The Tivoli’s 100th birthday celebrations continue with a bit of a coup. Billed as “For One Night Only” this show is, as the name suggests, The Southern River Band’s only UK date outside of their appearance at Download Festival so it was a privilege to be able to go along and be a part of it.
Read MoreSleaze punk. An evocative phrase, possibly even a contradiction in terms. However, it comfortably describes each of tonight’s bands even though they are as like each other as sleaze and punk.. If tonight’s act were coffee Suicide Bombers would be a dark, strong espresso, Continental Lovers would be a warming, familiar americano and Trench Dogs would be a light and frothy cappucino, possibly with marshmallows. All have the same roots but present them in their own style – put the kettle on and let’s settle in for the next couple of hours!
Read MoreToday is a big day for the Tivoli Venue. This year marks the 100th birthday of the building, and while there are celebrations galore planned to mark this auspicious occasion tonight’s gig is the official opener of the Tiv’s 100th year. Originally a venue for pantomimes, there is panto planned for later in the week but first we get to celebrate with a bit of party rock. Atlanta’s Kicking Valentina are no strangers to these shores, but support act Sisters Doll are here on their first ever UK tour, and they are raring to go.
Read MoreWho are the most influential rock guitarists in the world? Well there’s a number of contenders, but not all of them are still out there plying their trade. Van Halen died, Page is retired, Blackmore is fol-de-rol-ing in the forest. One man who is definitely up there amidst the greats and still regularly bothering our ears though is Michael Schenker. Once the wunderkind who revived the fortunes of a somewhat flagging little prog band from London before returning briefly to his brother’s band and then embarking on a solo career that’s kept him busy ever since, today’s Michael Schenker is something of a living legend. Last year he revisited his youth, releasing “My Years With UFO”; a double album of his best UFO songs re-imagined with a plethora of fantastic vocalists, and now it’s time to bring the nostalgia fest to his still-adoring public. First though, the support….
Read MoreTonight is a contrast in times. Headline frontman Toby Jepson was something of a rock superstar in the late 80’s. His band Little Angels bothered the UK charts many times before dissolving acrimoniously in the early 90’s. Toby went on to a career as a minor actor before re-discovering his love of writing and performing music, and a short but lucrative solo career morphed into Wayward Sons, a band that has been entertaining us with classic rock sounds for some nine years now. In the meantime, support acts Muddibrooke and White Lightning are snapping at his heels with Muddibrooke taking us on a more 90s-focused journey whilst White Lightning, despite their tender years, are firmly rooted in the 80’s that Toby emerged from.
Read MoreIt’s not often that you get to go to a gig with a heads or tails nature. On this particular tour, co-headliners Skies Turn Black and Andromedous are just that though. They are flipping who is last up at various venues on the tour, and tonight that distinction goes to Skies Turn Black, but Andromedous are hot on their heels. The thing is, what you have here are two bands at total opposite ends of the Metal spectrum. On the one hand, a melodic power metal band with strong hints of AOR, on the other an aggressive electrocore outfit with masks and a rhythm section in a box.
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