Baz Warne just to play in front of their loyal fan base is enough.

Coming on stage to their traditional entrance music, Waltz in Black, they proceeded to thrill the audience by opening the set with the rampaging Toiler On The Sea and Spectre Of Love, the latter from their now classic Suite XVI.

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

(187 words, estimated 45 secs reading time)

Marillion, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. June 2007.

From the pulsating, atmospheric opening of Splintering Heart to the emotional, heart jerking ending of Easter, a near-capacity audience was treated to a heady mix of songs from Marillion’s new album Somewhere Else and a selection from their extensive back catalogue.

The band treated the audience to a sample of the new album with the tracks The Other Half, Somewhere Else and single Thank You Whoever You Are.

These were deftly intertwined with classic songs such as the sublime Afraid Of Sunlight, You’re Gone and the hauntingly beautiful Fantastic Place.

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

(160 words, estimated 38 secs reading time)

Porcupine Tree, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. April 2007

With their latest album barely two weeks old, Porcupine Tree arrived fresh, eager and ready to showcase their new material.

Opening the set to mass applause with their brand new album title track Fear Of A Blank Planet; a dark look at modern-day British youth, they carefully mixed current material, including the stunning My Ashes and the epic Anethetize , with old favourites like Gravity Eyelids and Lightbulb Sun.

Frontman Steve Wilson’s delivery was perfect for the intricate soundscapes deftly created for this show, with touring guitarist and backing singer John Wesley providing superb musical and vocal support.

Porcupine Tree, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(173 words, estimated 42 secs reading time)

Damien Rice, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. April 2007.

For a while there seemed to be a dearth of young talented singer/songwriters who would struggle to stay the course but thankfully one man defying the trend is Damien Rice.

Welcomed by an enthusiastic capacity crowd, he immediately got fans in the right mood with the stunning Me, My Yoke and I from his latest critically acclaimed album, 9.

He then launched into a set full of moody, though provoking and atmospheric songs such as Woman Like A Man, Accidental Babies and the Incredible Volcano.

Damien Rice, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(134 words, estimated 32 secs reading time)

Thunder, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2006.

Over the last 16 years, Thunder seem to have become a by word for bands that just missed on the world stage while less deserving acts got more than their share of success.

Now With the band riding high again on the back of their current album, Robert Johnson’s Tombstone, it seems that the good times, as well as the excellent catchy lyrics, are back.

Opening with Back Street Symphony, frontman Danny Bowes skilfully took the near-capacity crowd’s thoughts back 16 years and then just as abruptly straight into the modern day with the crowd-pleaser Dirty Dream.

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

(201 words, estimated 48 secs reading time)

David Essex, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2006.

Modern acts could learn a valuable lesson in endurance from the evergreen David Essex, who spurned his advancing years to give a stunning performance.

An appreciative audience cheered and clapped throughout the two-hour show that opened with Beautiful Day from the album of the same name.

After the song Dust To Dust he thrilled the crowd by going back to his roots with Silver Dream Machine, set against a montage of scenes from the film, and perennial favourite Rock On.

David Essex, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(124 words, estimated 30 secs reading time)

The Stranglers, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. September 2006

Following the release of their stunning new album Suite XVI just a few weeks ago, the Stranglers, now back to a four piece, thrilled a dedicated an eager crowd at the Birmingham Academy.

Opening the set with the riff-crunching5 Minutes, J.J Burnell, Baz Warne, Dave Greenfield and Jet Black rocked and rampaged their way through an evening of old favourites and new material.

Classics such as Peaches, Always the Sun and the ever popular Golden Brown were given their deserved airing alongside Spectre of Love, Unbroken and I Hate You.

The Stranglers, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham. full post

(147 words, estimated 35 secs reading time)

Fish, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. May 2006.

It is a great tribute to former Marillion frontman Fish that after over 25 years in the music business he still commands an audience attention with wit, venom and style.

Opening with his first solo hit, Big Wedge, he then jumped 14 years to Moving Targets and Innocent Party from his last studio album Fields of Crows, before finishing the first part of the set with the haunting Raingods With Zippos/Make It Happen and the ever popular Credo.

After a brief break, the second part of the show was devoted to the best-selling 1985 Marillion album Misplaced Childhood.

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

(126 words, estimated 30 secs reading time)