Live Music
Simple Minds
Philamonjaro finds Simple Minds to be on fiery form as he watches and photographs them on their '40 Years of Hits Tour' in Valencia in Spain.
Bluedot Festival
Shirley Procter profiles some of her favpurite acts at this year's four-day Bluedot Festival.
Truck Festival
Nick Dent-Robinson enjoys this year's Truck Music Festival, which included performances from Kasabian, Piney Gir and The Ocford Symphony Orchestra.
Queen and Adam Lambert
Fiona Hutchings finds seeing Queen and Adam Lambert is a dream come true live at the O2 Arena in London.
Bathers
John Clarkson enjoys sets from The Bathers, Cowboy Mouth and Sugartown in the unusual setting of the Strathaven Hotel in South Lanarkshire.
Zombies
After a two-year lockdown, The Zombies rose above adversity to tour and celebrate their 2019 Hall of Fame induction. Lisa Torem at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago enjoys both the classics and new tunes.
Cornbury Music Festival
Nick Dent-Robinson attends the last ever Cornbury Festival in Oxfordshire, which included sets from Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Bryan Adams. The Waterboys and The Darkness.
Alanis Morissette
Gen X icon Alanis Morrissette visits Manchester to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of classic album ‘Jagged Little Pill’. Shirley Procter reviews
Tamsin Elliott
Tamsin Elliott released her debut solo album at the end of June. Nicky Crewe at the Café #9 in Sheffield discovers that her music is a spellbinding blend of her influences and her talents as a musician and composer.
Dorothy Bird
Steve Kinrade enjoys an emotionally rewarding and cathartic from German-born singer-songwriter Dorothy Bird at Jimmy's in Liverpool to promote her debut album, 'Belonging'.
Weeping Willows
Nicky Crewe at Cafe #9 in Sheffield watches Melbourne’s The Weeping Willows bring their dark folk songs and close harmonies on tour to promote their third album.
Rolling Stones
At the opening UK date of their Sixty Tour, and their first visit to Liverpool in over fifty years, The Rolling Stones’ retain their title of The World’s Greatest Rock N’ Roll Band. Richard Lewis reviews
Simply Red
Philamonjaro photographs and watches Simply Red play a celebratory and uplifting set at La Marina in Valencia in Spain.
Tori Amos
Lisa Torem watches a glowing Tori Amos, with drummer/percussionist Ash Soan and bassist Jon Evans, exceed expectations with a nearly two-hour Chicago performance.
Jimmy Webb
Dastardly watches a captivating performance by Jimmy Webb proving he’s as skilled a raconteur as he is songsmith.
Miles Kane
Marie Hazelwood takes photographs of and Harry Sherriff reviews Miles Kane at Roadmender in Northampton.
Janis Ian
Lisa Torem at the Old School Town of Folk Music watches singer-songwriter Janis Ian sing highlights from her new album The Light at the End of the Line’ but also drew from seasoned hits on her final tour.
Suzanne Vega
Lisa Torem enjoys Suzanne Vega's much-awaited set at Chicago's Old Town School. which includes hits and selections from her one-woman show about novelist Carson McCullers.
Virgin Radio Big Thank You Tour
Shirley Procter enjoys the Virgin Radio Big Thank You show at the Manchester Arena, and sets from Tom Walker, the Wild Things, Isaac Stuart and the Kaiser Chiefs.
Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets
With photos by Andrew Twambley, John Clarkson enjoys a compelling show from Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets of the music of the early Pink Floyd at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh.
Divine Comedy
Dixie Ernill at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester watches The Divine Comedy mix music hall mirth and stirring balladry.
Robyn Hitchcock
Lisa Torem at the Old Town School of Folk Music enjoys the Chicago show of Robyn Hitchcock’s long-awaited North American tour.
Stranglers
Following the loss of founder member, keyboardist Dave Greenfield and Covid related rescheduling, punk legends The Stranglers make a blazing return to the stage in Nottingham. Denzil Watson reviews.
James McMurtry
Lisa Torem watches James McMurtry return to Chicago’s Old Town School and drew from an assortment of albums, including gems from his latest album ‘The Horses and the Hounds'.
Rhiannon Scutt
Sheffield-based singer-songwriter Rhiannon Scutt has simultaneously released three new EPs entitled ‘'Facets'. At a launch gig at Greystones in Sheffield, Nicky Crewe finds that they show just how much she is capable of as songwriter and a performer. They are a fantastic introduction to her work and a celebration of her style.
After The Flood
Steve Kinrade watches an excellent set from brooding progressive rock After The Flood, the project of composer and guitarist Neil Campbell, at the Capstone Theatre in Liverpool
Eric Gales
With photos by Andrew Twambley, Paul Kimber finds watching blues musician Eric Gales, who has been described by Joe Bonamassa as “one of the best, if not the best, guitar player in the world”, a totally encapsulating experience.
