Tag Archives: Liverpool

Midge Ure, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

It might feel as if you are living in the worst of times, the 2016 American Presidential race has descended arguably into a farce, the world is teetering on the edge once more of red buttons being nervously shifted over and citizens wondering just how far the leaders of the nations would go to cut off their nose to spite everybody else’s faces…it does make you speculate and question the validity of humanity’s reign on Earth, it raises doubts on the future; however, in the midst of it all, there is always the fact that you have lived in a time which was honoured to have Midge Ure performing his music in.

Midge Ure, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

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

Inferno, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 5/10

Cast: Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Ben Foster, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Ana Ularu, Irrfan Khan, Omar Sy, Ida Darvish.

If there was ever an example in the world of cinema of a truly superb idea being driven down the wrong street then unfortunately Inferno would have to be one of the most disappointing examples of them all.

Inferno, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool. full post

(434 words, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

Nickelback, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The gaze of the music lover as they stare into the image, the dramatic pose of the Rock musician as they ply their trade on stage may leave some baffled, bemused by the adoration and respect dished out as songs about sex, abandonment, alcohol and heroism are played out before an arena’s audience; no band perhaps has caused that bemusement more to manifest in the eyes of eyes of a large percentage of the population than Nickelback.

Nickelback, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool. full post

(511 words, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)

Gary Puckett, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

When an international star makes their debut appearance in the city it is the duty of all who profess to love music to get to the venue and bathe in the splendour of the moment; especially when that star has been credited as one of Elvis’ favourites and who has thrilled millions for decades.

Gary Puckett, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(481 words, estimated 1:55 mins reading time)

P.J. Proby, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Such is the hypocrisy embedded in the national psyche that it allowed the dichotomy of the 60s to be one where the flowering of the nation started to really take great strides forward in terms of art and enjoyment but it allowed the self appointed harbingers of supposed moral supremacy to flourish unchecked and take down those they found to be objectionable; it is always a pleasure therefore surely to watch a singer who upset the blue rinse guardian Mary Whitehouse.

P.J. Proby, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(432 words, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

Brian Poole And The Tremeloes, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

In a world that is slowly being preserved in amber, from a period when a hit single truly meant something and was as precious as a polished gem, to have three members of the same band not only on stage and singing with the serenity of a bird that is free to look down from edge of space and see nothing but the Universe’s wide mouth expectation above it, but also doing it with ease, friendliness and smiles, it is enough to give hope to an audience that has seen so many of its traditions fall aside and be swept away by the modern age.

Brian Poole And The Tremeloes, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(405 words, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)

Wayne Fontana, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There are moments that you are sure that music will live forever, it might change, it could evolve, the cycle of what is sexy and what is indescribable nonsense will change, it will revolve and switch across the generations and the genres but one thing is undeniable, that great music that defined the beat of a generation, that a voice that can make a person swoon and another’s heart race faster even after 50 years is apt to be a bit special.

Wayne Fontana, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

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

Our Will, Theatre Review. The Black-E, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Adam Mohoney, Kerry Wells, Emily Darley, John Rand, Ben Small, Dawn Geary, George Goetzee, Sue Fawkes, Glyn Edwards.

It is not always about what is perceived to go on within the confines of a stage that makes a particular stand out memory for those honoured enough to see it or take time out of their lives to watch it, it is the knowledge of how deeply personal it is to the cast and how incredibly hard they have worked in overwhelming circumstances to make it happen, the sheer will, the graft and the pleasure, it can only be a case of Our Will against those who fight against such positivity.

Our Will, Theatre Review. The Black-E, Liverpool. full post

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

Father O’ Flaherty Saves Our Souls, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Clare Bowles, Helen Carter, Paul Duckworth, Alan Stocks, Keddy Sutton.

An outpouring of respect should be shown to an actor who puts their life in the hands of an audience to the extent that their own inner thoughts, their own passionate affair with the boards and with language become so consuming that they write a play off their own back and present it to a crowd, ever hungry, ever in need of a new production to hold close to their hearts, and feel the sweat and possible damnation coming off the rehearsal floor for.

Father O’ Flaherty Saves Our Souls, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool. full post

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

Spine, Theatre Review. Playhouse Studio, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Rosie Wyatt.

It is the mantra of the age, everything has its price and everything is for sale. This diabolical hymn somehow has managed to include the voice of the angry teenager and the most ingenious of weapons, the written word, it somehow had diminished both to the same level of inconsequence, of being nothing more than the leftover in the three for a fiver bin or the silenced dream of the less than irritated willing to put on a tie and a suit and become a nodding dog filled with false outrage.

Spine, Theatre Review. Playhouse Studio, Liverpool. full post

(459 words, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)