Steve Hill, One-Man Band Casts A Spell At Academy Islington

Being an opening act is always tricky. You never know what to expect or how many people will turn up early in the hope of some good music. And then there are venues like O2 Academy Islington, where I’ve seen great opening bands playing to an almost empty room. So if challenges are your kind of thing, top of the list would be a one-man band opening for rock veterans Wishbone Ash.

But young Canadian one-man blues-rock machine Steve Hill is totally up for the challenge.

Far from the mainstream, Hill does things his own way and, in a world where most people try to follow others, we need those who take the road less travelled. His innovative approach to music lets him do and be whatever he wants on stage. He’s a singer, lead guitarist, rhythm guitarist, drummer, magician. Singing and playing guitar, he also plays bass drum, snare drum, and the audience (as they are clearly another one of his instruments).

A short, seven-song set offered a mixture of all of his released albums, called simply Volume 1, 2, and 3. Volume 3 was released just a few weeks ago on 6th of October. This performance, along with multiple dates through October and November, are part of an extensive UK promo tour.

One of the best parts of being a music photographer is being able to discover a new band and fall in love with them. That’s exactly what happened to me on that magic night. Somewhere between The Ballad Of Johny Wabo and the latest single Dangerous, I fell in love entirely with the music created by the one man standing in the blinding lights of O2 Academy Islington. When the last song of the set, a brilliant cover of Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love, sounded from the stage, I looked around at the amazed audience. It was clear, that I wasn’t the only one to discover something that night. It was my all-time favourite song that once again gave me goosebumps, but this time played by just one man.

Steve Hill is currently touring as a support act for Wishbone Ash, and I strongly recommend you see him at one of his upcoming dates in a town near you. He’s one of my favourite discoveries of 2017.

Wishbone Ash – October 2017 UK Tour with special guest Steve Hill

Tuesday 31-Oct- 17 Princess Theatre, Hunstanton

Thursday 02-Nov- 17 Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, Wirral

Friday 03-Nov- 17 The Tivoli, Buckley

Saturday 04-Nov- 17 Whitby Pavilion Theatre, Whitby

Sunday 05-Nov- 17 The Lowry Manchester

Tuesday 07-Nov- 17 The Flowerpot, Derby

Wednesday 08-Nov- 17 The Irish Centre, Leeds

Thursday 09-Nov- 17 Bootleggers, Kendal

Friday 10-Nov- 17 The Jam House, Edinburgh

Saturday 11-Nov- 17 The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen

Sunday 12-Nov- 17 The Ferry, Glasgow

Tuesday 14-Nov- 17 Riverside Lodge, Morpeth

Wednesday 15-Nov- 17 ARC, Stockton-on- Tees

Thursday 16-Nov- 17 The Layton, Blackpool

Friday 17-Nov- 17 The Picturedrome, Holmfirth

Saturday 18-Nov- 17 ASHCON, Clitheroe

Steve Hill was live at O2 Academy Islington, 19th October 2017

Photography & Words by Edyta K

Avalanche @ O2 Academy, Birmingham (Nick Allan)

Avalanche Bring Beer-Soaked Mayhem To Birmingham’s O2 Academy

When you stick an Australian rock band on a bill with Airbourne, you expect volume, sweat and riffs thick enough to chew on. With Asomvel sadly forced to pull out due to illness, Avalanche were handed an extended set — and they didn’t waste a single extra second of it.

Jacob Alon Confirmed For Rare Waterfront Stage Performance At Latitude 2026

Fresh from winning the BRIT Award Critics’ Choice, Jacob Alon has been announced for a landmark performance on the Waterfront Stage at Latitude Festival 2026 — becoming only the fourth musical artist ever to play the iconic floating platform.

The Great Emu War Casualties Share New Single ‘Wanna See You’ Ahead Of Debut Album

Melbourne indie outfit The Great Emu War Casualties continue the build-up to their debut album Public Sweetheart No.1 with the release of their latest single, Wanna See You.

Gipsy Kings Featuring Tonino Baliardo Share Joyous New Single ‘Historia’

Global flamenco icons Gipsy Kings featuring founder Tonino Baliardo have unveiled their vibrant new single Historia, the title track from their forthcoming album, due out on 15th May.

Police Dog Hogan Celebrate The Art Of Losing With New Single ‘Go Down Fighting’

Cult favourites Police Dog Hogan have unveiled their rousing new single Go Down Fighting, the latest preview of forthcoming album The Light At The Top Of The Stairs, set for release on 10th April.

DeVotchKa Announce 20th Anniversary UK Tour Celebrating ‘Little Miss Sunshine’

Denver outfit DeVotchKa have announced a special five-date UK tour for October 2026, marking 20 years since the release of the beloved indie film Little Miss Sunshine.

Emmylou Harris To Close European Farewell Tour At The Long Road 2026

The UK’s largest and most immersive outdoor celebration of Country, Americana and Roots returns this summer as The Long Road Festival announces its seventh edition, set for the August Bank Holiday weekend, August 27th–30th 2026. Taking place once again at the picturesque Stanford Hall in Leicestershire, the four-day festival continues to bridge generations of artists — from genre-defining legends to the fresh voices reshaping modern country and Americana.

Foo Fighters @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire (Kalpesh Patel)

Foo Fighters Let Loose At O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Just two nights after levelling The Academy Dublin and with Manchester’s O2 Ritz in their sights, Foo Fighters storm the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire for the second of three word-of-mouth, in-person-ticket-only club shows. No pre-sale frenzy. No dynamic pricing warfare. Just queues round the block and 2,000 devotees crammed into the Empire like it’s 1996 again.