I think it's fair to say that we don't get masses of hardcore gigs passing through the North West, so it’s a real treat to have a band with the calibre of Comeback Kid headlining a gig in Manchester. The Bread Shed offers everything you need to make this kind of gig work, with that underground vibe and close-up intimate stage. In fact, as would be hoped at a hardcore gig, there’s no barrier tonight - something our photographer is a bit nervous about it’s plain to see!
Read MoreThere’s nothing like walking through the streets of Manchester on a sunny day...on your way to Satan’s Hollow for a gig! Just as i’m strolling to the venue I spot ROCKFLESH’s very own Dark Lord himself (Johann), complete with a an injured hand. Ensuing jokes about me possibly having to take the photos of tonight’s gig, as well as writing the review, serve only to make me chuckl and smile more. Spolier – Johann did take the photos and did and amazing job working through the obvious pain in hand, ever the professional and champ. As we make our way up to stairs into the venue we can hear that openers In Depths have already started and in full flow.
Read MoreIt’s hard to imagine sometimes exactly where the last 30 years have gone isn’t it? If we think back to those days, say every time we listen to Planet Rock, it immediately transports you back through time and the music we listened to, or probably still listen to, and how it has woven in and out of our lives through the good, the bad and the indifferent times.
Read MoreMy first gig was Queen at Wembley Stadium. In equal measure majestic and ethereal, the image of Freddie Mercury is forever imprinted on my brain. He seemed to be hyperreal, burning off the stage in a flurry of kinetic energy. There was something magical about the way he held eighty-odd thousand people in the palm of his hand. I was transfixed and forever smitten.
Read MoreThe last time I saw The Prodigy was also in Liverpool. I’d spent a lonely afternoon day drinking after nobody turned up at the agreed time, rocked up at the arena after a few shots in Bar Ca Va, and had a fight with a guy because his trainers were worth £400 and what was I doing dancing near him… mate I am living my best life, good grief.
It was also the last time I saw Keith Flint.
Read MoreIt's officially the hottest nights of the year. The atmosphere is stifling, and you can feel the heat sizzle off the pavement. This is a night for smooth tunes and a gentle summer breeze. So where am I, I hear you cry? Well, I'm melting in a sweltering and heaving Rebellion to witness a trio of corrosive Death Metal bands, where else would I be? The fact that the place is so packed speaks volumes about a) how desperate we are to get back to live music (it still feels like a forbidden fruit that could be snatched from us at any given time) and b) the power of word-of-mouth.
Read MoreLate opening doors, list confusion, a surplus of photographers and the distraction of a political meltdown happening down in Westminster, all mean that I only catch the dying seconds of Auraboros. What I do see is simultaneously chaotic and cathartic. They are a blur of kinetic energy, hurling fistfuls of distorted metalcore into the crowd. Very much one to put on my "need to arrive earlier" list.
Read MoreJust a mere stone's throw away from the bombastic and chaotic Concert Square, The Zanzibar on Seel Street played host to a spectacular 4 band bill topped by, in my opinion, the hottest new band on the scene; the mighty Tailgunner.
Up first however were mancunian, sleaze punk four-piece, Riot Eye. To put it as simply as I can, they were incredible. A lot of bands would see an empty space and a sparse crowd and allow that to get to them as a result of it appearing that no one wanted to get there early to see them, Riot Eye however absolutely thrived in these conditions.
Read MoreWell, this is a bit different. I do not think I have been in the Apollo since Billy Idol played in 2014! On arrival the queue is massive, and I am thankful I can go straight inside. The place is heaving, which comes as no surprise as this is the first of two sold out shows in Manchester.
Read MoreIt may seem like lazy journalism to cite Rammstein's show in Coventry as indescribable, but for two very distinct reasons that is exactly what it is. Firstly, it completely and utterly disregards all existing precedent about what a stadium show should be, essentially it takes the rule book and literally sets fire to it. For decades and decades convention has been that the stadium shows should all be presented in the same formulaic way. Box at the end of the playing field, lights over the band, a couple of makeshift screens either side and Bruce Springsteen's your uncle.
Read MoreWe all have tales about Trent Reznor being difficult. Whether it be playing behind a view-obscuring bank of lights (Leeds Festival 2007), looking bored and massively disinterested (Sonisphere 2009) or failing to acknowledge that there was an audience there at all (Manchester Arena 2014). Well, I am proud to report that tonight our Trent is personable and even bordering on affable. He interacts with the audience numerous times and voluntarily enters into a conversation with vocal members of the front row.
