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The name of Frankie Goes To Hollywood still resonates down through the decades. From the band’s early days as the emerging Liverpool act to true world domination and the all too quick days that followed after the five men went their separate ways and the band was no more, every snippet of information is digested by their loyal fans.
photograph by Ian D. Hall
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
When the Wicked Whispers play their music on stage, the most advisable thing to do is stand back, close your eyes and wallow in the excellent atmosphere and dream of more halcyon days.
One of the most unique bands to have come from the Liverpool area, the Wicked Whispers, have just finished a tour that has taken in London and Newcastle and now the group have come back home to show just exactly why the word is spreading beyond the confines of the home of popular music.
Fiona Skelly, part of The Sundowners. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
If you only remember one thing about 2012, consider this for as long as it takes, that the music of Liverpool has once again become a powerhouse, a powder keg of new bands that have come along and reminded music lovers of the city that there is much talent out there ready to be heard. Add to this the phenomenal and unbelievable aptitude that lies at the heart of The Sundowners.
Glenn Gregory providing Temptation at the o2 Academy, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by Liverpool Live. October 2012.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
For Heaven 17’s remaining members, to come out on tour and perform the whole of their colossal 1983 hit album, The Luxury Gap, must be a double edged sword. One of the biggest, boldest and outstandingly self-confident albums to come out the Steel city for many years, it deserves to be played in its entirety and there would be no dissenters to this fact.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Add a dash of the exotic and mysterious Faroe Islands to a band and already the thought of the type of music you might expect from one of the young groups in the city of Liverpool creating a huge amount of talk, the exceptionally good Clean Cut Kid, and you have a group worthy of taking a huge interest in.
Clean Cut Kid are Jake Ford, Tom Ashbrook, Oliver Hardakre, Michael Halls and Greta Svabo Bech and together they appeared on stage at Leaf ready to win over a new audience and spread the ever growing word on their excellent music.
Jez Wing at Leaf. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Jez Wing may have been out of the live music scene in Liverpool for a while now but that should never stop talent, in any shape or form making an impact on a crowd. When you have the aptitude of Jez Wing it is a shame to let it go to waste and thankfully for the music lovers in the city, he chose the perfect time to bring his superb music back to Leaf and a welcoming crowd.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
There is fission of excitement that sparkles wildly when a music lover read down a list of bands names that are due to play at a gig they attend that is almost unique in the world of music. From the early 70s when great progressive rock bands of the time thrilled audiences with names that seemed positively futuristic, it seems that a name can carry hope and an awful lot of symbolism.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
One of the signs of a band having something about them, the spark of creativity that will stand them in good stead in years to come, is being able to perform at the drop of a hat and surprise an audience by being an unlisted addition; it is how you conduct yourself as a group at the very beginning that sets the seal on how you will be seen later on in your career.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Richard Herring is comedian whose look on life and complete honesty in his view and comedy may upset a small selection of the public but the man certainly knows how to make people laugh and judging by the cross section of society in the Epstein Theatre, he pretty much knows that Liverpool people understand him and love what he says.
The thought of the last taboo of British comedy may not be for everyone. His talented interested and intellectual approach to the thoughts of what make men and their best friend tick in his sell out show Talking C**k bordered upon the insanely genius and entertainingly superb.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Paul Straws might not be a name that the vast majority of music listeners in Liverpool and the surrounding area are aware of just yet but with his impish grin and delectable guitar playing, it won’t be too long before the music lovers of the city catch him somewhere.
Coming on stage at Leaf can be pretty daunting. It’s not a large area for sure but its close knit proximity to the audience means that there is nowhere to hide for someone who is anyway self-conscious or worse self-absorbed.