Tag Archives: Liverpool

Steve Hogarth, Gig Review. St. Brides Church, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. December 20th 2008.

Even with Elton John in town and providing what many would consider to be the main draw of the night down at the Albert Dock, those that attended Steve Hogarth’s “H” natural evening were treated to a night of fine music in the excellent venue of St Brides Church.

Steve Hogarth came down through the side aisle to thunderous applause from the packed out audience and proceeded to play songs from his Marillion career, favourite songs that have inspired him, a story from his days in How we live, requests from the audience and the odd Beatles track!

Steve Hogarth, Gig Review. St. Brides Church, Liverpool. full post

(469 words, estimated 1:53 mins reading time)

The Rats, Gig Review. Baby Blue, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 12th 2009.

Back in August of last year, two of the original members (Simon Crowe and Garry Roberts) of the Boomtown Rats got together with Peter Barton and Darren Beale to play their first full gig as The Rats at the Bilston Robin. It was a night that didn’t disappoint. Six months down the line and the band, if anything, have got tighter and an awful lot of the old magic was in evidence for the audience to see.

The Rats, Gig Review. Baby Blue, Liverpool. full post

(464 words, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

Eric Clapton, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. May 14th 2009.

With over fifty years of experience of playing on stage and a song book that most bands would kill for, it is with no small wonder that Eric Clapton still manages to make the art of playing guitar look so incredibly simple. Even appearing on stage to no fanfare and looking more dishevelled than a tumble dryer full of wet clothes, he still manages to look the coolest man in the world.

Eric Clapton, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool. full post

(344 words, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

War Of The Worlds Musical By Jeff Wayne. Theatre/Musical Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 15th 2009.

Cast;  The voice of Richard Burton, Shannon Noll, Justin Hayward, Chris Thompson,  Anna-Marie Wayne.

“No one would have believed…”

…that thirty years ago an album would come out that blew its initial budget within weeks of starting recording. An album that used some of the greatest musical talent ever and one of the most iconic and greatest of British actors to grace stage and screen. An album that was based upon the book by the “father of science fiction” H. G Wells!

War Of The Worlds Musical By Jeff Wayne. Theatre/Musical Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool. full post

(606 words, estimated 2:25 mins reading time)

Hippy’s On The Hill, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 23rd 2009.

From time to time if you are lucky, you get to see a young band on stage who just simply blow you away. Sometimes you think they might be a flash in the pan, that you just got fortunate enough to catch them on a good night. Not so with Hippy’s on the Hill.

These four local lads have got talent by the bucket load and an attitude that is refreshing and unexpected, especially when you see that that the average age of the foursome is just 16.

Hippy’s On The Hill, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(244 words, estimated 59 secs reading time)

Idlewild, Gig Review. O2 Academy, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. July 6th 2009.

Another band to make this years Summer Pops is Idlewild, with six studio albums already behind them and a recording history of over 10 years, Idlewild took the brave decision to play a city that they don’t traditionally do well in, especially when you compare the fan base nationally.

The lads from Scotland opened the set with I Don’t Have a Map from 100 Broken Windows and the bouncy In Competition for the Worst Time from the 2007 studio album Make Another World before showcasing one of the new songs from the soon to be released studio album Post Electric Blues, the very enjoyable City Hall.

Idlewild, Gig Review. O2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(348 words, 1 image, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

Jon Anderson, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. August 4th 2009.

After a much publicised health scare, in which he nearly lost his life, Jon Anderson has taken the first tentative steps back to touring and recording. The Lancashire born entertainer shows a lot more of his spiritual side these days as he looked less tense and more happy with himself and his long admired vocal ability.

Coming on stage to some of the loudest applause the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool has seen for a one man show, Jon seemed surprised to see so many people there to hear him play. The audience knew that there might be a few awkward moments for Jon as he readily admits to not having been able to sing whilst recuperating but from the off everybody was on his side.

Jon Anderson, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

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

Bugsy Malone, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S.Media. August 7th 2009.

It is testament to the Liverpool Empire Stage Experience that a musical of this calibre is not only performed by the children of the area but it is done well and with more than a sense of style. From the moment you arrived at the Theatre you were greeted with the sight of the period costume from the Twenties and a fine Rolls Royce parked up upon the pavement.

This production took in over 120 children and all performed admirably and had the packed out audience in the palms of their hands from the opening number.

Bugsy Malone, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(417 words, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

Annie, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 8th 2009.

Cast: Lydia Tunstall, Su Pollard, Michael Morgan, Chris Molloy, James Muller, Gemma James, Gareth Heesom, Simone Craddock, Lorinda King.

A story about an orphaned girl, the depression, 1930’s American society and the undercurrent of child beating doesn’t spring to mind the plot of a heart warming musical that combines some of theatre’s best known songs with some feisty one liners and cheekiness, but in the hands of director Roger Hannah and produces Chris Moreno this classic of film and theatre has been given new life.

Annie, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(312 words, estimated 1:15 mins reading time)

Marseille, Gig Review. The Cavern, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D.Hall

Originally published by L.S.Media. September 11th 2009.

Twenty five years after Marseille last played the Cavern, the band made a triumphant return and rolled away the void that had been created when they decided to call it a day. A band that in all honesty should never have been allowed to fade away.

Some people might find it hard to believe that this was a band that was at the forefront of the start of the genre of The New Wave of British Heavy Metal and enjoyed much success, touring with some of the biggest names around and winning the first coveted battle of the bands competition.

Marseille, Gig Review. The Cavern, Liverpool. full post

(392 words, 1 image, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)