Read MoreIn a rush as usual but I head upstairs to get a good view of the stage and the place is not only heaving, it’s also hot. Until Sunday I had never heard of The Raven Age, so I am quite surprised at how packed the venue is already and there is an air of anticipation, so I am expecting good things.
The Raven Age are an English heavy metal band formed in 2009 by guitarists Dan Wright and George Harris (son of Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris). They have previously toured with Tremonti, along with Iron Maiden, Anthrax and Killswitch Engage. They are described as melodic metalcore, but I am non-the-wiser…
Read MoreA music gig at The Lowry? Well, this is a first. How does it work? Where do I go? Hmmm… all very strange. I must get a pass from the stage door; we are escorted backstage before being ushered through to the theatre and hooked up with seats. We almost feel like royalty, certainly VIP. I could get use to this.
I arrive in time for Talk Like Tigers, twin sisters Charlotte and Stephanie from Newcastle. They are cited as a rising indie-pop duo. They enter the stage to “Vogue” by Madonna (who I love by the way!) and there is a strong 80s vibe, somewhat reminiscent of Shakespeare Sister.
Read MoreIt is hotter than the sun in the Star and Garter tonight. I love this venue for so many reasons, but upstairs always becomes a sweat box in any kind of heat and tonight is no exception. There are fans blowing hot air around the room. Superb.
Absolutely worth getting in and down to the front nice and early for tonight’s opener Immerse. Metalcore from Bristol and brimming with energy, Immerse burst onto the stage and are an instantly likable force, despite some early technical difficulties involving their bass.
Read MoreNight Demon are spectacularly good this evening because they don't try to be anything they are not, this is down-the-line rebel-rousing metal and it hits the spot with pinpoint accuracy. The guitar work is exemplary, minimal but with the occasional appropriate sprinkling of flair. They know that we don't want long convoluted solos, what we want are short well-defined bursts of power that we can bang our heads to and they provide it in abundance.
Read MoreWe climb the never-ending staircase of Liverpool O2 Academy on what is a stifling hot evening. Not that the glorious weather is stopping it from being a full house for the return to the UK of Canadians Billy Talent. The punters are eager with anticipation as we filter past the merch stand and up to the venue. It’s been around five years since they ventured to our shores, and for fans like myself it’s felt like an eternity.
Read More"But I'm not a reviewer", I kept nervously saying to myself whilst queueing amongst a good humoured and well-seasoned crowd (myself included) waiting to gain entry to Chester's Live Rooms. You see due to a technicality we have no official reviewer for the evening so I am off the sub bench and into action. I can barely string two words together in written form, and definitely struggle to go beyond "this is epic" or "naa, I’m not keen" when talking music. I tend to like what I like, and in more recent times find that I prefer tracks to bands.
Read MoreTonight I am a fish so far out of water I might as well be up a tree. Getting Brazillian thrash pioneers Sepultura at the Tiv, one of just 3 appearances outside their Download set, was a real coup for them. There was no way ROCKFLESH could ignore it, I mean these guys are one of the cornerstones of the music most of my colleagues live for. And that’s the problem. They are in the UK to play Download Festival, and essentially everyone else is at Download too. So here I am, clutching my notebook somewhat nervously and wondering what on earth I have let myself in for. I have never heard a single song by any of tonight’s artists, couldn’t even name a band member for you. It’s all new, which is also kind of exciting I suppose. So fortified with a large rum I step into the fray. Let’s do this.
Read MoreA word if I may about the venue, as I’ve not been to the Night & Day Café before. It’s a funky little place just off Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester. It’s long and narrow, with toilets downstairs in the cellar. The décor is eclectic, Tiffany lampshades mix with 70s-style plastic ones, the bar is lit by vintage stage spotlights and there is an abundance of fairy lights throughout. Furniture is transport café utilitarian or faded padded pub benches, and the walls are full of music-related cartoons and caricatures. I like it! We grab a table at the back, and I am delighted to discover that you can see the stage from most of the room.
Read MoreWiddly, widdly, widdly, widdly, widdly… There you go that’s my review. Least that is what Stewart Lucas said I should write about tonight, so I guess my work here is done?!!
Well, maybe not quite. However, given in my latest review (for Creeper last weekend) I clearly stated I cannot do commentary on composition and melodies, rather lyrics and vocals are where it is all at… this review might be a slight challenge for me.
So, if you have come here for a detailed review of guitar playing and all that entails you are more than likely going to be disappointed.
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