Tag Archives: Liverpool

The Undertones, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

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

The year 1979 may be remembered for many things, Pink Floyd’s eponymous album The Wall was released, Britain struggled to get going again after the winter of discontent and the political aftermath that followed and in Derry, Northern Ireland a group of lads released one of the finest debut albums ever recorded.

The Undertones have been quite rightly lauded by the likes of radio legend John Peel who famously loved Teenage Kicks so much that it made him cry and many bands and critics have praised the Undertones for their Punk/Rock feel and grasp of the eloquent use of the English language.

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

(418 words, 1 image, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

The Real People, Gig Review. The Cavern, Liverpool.

 

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 22nd 2011.

If pushed for an answer, where would you say that Britpop started? Some will stand and yell Oasis till they are blue in the face; others will cite the works of Blur and the talent that is in no doubt in the shape of Damon Albarn, Graham Coxen, Alex James and Dave Rowntree. If pushed a little harder there are those that would even declare that without Pulp, the other two wouldn’t matter and for certain Jarvis Cocker has his moments; however to anybody in Liverpool you only have one answer that has to be The Real People.

The Real People, Gig Review. The Cavern, Liverpool. full post

(477 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

The Icicle Works, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 30th 2011.

Ian McNabb is one of those Liverpool musicians that demands the affection of Liverpool audiences, from his days as one of three men to give the Liverpool Rock movement a timely boost in the form of the Icicle Works to his solo output which has thrilled his legions of fans and given Ian the status of one of Liverpool’s favourite sons.

The Icicle Works, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(419 words, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)

Macbeth, The Everyman Theatre, Liverpool. Theatre Review.

L. S. Media Rating: *****

Cast: David Morrissey, Julia Ford, Mark Arends, Ken Bradshaw, Richard Bremner, Neil Caple, Matthew Flynn, Gillian Kearney, Syrus Lowe, Gavin Marshall, Shaun Mason, Nathen McMullen, Eileen O’Brien.

It may not have been an easy process taking one of the great works by William Shakespeare, however in Macbeth, David Morrissey, Julia Ford and Gemma Bodinetz and all those that make up the team at the Everyman Theatre, the Liverpool public put their collective trust in the final big scale performance that will be held at this iconic Liverpool theatre before the extensive redevelopment that’s due to start.

Macbeth, The Everyman Theatre, Liverpool. Theatre Review. full post

(447 words, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)

The Big Fellah, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool.

picture from Liverpool Live.

Cast: Finbar Lynch, Luke Griffen, David Ricardo-Pearce, Yasmine Akram,Youssef Kerkour, Lisa Kerr, David Rintoul.

Following on from last year’s highly intelligent and well worked play The Chronicles of Long Kesh that dealt with those imprisoned during the troubles in Ireland comes Playwright Richard Bean’s The Big Fellah, a strong and powerful play takes a long term look at the I.R.A. and the fall out between a group of people across 30 years in New York.

The Big Fellah, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(359 words, 1 image, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)

Mike and the Mechanics. Gig Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Mike and the Mechanics. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. May 22nd 2011.

Mike and the Mechanics have been away a long time. At one time the band was the epitome of good music, thoughtful, creatively intelligent lyrics that would make the heart ache and the soul sing. Now seven years after the last album Rewired, they can officially be thought of being back to their best and amongst the highlights of the AOR scene to come to Liverpool this year.

Mike and the Mechanics. Gig Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(399 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

The Alarm, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. May 25th 2011.

For the second time in the space of six months Mike Peters strode onto the Liverpool Academy stage and wowed a crowd that for all intent purposes takes him to their heart as if he was from L1 and not from Prestatyn.

Back in January it was as lead vocalist for the reformed Big Country of which Mike was an avid fan and who was especially proud to front on the night as an invited guest for the much missed Stuart Adamson. On his return a few months later it was with his own band and one of the finest to come out of North Wales, The Alarm.

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

(409 words, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)

Richard Marx, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Richard Marx at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

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

Richard Marx is rightly considered one of the best examples of American contemporary Rock, his records are much loved by his legion of fans and his in so much demand that he writes and produces music for a multitude of other acts who clamour to be aligned with him. However he doesn’t tour this side of the Atlantic that often, and it’s a great shame as he treats his audience like old friends and always has time for them. That thankfully was put right as he bounced on stage at the Philharmonic Hall to applause that’s usually reserved for the likes of Jon Anderson.

Richard Marx, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(516 words, 1 image, estimated 2:04 mins reading time)

If The Shoe Fits, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 10th 2011.

Cast: Donna Lesley Price, Richie Grice, Jodie Nesbitt, Angela Waller, Su Burke, Trevor Fleming, James Williams-Watts, Al T Kossy.

In amongst the high profile theatre productions going on in Liverpool over the next couple of months, one piece of genuine theatre may have passed the everyday theatre goer by, which is, with all things considered, a shame. For in Boom Boom Baby Productions of If the Shoe Fits, audiences were left reeling with laughter as the company thrilled everyone with their irreverent look at Liverpool life through the eyes of a group of people who work in a high class shoe shop.

If The Shoe Fits, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(340 words, 1 image, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

Les McKeown’s Legendary Bay City Rollers. Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

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

For their legendary fans, The Bay City Rollers were a phenomenon without equal, their unique tartan look and boyish appeal made them every teenage girl’s favourite band and scenes of them at gigs have long stayed in the memory of those either lucky enough to get tickets to their concerts or to the multitude that waited long after the final note just to see them and revel for a moment in their passion and glory.

Les McKeown’s Legendary Bay City Rollers. Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(398 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)