LIVE REVIEWS
Dave Stewart’s Eurythmics Songbook: Sweet Dreams 40th Anniversary — London Palladium
From left, Vanessa Amorosi, Dave Stewart, Indiara Sfair, Yasmin Ogilvie, and Julia Lamb perform 'I Love You Like a Ball and Chain' onstage at the London Palladium during Dave Stewart’s Eurythmics Songbook: Sweet Dreams 40th Anniversary on November 17, 2023....
American Express Presents BST Hyde Park 2022
As my friend and colleague, Kieran White entered the beautiful surroundings of Hyde Park on what felt like one of the hottest days of the year we knew that live music would not be in short supply. The last day of the festival was headlined by Birmingham’s Duran Duran...
Joe Bonamassa — Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom
Photo Credit: Zoran VeselinovicThis show was the penultimate gig on the UK leg of blues-rock guitarist and singer song-writer Joe Bonamassa’s UK 2022 tour and also formed part of the 150th Anniversary celebrations at the world-famous Royal Albert Hall in London. It...
Heather Small – ‘The Voice of M People’ with Special Guests Ooberfuse
It was fantastic to be back again at GLive in Guildford, Surrey after the lockdowns as it is one of my favourite local venues and always manages to provide a varied programme.
Bat For Lashes, February 2020, Town Hall, New York
My love for Bat for Lashes (Natasha Khan) started when I was 15. Since then I’ve had on my closet wall in my parent’s house (above my sewing machine, duh) a cut out from Noise Magazine with her profile. I loved what she had to say about her music in that article and...
Alan Clayson And The Argonauts, July 2019, Half Moon Putney, Putney, London, United Kingdom
This many years from their inception, this act could just be going through the motions in performance, becoming a kind of tribute act to themselves. However…the individual character of the ensemble and moreover its material imbues shows with an electricity that few veteran crews can match.
Cornbury Music Festival, July 2019, Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
So we drove up to the locality on the Friday evening with a view to experiencing some of the Saturday attractions.
Barclaycard Presents British Summertime (BST), July 2019, Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom
So it’s the Sunday of the first BST concert weekends and a bill headlined by US super diva Barbra Streisand
Morganway / Sirena Grace / Me & Deboe (Discovery Talent 2 Showcase), May 2019, 229 Club, London, United Kingdom
For some time I had been promising myself I would check out Norwich act Morganway, encouraged by their PR and management. Tonight is a show I can make – a tad steadily post my surgery – so I head to town and find a sofa.
Collateral, May 2019, The Borderline, London, United Kingdom
This was a significant performance for Collateral in the capital because only days before their set it was officially confirmed that due to the increasing London rents and the re-gentrification of Soho and the surrounding area with Crossrail et al the world-famous Borderline would be closing its doors for good at the end of August 2019.
Samantha Fish And Special Guests Curse of Lono, May 2019, The Garage, Islington, London, United Kingdom
On a mild May evening I made the journey to The Garage in Islington, London to attend Samantha Fish’s headline show as part of her 2019 UK and European tour with special guests and friends of JLTT Curse of Lono.
Joe Bonamassa, April 2019, Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom
On a mild April evening after the Easter weekend Joe Bonamassa and his first-class band rolled into the world-famous Royal Albert Hall for the first show in his three-night residency in the capital.
Blue Öyster Cult, February 2019, Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom
It happens that BOC had played in what Eric Bloom called ‘Norrr-Witch ‘ the previous evening and made aware that certain followers would be at both shows, the group opted to modify the setlist and bring in some substitute numbers.
Paul Jones And Friends, January 2019, GLive, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
“No pressure then!” remarks British blues rock guitarist Bernie Marsden walking onstage at GLive in Guildford as Sir Van Morrison walks the other way
2018 In Review
As usual, we take a look at the year’s happenings – or at least some of them – and bearing in mind that again we have lost many great people, not least dear friends during 2018.
The Pretty Things – ‘The Final Bow’, December 2018, Indigo @ The O2, Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
This was one hell of an event, with The Pretty Things scaling down on live shows but determined to make the show a very special show.
Erja Lyytinen Plus Special Guests, November 2018, The Borderline, London, United Kingdom
On an Autumnal November night I made my way across London to the famous club The Borderline for an evening of blues rock guitar from Erja Lyytinen who was in the country for a short headline UK Tour.
The Steve Miller Band (Bluesfest London 2018), October 2018, The O2 Arena, Greenwich, United Kingdom
Returning once again at The O2 Arena in Greenwich, London, United Kingdom the annual Bluesfest kicked off the four-night run of shows on a Thursday during the October Half-Term.
Dionne Warwick With Orchestral Accompaniment And Special Guest Jon Allen, September 2018, Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom
The singer stares out at us from the stage with a stern expression. We have not quite got the mass chorale right on the refrain of What The World Needs Now…and we are going to have to up our game.
