Tag Archives: Gig Review

Asia, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. March 2008.

With a new album entitled Phoenix out soon, Asia thrilled a small but appreciative audience with a night of tasters, classic and member’s songs.

Asia opened with amongst Only Time Will Tell and the magnificent Wildest Dreams before Steve Howe took centre stage with the Yes classic Roundabout.

As good as the first part of the evening was, by opening the second set with Carl Palmer’s contribution, E.L.P’s seminal piece Fanfare for the Common Man, the music and night was driven up a notch.

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

(146 words, estimated 35 secs reading time)

Megadeth, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

Despite an early curfew, and following on from two support bands, Megadeth stormed through one of the tightest and visually perfect sets to have graced the Carling Academy in a long time.

Opening the set with Sleepwalker from last year’s release United Abominations, and Wake Up Dead from the classic album Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying?, Megadeth proved the old adage that less is most definitely more by just letting the guitars do all the talking.

Megadeth, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham. full post

(166 words, estimated 40 secs reading time)

Marillion, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. December 2007.

With their fifteenth studio album not due till next year, Marillion might have felt they took a big gamble by touring so close to Christmas, they need not have worried.

By playing a set list that had something for everybody, from 1989 up to the present day, the band left a near-capacity crowd content and full of pre-Christmas cheer. A truly eclectic evening was kicked off by Bridge and Living With The Big Lie form their 1994 critically acclaimed album Brave.

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

(185 words, estimated 44 secs reading time)

Thunder, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2007.

One thing you can guarantee at a Thunder gig is that you will be joined by some of the most vocal and dedicated fans in rock today.

By opening the set with Dirty Dream from last year’s Robert Johnson’s Tombstone album and the excellent Last Man Standing Thunder set their stall out to entertain.

They continued to huge applause from a capacity crowd with The Devil Made Me Do It and the love song I’ll Be Waiting.

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

(185 words, estimated 44 secs reading time)

Magnum, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

 

Whenever Magnum return home to the Midlands you are assured a gig to remember, one full of pomp , incredible guitar work and lyrics that stand the test of time.

Opening the first set with When We Were Younger from the latest album Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow, Magnum pulled out all the stops to thrill a capacity crowd. The audience greeted every song enthusiastically, including the seminal Les Mort Dansant, All England’s Eyes and the whole of the album Wings of Heaven, which was being recorded live to mark its 20th anniversary.

Magnum, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham. full post

(148 words, estimated 36 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)

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)