Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. April 1st 2010.
One of most prodigious bands to have made the long trek from the late sixties as jobbing musicians to international superstars made a welcome return to the Liverpool Philharmonic this week and wowed old and new fans alike with a set list full of tracks from an extensive and much loved back catalogue.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. April 17th 2010.
Although Siobhan Fahey has been around the music scene since the early eighties, (originally with the pop friendly girl group Bananarama and then with the critically successful Shakespears Sister), the opening night of the tour seemed like the start of new career for this artistically creative woman.
Coming on stage, dressed in a silver, futuristic sci-fi outfit, she wowed everybody present by producing one hell of a gig. Opening the set with the vocally strong Heroine and Goodbye Cruel World Siobhan banished any fears of how she would come across on stage by being enigmatic and a true performer in every sense of the word.
photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. April 21st 2010.
There are so many young talented bands currently doing the bars, clubs and smaller venues at the moment that you can easily get lost in the maze of angst ridden lyrics, fading, dashed dreams and get soaked in the sweat of hope and insecurity.
One such band that won’t have any of those problems is Brighton’s six piece, Sweet, Sweet Lies , whose very presence at Mojo’s dwarfed others who would have felt lost in the close confines of the narrow stage and proximity to the enthusiastic audience.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. April 24th 2010.
There is only one thing better than catching a band on top form for a gig and that is to see them at few venues during the tour and know for certain that the band have been on fire for the vast majority of it.
Idlewild played Liverpool during the Summer Pops last year and since then they have been busy recording and promoting the latest studio album Post Electric Blues. With that in mind, it is nothing less than stunning to see them play with such dedication to the music and to the audience, some who have travelled the country with them, never letting up on their devotion to arguably one of the finest bands to have survived the late nineties music scene.
Originally published by L.S. Media. April 26th 2010.
Perhaps it is appropriate that The Bad Shepherds are touring at the moment, for nobody would have possibly enjoyed the nod to creativity of The Bad Shepherds to folk up classic punk tracks than Malcolm Mclaren who sadly passed away earlier this month.
In salute to the man behind the Sex Pistols the band opened up an evening of skilful toned down music with the fitting song Anarchy in the U.K. and The Smiths’ lament Panic. There will be those that have never really been fans of The Smiths but to hear this particular song being played by the genius insanity that is Adrian Edmondson would have been a joy to behold.
The Alarm in Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. May 4th 2010
The last night of a tour is always quite emotional for any band, but for Mike Peters and the Alarm it is always special when they finish their tour in Liverpool. Mike has a lot of affection for this city and it comes through in a lot of the lyrics that the band has written over the years.
Hugh Cornwell in action. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. May 17th 2010.
One of the joys of travelling around the country to see musicians ply their trade is that sometimes you get to go to a completely new venue in a brand new city. For the first time as a fan of music I had the pleasure of visiting Gloucester Civic Hall to see Hugh Cornwell on his latest tour and I wasn’t disappointed by the venue or the man behind some of the iconic songs of his generation.
Steve Hogarth at the Cavern. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. May 17th 2010.
Steve Hogarth last entertained his loyal Liverpool fans nearly 18 months ago when he played at St Brides Church, a cold evening that was warmed up beautifully by Steve’s vocal talent and the joy and warmth that was felt by the audience.
Originally published by L.S. Media. May 30th 2010.
It’s hard to imagine a time when Steve Harley could ever be out of favour with the music establishment and not be received well by critics and some of the general public alike but the last few years has seen resurgence in the popularity of the man behind some of the most memorable songs of the seventies.
Originally published by L.S. Media. July 4th 2010.
With a career spanning over 4 decades, Robert Cray has carved himself a position as one of the best blues guitarist to come from America, his gentle on stage demeanour and apparent genuine love of making an audience happy comes across from the moment he picks up his guitar and plays his first note.
Robert was making only his second visit to Liverpool at the invitation of the Liverpool Summer Pops organisers and there are not many artists who could be a perfect choice to be one of the opening acts for this celebration of live music.