Tag Archives: Gig Review

Jump, Gig Review. Alexanders Bar, Chester.

Originally published by L.S. Media. March 8th 2011.
To miss a band whilst they are touring the country can sometimes be unfortunate; to miss them for a couple of tours can be a seen as neglectful but to miss them when that group is the legendary Jump, it can be downright criminal.
The bands name might not roll of the tongue as memorable but if you ever saw them perform you would be a fan for life. Armed to the teeth with an arsenal of honest, intelligent and scathing songs the band have been playing live for the best part of two decades and have had the kudos of supporting some of the finest names in music including Fish, Marillion, The Blockheads and Midge Ure.
For a band with such pedigree behind them it is always refreshing to see them play in some of the smaller venues and in the intimacy of Alexanders in Chester they once more showed why their particular brand of rock has crossed the boundaries of the changing times and yet retained the dry, inherent wit that makes them such a good band to catch live.
Lead vocalist, John Dexter Jones , has always written deeply personal lyrics to the music created by his fellow members and in the opening track of the evenings small set was a favourite of a lot of Jump fans, the delightfully deep and sorrowful Bethesda from 2001’s On Impulse album
With new member Phil Mayhew on bass smiling his way through the set it was easily seen that the restorative power of adding a new member to the groups dynamic has enhanced the show. Phil played well alongside the established membership of guitarist Steve Hayes, keyboard player Mo, the very talented Andy Barker on drums and the youngest member of the group but none the less important, guitarist Steve “Ronnie” Rundle whose own playing just gets better and better as time goes by.
One of the great things about watching Jump live is watching the way Johns acts on stage, his actions to certain songs on such as tracks as A Man was Made and the brand new Kingston Corner Blues from the album The Beachcomber show his lyrics perfectly, with a raise of an eyebrow here and there he adds wonderful meaning to even the most innocent of lyrics.
The band ended a short but joyful set with the classic Free at Last, to which the appreciative crowd joined in with gusto.
Good to see this great British band touring the North West again and with any luck they will be back before their fans know it.
Ian D. Hall
Jump, Gig Review. Alexanders Bar, Chester. full post

(443 words, estimated 1:46 mins reading time)

The Stranglers, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

The Stranglers in Liverpool 2011. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. March 9th 2011.

If there’s one band that knows how to stir up passion for their no nonsense direct music then that band has to be The Stranglers. Even before the band came out on stage sections of the audience could be heard singing at full volume through a medley of some of the band’s greatest hits including the instrumental pieces of Waltz in Black to which the band came on stage to in the time honoured tradition.

The Stranglers, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(439 words, 1 image, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

Blancmange, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. March 11th 2011.

The audience greeted the long awaited return of 80’s Synth Pop superstars Blancmange to Liverpool with the kind of noise you’d expect at the Liverpool Echo. It may have been two decades since Neil Arthur stood in front of a Scouse crowd but Liverpool music fans have long memories and the recollections of being entertained by Blancmange have long been smiled at.

Blancmange, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(364 words, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Adam Ant, Gig Review. Warrington Parr Hall.

Adam Ant in concert at Warrington’s Parr Hall. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. August 26th 2011.

L.S. Media Rating *****

There’s nothing more gratifying than seeing a man personify the word cool. Steve McQueen had it, James Dean knew he radiated it, Johnny Depp oozes it and the man behind the persona of Adam Ant, Stuart Goddard, has it, lives it and breathes it. As Adam Ant stood listening to the crowd singing the words to his huge hit, Stand and Deliver, back to him at the Warrington Parr Hall, it was as if he had never been away. The king of pop punk was back in splendour.

Adam Ant, Gig Review. Warrington Parr Hall. full post

(551 words, 1 image, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)

The Trestles, Gig Review. The Casa, Hope Street, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. March 21st 2011.

There can’t have been a more important building on Saturday night than The Casa on Hope Street. In the last few years it has played host to some of the more important gigs to have taken place in this city, not least the much liked and influential folk/protest singer Alun Parry.

Stepping into the limelight and fast becoming part of the collective heart beat that keeps this city’s cognisant firmly in its place was the next generation, a Liverpool band that is here for more than just a reason, they will point the direction for the next ten years if we are fortunate.

The Trestles, Gig Review. The Casa, Hope Street, Liverpool. full post

(450 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash, Gig Review. Bilston Robin 2.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. March 27th 2011.

After last year’s important and mind blowing appearance at the High Voltage Festival in London, Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash have been busy preparing for yet another tour. After being well received so far, the band arrived on stage at the Robin in Bilston full of hope and a mission statement to entertain and enthrall the adoring crowd.

Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash, Gig Review. Bilston Robin 2. full post

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

Funeral For a Friend, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. March 29th 2011.

With five studio albums to their name, Funeral for a Friend can be considered at the top of the game right now when it comes to giving intimate, sweaty and fast tackling gigs. With a new studio album, Welcome Home Armageddon, not long released, fans of the Welsh band may have found it hard to get to grips with the direction the band have taken, but rest assured on stage, they are as cool, driven and manic as they ever were.

Funeral For a Friend, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(350 words, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

Mercury Midnight, Gig Review. The Masque, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 1st 2011.

There are a lot of bands around who take time to get back into their stride after taking a considerable long time off from touring, especially when they are young and hungry. However Mercury Midnight with only a couple of dates since last August’s superb performance at the o2 Academy in Liverpool quickly recaptured that evening’s vibe and strode confidently back to a very warm reception at the Masque.

Mercury Midnight, Gig Review. The Masque, Liverpool. full post

(347 words, 1 image, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

John Wesley, Gig Review. Brutopia. Crescent Street, Montreal.

John Wesley at Brutopia. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 13th 2011.

For those straying off the beaten track whilst attending the Marillion convention in Montreal would have been thrilled to see John Wesley performing at The Brutopia pub in Crescent Street. For his army of fans in Britain, the chances of catching Wes, as he is affectionately known, are rare, for those who had travelled from all over North America to catch the convention it was a case of less is more.

John Wesley, Gig Review. Brutopia. Crescent Street, Montreal. full post

(396 words, 1 image, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

Kate Nash, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool.

photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 5th 2011.

It’s been quite a while since Kate Nash played in Liverpool but on the strength of her audience that attended her show at the Stanley Theatre at the University of Liverpool, it may have only been last month since she parked her guitar and trademark keyboard on the stage, such was the excitement generated by the young songwriter.

Arriving on stage in a pastiche of one of her song titles Mariella, all dressed in black and looking mysterious and with two Mickey Mouse ears on for good measure, she produced a set of stunning quality and with just the right amount of social commentary thrown in to keep the crowd happy.

Kate Nash, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool. full post

(379 words, 1 image, estimated 1:31 mins reading time)