Peter Doherty and Frederic Lo
Amanda J. Window watches and photographs Peter Doherty and and French musician and producer Frédéric Lo play an intimate gig at The Cavern Club in Liverpool to promote their new album ‘The Fantasy Life of Poetry and Crime’.
Candlelight Tribute to Coldplay
Shirley Procter enjoys a candlelight tribute to Coldplay at Manchester Cathedral.
Garnetts
Richard Lewis reviews Liverpool alt. rock quartet The Garnetts live on home turf at the legendary Jacaranda in Liverpool, supported by indie rockers Peak Low.
Low Red Moon
With photos by Robert Hadley, Taylor Smyth watches eight-piece band Low Red Moon play a visual but versatile set at Dead Wax in their native Birmingham to launch their debut single, 'Fluid'.
Paul Weller
On the road to promote new LP 'Fat Pop (Volume One)' and celebrate the anniversary of 1990s classic 'Stanley Road', Paul Weller shows no signs of slowing down on record or on stage at a capacity Liverpool Olympia. Richard Lewis reviews
Jesus And Mary Chain
At a concert at the Albert Hall in Manchester featuring classics from their brooding 1987 second album, ‘Darklands',’ Denzil Watson finds The Jesus and Mary Chain rendering a refreshingly subtle and dynamic range.
Fenne Lily
Nige Nudds watches and photographs up-and-coming Fenne Lily’s captivating set at a packed Portland Arms in Cambridge.
Lanterns on the Lake
Nige Nudds at the Waterfront Studio in Norwich enjoys a compelling set from Mercury Prize nominated post-rock outfit Lanterns on the Lake in which they play their latest album 'Spook the Herd' in full.
Jarv Is
Steev Burgess watches an impressive set of old and new songs from former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker at the Roundhouse in London.
Billy Joel
Lisa Torem enjoys Billy Joel's return to his Madison Square Gardens monthly residency after a twenty month absence because of Covid.
Fontaines DC
Amanda J Window watches and photographs chart scaling Dublin quintet Fontaines DC plug their wares in a much delayed, highly raucous, sold-out show at Manchester Academy
Little Man Tate
Denzil Watson watches indie guitar act Little Man Tate make a triumphant return after a twelve year absence across two nights at the Sheffield O2 Arena.
Beth Hart
Andrew Twambley at Parr Hall in Warrington watches an electrifying set from rock/blues artist Beth Hart
Humanist
Dave Goodwin finds that the debut album by storied producer former Exit Calm leader Rob Marshall is realised live on stage with superb effect.
Cal Ruddy
Steve Kinrade at the Thornton Hough Social Club enjoys a charismatic, unforgettable performance from grassroots singer-songwriter Cal Ruddy with excellent support from Visions of Albion and Evie Moran.
Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical
Despite soft pedalling over his biographical details and infidelities, Nick Dent-Robinson finds much to enjoy in a new stage show about Bob Marley.
Spear Of Destiny
Denzil Watson at Yardbirds in Grimsby watches an emotive performance from Spear of Destiny to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their third album, 'World Service'.
Genesis
Despite Phil Collins' ailing health problems, Neil Swift finds Genesis on their 'Last Domino' farewell tour continuing to be an excellent stage presence.
London Grammar
Nick Dent-Robinson enjoys a rare, intimate show from stadium-filling act London Grammar at the O2 Academy in Oxford.
Libertines
Steev Burgess watches The Libertines play a fiery set of their classic songs at Rochester Castle.
Steve Hackett
Neil Swift at the Manchester Apollo watches Steve Hackett plays Genesis' entire double live album 'Seconds Out' as well as highlights from his own back and current catalogue.
New Order
Denzil Watson watches New Order play a gripping set at Heaton Park in Manchester in their first home city gig in over four years.
Stewart Copeland
Philamonjaro watches and photographs Stewart Copeland rearrange The Police catalogue with the Cleveland Orchestra at the Blossom Center in Ohio.
Primitives
Indie pop progenitors The Primitives roll back the years with a career-scanning set delivered in breathless fashion. Richard Lewis reviews
Mike Garry and The Cassia String Quartet
Writer Shirley Procter and photographer Amanda J Window watch poet Mike Garry play a gig with The Cassini String Quartet at the Stamford Quarter in Altrincham.
Joe Bonamassa
For fans of guitarist and singer-songwriter Joe Bonamassa, Lisa Torem discovers that the Austin City Limits livestream is an exciting way to celebrate the old and the new in the comfort of one’s home.