Cornbury Music Festival 2018, July 2018, Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A phoenix-style return to love for 2018 – and beyond – found us Cornbury fans trekking back to the middle of nowhere (aka the Tews) for more music and entertainment . And some winceworthy ‘comedy’..It’s quite Ok driving around this area in the day and we found the signposting somewhat better this year. At night, driving around is hideous, for a stranger to the area. Whatever the expenditure on facilities in this neck of the woods, it sure ain’t going on lighting!
Rick Astley ‘Beautiful Life’ Album Launch Show, July 2018, All Saints Church, Kingston, United Kingdom
Rick Astley ‘Beautiful Life’ Album Launch Show Thursday 12th July 2018 All Saints Church, Kingston, United Kingdom Supplied By Artist On a hot July summer evening in Kingston the streets and surrounding shops seemed to be fairly quiet. However, the same was not to be...
Eric Bibb Plus Special Guest Felicia Neilsen, May 2018, Savoy Theatre, London, United Kingdom
Taking the stage solo at first and rolling into the vintage blues Going Down Slow, Bibb is soon joined by a multi-instrumental stringed instrument player, a bassist and a lively drummer, then treating the audience to some hard edged material and some softer sunshine stuff. And all parts in between.
Beth Hart With Special Guest Davy Watson, May 2018, Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom
Beth Hart with Special Guest Davy Watson Friday 4th May 2018 Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom Christie Goodwin From this very stage less than two weeks ago, the Royal Family and similarly packed house were bombarded with jollity in the form of Frank Skinner,...
Ladies Of The Blues, March 2018, Under The Bridge, Stamford Bridge, London, United Kingdom
This was the place to be in London tonight, for fans of blues and roots music. Mostly the audience heard men playing BUT each of the three acts was of course fronted by a female artist with something to say and the voice and chops to deliver it.
Finbar Furey, April 2018, Islington Assembly Hall, Islington, London, United Kingdom
It isn’t often – and for this audience not nearly often enough – that Irish singer-songwriter Furey plays live in London. When he and his three accompanists take the stage dead on time at 8 pm, a wave of warm applause erupts.
Mary Spender, March 2018, The Borderline, London, United Kingdom
I first came across Mary Spender on YouTube (like a lot of her following) and was impressed by not only her guitar skills but also her warm vocals which sound very familiar.
Stone Broken with Special Guests Jared James Nichols and The Bad Flowers, February 2018, Islington Assembly Hall, London, United Kingdom
It’s a cold night in North London and a throng of rock fans are outside the venue, awaiting completion of soundchecks and entry. The headline band are just back from dinner, heading back into the hall and responding to calls of greeting, the four walk straight over to the punters and happily pose for photographs and chat before going inside.
Live Dead 69′ Performing ‘Skull and Roses 71’, February 2018, Under The Bridge, London, United Kingdom
Back in London for two nights at Under The Bridge, the Live Dead ensemble led by one-time Grateful Dead keyboard genius Tom Constanten, the group is featuring different album programmes over the Friday and Saturday nights.
Atomic Rooster With Special Guests Creedence Clearwater Revived, January 2018, Under The Bridge, London, United Kingdom
It really is great to have this Atomic Rooster lineup on the boards and sounding as fine as this ensemble did tonight.
Laurence Jones, January 2018, The Borderline, London, United Kingdom
Album launch time! I had met up with Laurence again for a chat at The Heights in town a few days before this show and it was clear that he could hardly wait to get the promotional tour for the new album The Truth under way.
King King With Special Guest Rhino’s Revenge, January 2018, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London, United Kingdom
It’s been a rocky road for King King in recent times. Led by one of the recently unlucky Nimmo brothers, Alan, the last few months have seen a change of keyboard player from Bob Fridzema to Jonny Dyke but of more concern to us followers persistent throat /vocal problems that Alan has struggled to counter.
An Evening With Chevy Chase, January 2018, Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom
The ‘An Evening With’ concept is not a new idea but it has been used with many people from various walks of life; comedians, radio presenters, politicians, musicians and film stars. The idea of being in intimate surroundings with an individual you admire, respect and enjoy is something that appeals to many people.
Black Country Communion, January 2018, Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom
It’s a cold, wet evening in the metropolis, but what a cool way to start the New Year! The reassembled international rock quartet take to the stage in London to present a lot of the new BCC4 album plus other selections.
2017 In Review
Maybe it is because we know about them, but yet again this year we seem to have lost so many creative and entertaining characters. And yet again we can be inspired to remember them and keep their music alive…
Hue & Cry with Special Guest Olly Flavell, November 2017, Islington Assembly Hall, Islington, London, United Kingdom
Seeing Hue & Cry in a live performance underlines many things, not least the high quality of their new album material.
