Album Reviews View More
Crack The Sky – Live 1st Album: 50th Anniversary
In 1975, the American band Crack The Sky (CTS) broke onto the music scene with their groundbreaking eponymous album, hailed by Rolling Stone Magazine named ‘Debut Album of the Year’. CTS seemed destined for great success, however success proved more…
MUMMY – The Lead Of Saturn Is Gold To The Wise
Partners in life and music, Jo Spratley and Bic Hayes snuck this album out in September with such a lack of fanfare that apart from those in the know, barely anyone registered its existence. The Lead Of Saturn Is Gold…
Retreat From Moscow – The Illusion Of Choice
Ever since childhood, two of my favourite pastimes have been losing myself in fictional worlds and exploring new music, so a contemporary band that can tell an enthralling musical story is potentially onto a winner. Retreat From Moscow’s 2022 debut,…
High Wire Act – To Risk Your Heart
High Wire Act accidentally formed in 2023 because of drumming. Having stepped in to rescue Tom Slatter with drums, Mike Orvis and Tom decided to make music together. The band, High Wire Act was the result, and To Risk Your…
Spirit – Sea Dream (4CD Expanded Edition)
Posthumous releases can be a mixed bag. Some are essential for true fans, and some seem rather more like barrel scraping. The newly expanded Sea Dream by legends Spirit is closer to the former, (though it couldn’t be described as…
A Different Aspect (ADA) View More
A Different Aspect #98
Featured artists: Edenya | Riffstone | Barend Tromp | Jonhatan Tenerini | Path Of Ilya Five bite-sized reviews taking a snapshot of just some of the recent albums to land at TPA over the past few months… • Edenya –…
A Different Aspect #97
Featured artists: Doris Brendel & Lee Dunham | Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira | This Winter Machine | Úna Quinn | Raphael Weinroth-Browne Five bite-sized reviews taking a snapshot of just some of the albums and EPs to land at…
Concert Reviews View More
Halestorm
O2 Arena, London Wednesday, 26th November 2025 Sometimes you go to a concert with quietly hopeful expectations, prepared for an enjoyable evening’s entertainment and the chance to hear a few of your favourite tunes. Then there are those rare evenings…
Tony Patterson and Doug Melbourne / Candacraig
St George’s Venue, Hartlepool Friday, 24th October, 2025 I think that I should start this review not with talk about the music, or bands, but with a brief discussion about the venue. But please indulge me as I think that,…
Paul McCartney
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA Tuesday, 11th November 2025 When we think about the Beatles, we tend to imagine the happy-go-lucky, mop-topped lads from Liverpool (please) pleasing multitudes of fans in packed-out stadiums or gallivanting through psychedelic adventures in a…
Hackney Prog Fest 2025
Signature Brew Haggerston, London Saturday, 8th November 2025 It is a brave promoter who decides to put on yet another prog festival in this already saturated prog fest calendar, but Jordan Harris of Signature Brew is that man, and kudos…
Peacock Freakshow
The Queens Bar & Coffee House, Bridlington Saturday, 9th August 2025 On looking up the acts, prior to the day, it all seemed to be such an eclectic line-up that I struggled to see a common thread and not all…
Steve Hackett
Warner Theatre, Washington, DC Sunday 26th October 2025 When I interviewed Steve Hackett two years ago after he announced his “Lamb Highlights” tour for late 2024, I never imagined I’d be catching the end of it in October 2025. Speaking…
NVRF 2025 – Day Four
Grimsthorpe Castle, Bourne Sunday, 7th September 2025 Sunday morning and, thanks to my age, I was beginning to feel the tiredness form the previous long and busy days of standing up at the concerts and running between stages so that…
ProgStock 2025
Williams Center, Rutherford, NJ Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th October 2025 Having returned to its original Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day weekend, ProgStock 2025 continues to grow in attendance. While the weather was chilly and, eventually, rainy outside, the mood inside was…
Interviews View More
NVRF 2025 – Day One
Grimsthorpe Castle, Bourne Thursday, 4th September 2025 Intro and first impressions… Despite this festival being in its third year I was still a virgin to Nene Valley Rock Festival. So, other than seeing a line up full of interesting bands,…
John Holden
Following TPA’s review of The Great Divide, multi-instrumentalist and composer John Holden kindly agreed to talk with Jane Lee where he elaborates on the artistic vision that has shaped his music. Jane Lee [JL]: Hi John. Thanks for agreeing to…
Des Tong – Sad Café and more…
At a time when, seemingly at least, Punk ruled the airwaves and snarling teenagers were saying naughty words on the TV – it looked like bands with talent were threatened with oblivion. Some carried on regardless, other bands folded, while some…
Michael Woodman
TPA’s Dann Chinn covers all bases in this long chat with Michael Woodman, who gives us the lowdown on his new album Hiss of Today, and much, much more besides… Dann Chinn (DC): Let’s talk about stories, Michael, and storytelling,…
Al Winter – This Winter Machine
For those of you who are unfamiliar with today’s guest, and his band, firstly shame on you, but secondly, let me introduce him to you. In 2016 Al Winter formed the award winning This Winter Machine and captured people’s attention…
Richard Larcombe – Lost Crowns
To tie in with the review of the new Lost Crowns album, The Heart Is In The Body, main man Richard Larcombe and I met up at the Restaurant At The End Of The Universe for a virtual lunch, and…