Live Review: Ben Harper @ The Palladium
The Palladium is best known for hosting musical theatre and televised variety shows, so catching an acoustic show by Ben Harper at the venue feels a little incongruous. He feels the same way, it transpires. A few songs into the show he apologises for wearing denim in...
Live Review: Dum Dum Girls @ Scala
One thing is sure, Dee Dee Penny of Dum Dum Girls has an attitude. She is going to sing and play her songs her way, dress how she pleases and you had better like it or else. Opening with Mine Tonight from the End of Daze it is easy to spot some of her many influences...
Live Review: Record Store Day
Record Store Day 2014 showed off an exciting range of music talent, a group of respected artists are being brought together to celebrate exclusively on Berwick Street in the heart of Soho, London. The main live stage curated by Sister Ray Records. Presenter and...
Live Review: Mike Watt & The Missingmen.
Mike Watt & The Missingmen ended their 56 date European tour in London at The Lexington. Exhausted? Maybe, but their performance refused to show that this was anything but a tight, energetic and entertaining act. Watt’s influential early 80s band Minutemen may be...
Live Review: Imelda May @ the Roundhouse.
The Roundhouse in north London proved its astute scheduling skills by hosting Irish rockabilly singer Imelda May for St. Patrick’s Day. Backed by her full band, a gaffiti-strewn brick wall backdrop, a motorcycle to the side of the stage and a glowing neon clover sign...
Live Review: All Time Low @ Brixton Academy.
Somewhere in between growing hair in some very odd places, and many a violent mood swing; I fell in love with a pop punk band from Maryland, Baltimore. I've gone through a lot of changes since then, and so have All Time Low. Admittedly there are some mixed emotions...
Live Review: Ronnie Spector @ WOW.
Southbank Centre’s ‘WOW - Women of the World Festival’ played host to Ronnie Spector and her ‘Beyond The Beehive’ night of singing, talking, laughing and crying. Like a woman creating the documentary of her life before your very eyes, the show switched between live...
Live Review: Dar Williams @ Bush Hall.
The elegant Bush Hall venue in west London is adorned with red velvet curtains and glistening chandeliers, an ornately carved ceiling overhead and a soft carpet underfoot. So, what would it take to dwarf such grandeur? The answer, it transpires, is the songs and...
Live Review: Me First And The Gimme Gimmes
“This one’s a cover...”, drawls singer Spike Slawson in a serious tone as he looks out across a packed theatre and introduces the next song. This makes me laugh each time he says it - which is often, tonight - since Me First And The Gimme Gimmes is nothing but a...
Live Review: Brody Dalle @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen.
The singer from The Distillers and Spinerette, Brody Dalle has started touring to present her debut solo album. She played an intimate show for a few people at Hoxton Bar & Kitchen last night in London. The concert was set to start at 21:30 and with just a few...
Live Review: Family @ Shepherds Bush Empire.
Underestimated by the mainstream but largely adored by those in the know Family caused euphoric joy when they reformed for two special shows last year at this very venue.Initially for a one off experience Family are rightly back doing it again exactly one year on...
Live Review: Kodo @ Lighthouse.
Comprising a breath-taking combination of athletic and electrifying drumming, exquisite musicianship, stunning visuals and pure theatre, Kodo – the legendary taiko drumming ensemble – returned to the UK for the first time since 2010 with their most ambitious...
Live Review: Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls @ O2.
Early on in tonight’s show, Frank Turner stops and takes a moment to consider the obstacles that the universe has thrown in our collective path in getting to this, his first headline show at London’s mammoth 02 Arena. He cites the current phenomenal storms lashing and...
Live: Sarah Jarosz at Green Note.
Sarah Jarosz has just completed a stint on the Transatlantic Sessions tour, sharing the stage with high profile names of the folk/country scene including Shawn Colvin and Tim O’Brien. The artists performed in prestigious venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, on the...
Review: 50 Years Of The Who. Colin Jones.
Musical history drips off the walls here in Camden. On my way to Proud Galleries, which is tucked neatly into the famous Stables market, I know that all around me there are any number of struggling artists fervently paying their dues in the basements and bars of the...
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