The Fire Station, Sunderland Saturday, 8th February 2025 Just because Jan Akkerman might not leap to the mind when thinking about the best guitarists on the planet, that doesn’t mean that his skill and pure talent is any less spectacular.…
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As a lifelong Phil Collins and Genesis fan, when it comes to reviewing an album that is coming up to its 40th anniversary there is a lot of emotional bias which I recognise and realise that I must approach this…
View More Phil Collins – No Jacket Required
The Brickyard, Carlisle Friday, 24th January 2025 When the Temple of Prog calls the other deities get jealous and do all they can to stop the devout votaries from worshipping. They send a vicious storm with a name that none…
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Looking at many bands, prog included, the change of lead singers often requires metaphorical big feet, to fill the previous incumbent’s shoes and there can be long debates as to who was the most suited. I am sure that, in…
View More Maaike Siegerist – Long Earth
I am sure that you have all been keeping abreast of the headline acts for Nene Valley Rock Festival, as they have been drip fed into your consciousness. Waiting with eager anticipation in the hope that the next big name…
View More Nene Valley Rock Festival 2025 Preview
Joan started singing in the 60’s and released her first album in 1972. Since then, she has issued albums on a fairly regular basis, and this is her 21st studio release. She is no longer the name she used to be,…
View More Joan Armatrading – How Did This Happen And What Does It Now Mean
Little Theatre, Cleadon Village Saturday, 30th November 2024 Obviously, concerts are about the music. Be that hearing new bands or familiar ones playing equally familiar, or less well known material. However, on occasion a concert can be more than the…
View More The Blackheart Orchestra / Foxpalmer
Fire Station, Sunderland Monday, 11th November 2024 For those who are familiar with Julia Fordham’s voice they will know how wonderful it is. Yes, there are more powerful singers in the annals of music history but her style is not…
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First Direct Arena, Leeds 7th November 2024 REEF It is hard for any band to fill a support slot, especially when the main act happens to be Deep Purple. Most of the audience is there to see the ‘name’ and…
View More Deep Purple / Reef
City Varieties, Leeds Monday 4th November 2025 For some people, such as myself, The Police were part of the soundtrack to our formative lives. They might not have been our very favourite band but their songs were good and some…
View More An Audience with Stewart Copeland