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…
Album Reviews View More
Fucked Up – Grass Can Move Stones Part 1: On Earth – Year Of The Goat
You know that thing where you’re trawling through end of year “Best of” lists, and listening to samples of things that catch your eye/ear? And how sometimes something new to you will make you sit up and take notice? Inevitably…
Textures – Genotype
My wife, Konnie, and I originally encountered Dutch band Textures at our first Be Prog! My Friend festival, when they performed live on 2nd July 2016, at Poble Espanyol in Barcelona. At the time we were convinced by a group…
Steve Morse Band – Triangulation
It all started with Tommy Vance and the Friday Rock Show in the late 70’s, and its theme tune Take it off the Top by The Dixie Dregs. It was pretty much the only ‘rock’ music show on UK’s Radio…
Spock’s Beard – The Archaeoptimist
When Spock’s Beard keysman Ryo Okumoto teamed up with I Am The Manic Whale’s Michael Whiteman for the former’s 2022 solo album, The Myth Of The Mostrophus, it ended up as my favourite album of the year. Three years later,…
Spirergy – Wherever Forever
It is a wonderful feeling to start a new year with a great progressive rock album release, and Wherever Forever by Spirergy is certainly that. The project is the work of composer and multi-instrumentalist, Dave Allen, of Hoylake, on the…
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
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…
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…
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…