Back in 2022 I mentioned that it was ‘purely happenstance‘ that I’d stumbled across Lyle Workman’s excellent Uncommon Measures, released the previous year. Given the sheer quality of the music, compositions, arrangements and his fretboard mastery, I also remarked how…
You can glean a lot from listening to The Gates of Kybagrad, the two minute instrumental introductory track on Qisma. It’s widescreen cinematic style hints at a concept album, and you just know some prog metal power chords and riffage…
Le Orme (‘the footsteps’) is a seminal Italian progressive rock band founded in mid‑1960s Venice as a beat group. Along with Area, New Trolls, Premiata Forneria Marconi and Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, they represent the most important exponents of Rock…
One of the greater joys of being a TPA reviewer is discovering bands who might otherwise have flown under the radar. General Purpose, a young band from Greensboro, North Carolina in the US is one such band. One Last Word,…
On last March’s Cruise To The Edge, one of the buzzier bands performing was Canada’s Crown Lands. Both my friends with whom I travelled were excited to see them, and as a result, so was I. While this was to…
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…
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 –…
Crookes WMC, Sheffield Friday, 24 April 2026 Another concert in a venue that is new to me. Crookes WMC is, as the WMC suggests, an old school hall designed for music, which, back in the day, would probably have been…
New Theatre Oxford Thursday, 14 May 2026 This means nothing to me, Oh Vienna Except. It is actually Oxford, on a rainy Thursday night in May. “The feeling has gone, only you and I, it means nothing to me.” Yet,…
Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL] Saturday, 2nd May 2026 To be honest, I hadn’t seen them perform live for quite some time, so when the announcement came that they would be playing at Poppodium Boerderij again, I immediately made a note…
Cavern Club, Liverpool Tuesday, 7th April 2026 Before I review the actual concert, I must break a taboo with many people who believe all things that have a Beatles badge on it makes it perfect and above criticism. Possibly a…
Camden Club, London Saturday, 11th April 2026 A blustery and sunny day, with a hard sleet shower slotted in along the way, this had been a typical April day in England, and now I’m heading for another gig at the…
Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL] Friday, 20th March 2026 Italian prog-rock band Barock Project is back in the country. After a cancelled show late last year due to frontman Luca Zabbini’s illness, the Italians finally take the stage at Poppodium Boerderij.…
The Black Heart, Camden, London Thursday, 26th March 2026 Having heard Grace Hayhurst’s The World Is Dying album, one of last year’s finest releases, I felt compelled to make the not inconsiderable journey to London to witness her first headline…
Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL] Saturday, 14th March 2026 Lazuli has long been renowned for their live performances, just listen to, or watch Lorelive (2024). Yet the fact that they continue to grow remains both astonishing and deeply impressive. Their new…
With the release of the new album Blessed and the warm reception of Live First Album: 50th Anniversary, their penultimate live record, it was high time for me to catch up with frontman, singer, and principal songwriter John Palumbo. What…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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,…
