Album Reviews View More
Various Artists – Musik Music Musique 1979: The Roots Of Synth Pop
Synth pop has been the soundtrack for much of my adult life. From electronic beats underlying the dance clubs of the eighties to the current day output of Taylor Swift, synthesizers have been an inescapable part of the music scene.…
Various Artists – CBGB & OMFUG: A New York City Soundtrack 1975-1986
CBGB, located in what was at the time one of the least desirable parts of New York City, could barely aspire to divedom. It was a sleazy, tiny and filthy bar in a city that was spiraling down the toilet.…
Jan Akkerman – My Focus: Live Under The Rainbow
To me live albums sit firmly in two camps. They can be towering stamps in the annals of music demonstrating how good a band was at a particular time. Think Live at Leeds by the Who, Seconds Out by Genesis…
Various Artists – Steppin’ Out: The Roots Of Garage Rock 1963-1965
I have to start with the context for this compilation, given that Strawberry / Cherry Red Records have already built up a collection of releases covering this period of American music history. This set, a 94-track companion volume being a…
Lazuli – Être Et Ne Plus Être
Douze (Twelve) apparently wasn’t meant to be. In my report on Lazuli’s October 2024 show, I jokingly floated it as the likely title for the French prog rockers’ next album, a natural follow‑up to Onze (Eleven). But that’s not the…
A Different Aspect (ADA) View More
A Different Aspect #99
Featured artists: Lite | Lari Basilio | Joy Shannon | Steve Blanco Four bite-sized reviews taking a snapshot of just some of the 2025 albums and EPs to land at TPA over the past few months… • Lite – The…
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 –…
Concert Reviews View More
Sad Café
Wrecking Ball, Hull Friday, 13th February 2026 Frequently, when talking about contemporary bands, I have said that if they had been around in earlier musical periods, they would have been massive. Personality, talent and powerful music, just in the wrong…
Spock’s Beard
Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL] Saturday, 7th February 2026 American prog quintet Spock’s Beard returned to De Boerderij after an eight-year absence. The last time they played here, it was as part of a double bill with Sweden’s Flower Kings. Now,…
Martin Barre Band
The Exchange 1856, North Shields Friday, 31st January 2026 I will be the first to admit that I went to a lot of concerts last year and I already have a long list of names that I will be seeing…
Pete Roth Trio
The Forum, Darlington: Tuesday, 27th January 2026 Seven Arts, Leeds: Thursday 29th January 2026 For bands that are not always familiar to the average Progger, and their albums are not taking up space on their shelves, it is often the…
John Hackett Band / Dikajee
The Forum, Darlington Friday, 28th November 2025 Yes, before any of you go out of your way to point out that I have already reviewed both artists in April ’25 and mentioned the JHB in a festival review, I will…
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…
Interviews View More
Clare Lindley – Big Big Train
Sometimes you know before the conversation even begins that it’s not going to be a standard interview. Clare Lindley is one such person. A violinist, singer, composer, rock climber, and a fixture within Big Big Train (BBT) for several years…
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…