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)

Magnum, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Alan Barrow of Magnum. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. May 2008.

Marking the 20th anniversary of the now classic Wings of Heaven, Magnum arrived on stage to thunderous applause from a near capacity audience.

Opening the night with Back to Earth and the impressive version of the bouncy crowd pleaser When We Were Younger, the Midland based band breezed effortlessly through a two hour set without comprising their subtlety of sound.

Other old favourites such as the stomping Vigilante and Midnight You Won’t Be Sleeping were given a new lease of life, helped in part by Magnum’s borrowed drummer, no less than Thunder’s Harry James.

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

(199 words, 1 image, estimated 48 secs reading time)

Australian Pink Floyd, Gig Review. N.I.A. Birmingham.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. April 2008.

Even though the members of Pink Floyd no longer tour together, there is a band who still play some of the 20th Century’s finer musical moments.

The Australian Pink Floyd have built a reputation as possibly the finest cover band around. Not only does the light and laser effects dazzle but every song is played absolutely note perfect. Add into this a distinct edge of Australian humour and you have the best night imaginable.

Australian Pink Floyd, Gig Review. N.I.A. Birmingham. full post

(219 words, estimated 53 secs reading time)

David Essex, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. April 2008.

With a wealth of material going back nearly 40 years, it would be hard for anyone person to come up with as good a set list and showmanship as David Essex does. Combine this with his shy elegance and you can see why he is still touring and is one of the best professionals in the business.

Opening the night with his new album’s title track, Happy Ever After, he continued with Before I Met You and the beautifully sung If I Could. David then went into a collection of songs that will be featuring in his new musical, All the Fun of the Fair.

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

(141 words, estimated 34 secs reading time)