- Live Reviews
My previous Arctic Monkeys shows at the Astoria, Brixton, La Zonta Rosa and the megazone of Glastonbury really was no preparation for Alex Turner’s persona at the 02 last night. Like the Vaccines intro music, American Rock n Roll radio which they weren’t but, Alex Turner most certainly was.
Leather jacket, quiff, hair combed through a few times during the show (combs available on the merch stand). The new album continues the American odyssey the band seems to be in the midst of.
Matt Helders, is as much a star of the proceedings as front man Alex. A more solid drummer would be hard the find. Thunder behind the kit and two out of three catches after the throwing the stick in the air segments. Jamie Cook and Nick O’Malley guitar and bass respectively continue to make this a growing band.
It takes some doing just to get your head around how far and fast this band they go but, there is still the dark humour and the earthy lyrics. A show just scrapping in at 90 minutes could have been much longer after four albums but it’s still a non stop music feast through those records.
Let’s hope next time out it’s not ‘American Express presents The Arctic Monkeys’!
Pete
- Live Reviews
I have decided that the Roundhouse, whilst a spectacular place for a concert, is just not that brilliant for viewing. Half the Wilco set crushed up the front ,half behind the mixing desk meant a disjointed show, viewing wise, as you lose all the atmosphere up at the back. This was however a great set that comfortably covered the band’s history with a massive chunk of the new record.
We went as far back as ‘Shouldn't Be Ashamed’ from AM and all points leading up to The Whole Love. It’ did seem to me a bit low key but that could have been because I was waiting for the current dynamic version of Via Chicago, which didn’t arrive until the next night. My Recent Wilco gigs have also been at festivals and also seemed to be more urgent. As I reflect on set list however I think I’ll be enjoying the ipod playlist over the next couple of months.
Pete
- Live Reviews
Where to start, numerous Ryan shows un
At the moment we have the cool, focussed, amiable Ryan. Fine new album just released (Ashes and Fire) and a back catalogue to make even more seasoned veterans weep.
Anyway back to the start. A healthy queue outsi
Chris Stills (Stephen’s son) provi
- Live Reviews
First things first, water £2.70 a bottle (rip off) Richmond Fontaine T Shirt £10 (bargain!) and beer is the usual £4 plus.
It was a predominantly male audience (more so than your average gig) - much to Laura Gibson’s horror, when she remembered that her T-shirts on the merchandise stall were covered in bunnies. Not that she really needed to worry as she had all the big butch guys (with sensitive hearts) eating out of her hand and singing along by the end of her set. Doubt she sold many T-shirts though.
Laura Gibson is a fine
- Live Reviews
Tom McRae came out quietly, bashfully, didn't speak, didn't introduce himself but launched straight into the haunting 'You Cut her hair' - chills ran down my spine and the hair stood up on the back of my neck and arms, goose pimples everywhere. The deep tone of the Cello went right through my belly and the violins and viola that accompanied the song, seemed to cling on to his very word.
- Live Reviews
The lone Josh T. was supported by The Tenebrous Liar & Rich Warren, The latter also being the drummer in the former.
Richard Warren had a brooding presence, much like the entire atmosphere of the night. Some raw blues tunes acoustic and electric. New album out 17th October, Wayfarer, with a stripped down mix free with Bucketfull of Brains Great start.
The Tenebrous Liar, are a three piece down the Post Rock route band, indeed close to a ‘Fall’ type Post Rock band. Just a type of band you would expect at Birmingham’s Supersonic festival, with a wall of sound, single pitched vocals and a dark attitude. Interesting evening.
- Live Reviews
I love a man who can shake his Maraccas and the lead singer ( Alex Maas) from The Black Angels does, he also gets the tambourine out from time to time. The Black Angels don't say much and when they do, you can't understand a word they mumble. Don't expect any audience participation from these blokes but the sound from them is hypnotising and even quite sexy to say the least.
At the Plaza, last night in Zurich the five piece band looked a little cramped on stage and even though the sound wasn't great, you got a feel for what I have seen described as 'Psychedelic Rock'. Very reminiscent of Black Rebel Motor Club but less laboured. I just love that deep grungy/echoey deep guitar and I think some of their riffs are probably a little lighter than B.R.M.C.
- Live Reviews
Keith Jarrett’s standards trio played to a packed Royal Festival Hall last night (27 July) Ma
Again, we find ourselves experiencing a concert far from the norm (for us) but with an affection for the ECM label back in the Seventies I just felt inclined to try, a live high profile live jazz recital at last.
A very respectful audience saw the trio arrive on stage at 7.40 pm take a
At the end of the gig I did won
The sound balance levels and tone were pitch perfect throughout, rather like an ECM vinyl recording. Jarrett’s playing was actually quite stunning, fingers flowing across the piano or, bent low over the instrument picking out the most
- Live Reviews
On the weekend that we lost a magnificent musical voice, it was reassuring, nay, reaffirming to see Irma Thomas performing in
Delighted to be on stage, with a wicked sense of humour and more than happy to take requests, however obscure, she sang what she “could remember” and she could remember a lot! On occasion she just sang the vocal as the band didn’t even know the song, something a few artist would not go near attempting.
Dubbed the ‘Soul Queen of New Orleans’ her heart obviously belongs to that city and the most stunning moment of the night came with a vocal and keyboard cover of Stevie Won
‘Time is on My Si
- Live Reviews
The tiny Junction 2 venue in Cambridge must hold around 200-300 people and ‘hats off’ to Athlete for sticking with that venue after the show sold out and not moving to the bigger Junction venue.
A rather fine,’ The Robot Heart’ commenced proceedings. A four piece with gentle
The show itself was, the hits stripped back, which was
Carey Willetts, Bass Stephen Roberts drums and Tim Wanstall, keyboards and omnichord all seemed to be having a great time and in the end Joel said that “it was great to be part of something different”
Like an old jumper you have not worn for years and when you try it on again, it fits. That's how the evening felt, perhaps, a band whose records are seldom played, back to remind us how good the songs actually are! Hats off in
Pete