Bluesfest Presents Jack Savoretti, October 2017, Indigo at The O2, Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
On the Friday evening before Halloween, we travelled to the entertainment complex known as The O2 Arena to see a headline concert by singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti who has recently re-released a deluxe edition of his latest album ‘Sleep No More’.
Matt Andersen, May 2017, The Borderline, London, United Kingdom
In the year 2017 new music is never far away. In a world with downloading, CDs, vinyl, YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, instant grat tracks any person in the world can access new sounds for their listening pleasure with just an internet connection and an open-minded approach.
Brent Cobb with special guest Colter Wall, May 2017, The Borderline, London, United Kingdom
Country music and Americana is a genre that has worldwide universal appeal and in the past five years has really travelled throughout the UK. The annual Country 2 Country Festival (or C2C for short) takes place in London and Scotland now and has increased in size with more festival days, more acts and more venues being utilised for performance space.
Doyle Bramhall II with special guest Jon Allen, May 2017, Under The Bridge, Stamford Bridge, London, United Kingdom
This was a very special one-off UK headline performance by guitarist Doyle Bramhall II at the comfortable Under The Bridge club and music venue which is nestled under Stamford Bridge (Chelsea Football Stadium).
Dan Patlansky with Special Guest Ash Wilson, May 2017, O2 Academy 2 Islington, Islington, London, United Kingdom
If you enjoy listening to guitar soaked blues rock and were in London on a mild spring evening in May than this headline show by South African axeman Dan Patlansky with Lincolnshire’s Ash Wilson as special guest must have been tempting.
Joe Bonamassa, April 2017, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom
As I approached the beautiful building The Royal Albert Hall in the heart of Kensington, it became clear that I wasn’t at one of the Proms as large groups of people wearing Joe Bonamassa t-shirts from previous tours descended on this hallowed ground.
Rhys Williams Album Launch, March 2017, The Crowndale, Camden, London, United Kingdom
As I traveled to Mornington Crescent Tube station I was shocked at how difficult the journey was with delayed Tubes and the large numbers of people piling in and out of the lifts. I managed to arrive at The Crowndale in the nick of time to catch Rhys Williams full band live set.
Bluesfest London 2016, October 2016, O2 Arena, Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
So for the second year, the festival continues its tenure at the 02, which can be a balmy place on a good day and a windswept netherworld in poor weather. We are somewhere in the middle this weekend as regards climate. The 02 out at Greenwich and on the Thames is really a shopping mall with eateries galore and several performance halls.
King No One, December 2016, Boston Music Room, Tufnell Park, London, United Kingdom
Lount’s stage banter was friendly and humorous as he adopted ‘Excellent (ay)’ as his word of the evening before jumping onto the bass drum. ‘Never Wanna Let You Go’ was infectious pop at its best and proved that King No One would be a credible addition to the music programme at Reading & Leeds Festival 2017.
The Sisterhood with special guests Laura Oakes and Catherine McGrath, The Lexington, King’s Cross,London, United Kingdom
We had reasonably high hopes for this show as we set off on a cold night for London. What we didn’t know was that the was to be The Sisterhood’s first-ever London headline appearance or that this would turn out to be a highlight of the year.
Beth Hart, November 2016, Royal Festival Hall, London, United Kingdom
Beth sure draws a crowd to her shows. This particular performance was throughout so raw and fractured and open that it felt little short of an exorcism.There are no taboos or forbidden song subjects for Hart, she tells it like it is or was to tell her stories.
Billy Bragg & Joe Henry: Shine A Light, November 2016, G Live, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
On a chilly November evening, I travelled by train! – to one of my favourite venues G Live which is situated in the heart of Guildford for an evening with musicians and songwriters Billy Bragg and Joe Henry. The show was in support of their new album ‘Shine A Light: Field Recordings From The Great American Railroad’ which they’ve already toured in the USA during the 2016 American election season.
The Tom Browne Band – Single Launch – The Islington
The Tom Browne Band – Single Launch Friday 7th October 2016 The Islington, Angel, Islington, London, United Kingdom The Tom Browne Band are a lively four-piece from Guildford, Surrey who have recently released their new single ‘Regardless’ which is taken from the...
Under The Apple Tree Roots Festival, September 2016, Cadogan Hall, London, United Kingdom
Under The Apple Tree Roots Festival Saturday 10th September 2016 Cadogan Hall, London, United Kingdom John Bull/Rockrpix <script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><br /> <!-- tower --><br />...
Fatback Band with special guest Natasha Watts, September 2016, GLive, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
Fatback Band with special guest Natasha Watts Thursday 1st September 2016 GLive, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom Charlie Raven Photography <script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- Page Gen -->...
DNCE, August 2016, O2 Academy Islington, Islington, London, United Kingdom
DNCE Friday 19th August 2016 O2 Academy Islington, Islington, London, United Kingdom Kieran White/KWMEDIA <script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- Page Gen --> <ins class="adsbygoogle"...