Live: Ellie Goulding & Friends @ Streets Of London.
English singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ellie Goulding hosted a unique evening of acoustic music at West London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire, sharing the stage with a host of acts from rockers Band Of Skulls to the delicate-voiced Birdy in aid of the homeless...
Live: John Garcia @ Islington Academy.
The evening promised the best of the stoner rock, and even before John Garcia and band entered the local quartet, Steak, came into action with the best of their repertoire. The band, which became one of the leading bands of the Desert / Stoner Rock scene in UK,...
Live: Blues Pills @ The Dome
Blues and Psychedelic Rock is still alive and kicking and very well represented by the band that triumphs today, Blues Pills. Going back to the 70's with long haired folk, wah-wah pedals all over the place and psychedelic posters on the walls is the vibe of The Dome,...
Live: Augustines @ Roundhouse
Brooklyn-based indie rockers Augustines, formally We Are Augustines, played their final show of a short European tour at Camden’s Roundhouse in support of their eponymous second studio album. Starting the show with tracks from their debut Rise Ye Sunken Ships, the...
Live: Roddy Frame @ The Barbican.
Roddy Frame is back in the limelight. After bringing the High Land Hard Rain album to stages last year he has continued to develop a slick and down right witty show. His natural humour, quick retorts to the crowd and abundant self confidence are a strange...
Live: The New Pornographers @ The Empire.
A lot of bands could take a cue from The New Pornographers regarding style over substance. At their recent show at Shepherd's Bush Empire, we see the Canadians showcase their talents with a minimum of fuss. Sprinkling old favourites The Laws Have Changed, Testament to...
Live: Steve Hackett @ Birmingham Symphony Hall
Steve Hackett selected the Symphony Hall Birmingham to be the final date of his third year of Genesis tours, all sold out, time and time again. The bar area of the hall pre-show featured a mature and pleasant audience with an expectant buzz in the air, many are here...
Live: The Specials @ The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is heaving with those ready to skank. It’s the first of three nights that The Specials are playing at London’s venerable circular venue, as part of the band’s ongoing reunion tour. The surprising opener is the cool chill of Ghost Town, their number one...
LIve: Difford & Tilbrook @ Union Chapel.
Two rock stars tumble out of bed, before finding themselves a cup of tea and gazing around at a packed room of spectators. Not something you often witness in a church and no ordinary start to a gig. Tonight, however, Union Chapel hosts a rare treat of Squeeze...
Live. The Handsome Family @ Assembly Hall.
The Handsome Family may have been around for nearly 20 years but they are still very much in demand. Tonight they perform a sold out concert at Islington Assembly Hall. Sara Jenkins photographs and reviews. The venue has a real village hall feel about it tonight and...
Live: Patti Smith @ Union Chapel
The ground underfoot is dark, dank woodland and there are strange, other-worldly sounds whirling through the air, that may be ominous or might be soothing. This is the setting created by a huge video screen overhead and five musicians on one side of the stage. Leading...
Live: Laura Doggett @ Brixton Academy
Singer songwriter Laura Doggett opened as John Newman’s support act for his second London Brixton Academy date. You might be forgiven for not knowing who Laura is but you would certainly remember her afterwards. She is fast making an impression on us with her...
Live: Nerina Pallot @ Union Chapel
During the summer months this year, Nerina Pallot’s first two albums held a significant space in the musical landscape of my car, having discovered that they are perfect ‘windows down, driving along the motorway, singing your heart out’ music. During these moments of...
LIve Review: OFF! @ Oslo.
The annual Rockshot party at Oslo got off to a bad start, illness, flooded flats and literally a lack of spark. Those of us that did make it were in for a real experience. OFF! are one of those bands who have to be tried out at least once in a lifetime, just so you...
Live Review: Joan Baez @ Royal Festival Hall.
Joan Baez saunters alone onto the stage of the Royal Festival Hall, sits at the microphone and strikes up with Handsome Molly, a song with the opening line ‘Well, I wish I was in London..’. If that’s not savvy song selection, I don’t know what is. This legend of folk...
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