Tag Archives: Liverpool

Beachy Head, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 16th 2011.

Cast: Sarah Belcher, Dan Ford, Katie Lightfoot, Matt Tate, Neal Craig.

There is only one way to describe Analogue’s production of Beachy Head and that is shockingly powerful, a play that will have audiences leaving the theatre having their perceptions changed about the way we look at the way someone takes their own life.

The Unity Theatre once more played perfect host to a troupe of actors and a story that is swept under the carpet and not discussed openly in any home. The intimacy of the stage reflecting perfectly how the main character of Stephen Mitchell, played with stunning grace by Dan Ford, and his story, as told initially by the other actors on the stage.

Beachy Head, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(389 words, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

The Levellers, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool.

otograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. March 4th 2011.

In the space of five days The Liverpool Academy plays host to three bands that symbolise the desire and want for change that permeates through the news in these austere times. With Liverpool’s own Amsterdam playing on the Saturday and then one of the finest bands to ever step foot on a stage, The Stranglers, on Tuesday, there couldn’t have been a better band to open up this three day mini spectacular than The Levellers.

The Levellers, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(374 words, 1 image, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

Amsterdam, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. March 7th 2011.

Once Ian Prowse gets going there is very little that anyone can do to stop him, he has proved it time and time again with his band Amsterdam and before this as member of the now legendary Liverpool band Pele. In 1992, Pele released their debut album Fireworks. A generation has come and gone without hearing this album in full and it was fitting that Ian and Amsterdam gave one of the performances of their career.

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

(397 words, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

The Wonderstuff, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

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

The Wonderstuff have ploughed a trough so few bands have been able to emulate, let alone follow. With so few peers to have come from the area of formation, notably Pop Will Eat itself and to an extent Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, it is no wonder that Miles Hunt and the original members of the band carved a huge niche in the Midlands.

In 2010 the established new version of the band toured to critical success alongside Liverpool based Amsterdam, now it seems the band are hungry for more of the same.

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

(340 words, 1 image, estimated 1:22 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)

12. Theatre Review. The Lantern Theatre, Liverpool.

The Cast of the 12 at The Lantern Theatre, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. August 24th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ****

Cast: Shaun Fagan, Morgan McBride, Nick Crosbie, Jamie Vere, Robbie Locke, Bob Schofield, Owen Jones, Josh Quigley, Josh Hughes, Bradley Walker, Paul Holliday, Sophie Eves.

Transferring a 1950’s Henry Fonda classic film to the unsympathetic existence of 21st century Liverpool takes some imagination and a lot of writing talent to give it the grim reality that post war Hollywood films sometimes glossed over. With Shaun Fagan and Matthew Shiel at the helm of 12, the latest play to be performed at The Lantern Theatre, this was more than was ever needed to show how good writing can shine through no matter how unattractive and prejudicial the story line is.

12. Theatre Review. The Lantern Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(431 words, 1 image, estimated 1:43 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)

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)