The opportunity to see my favourite band in my wife's home city is a one that's too good to pass. Especially when you factor in the fact that the mother-in-law has your two sons for the night makes it an absolute no brainer, so the hotel gets booked and we arrange a handover on neutral ground and head off with some friends ready for the night. We wander up to the venue after a few drinks and some great Turkish food. My pre-gig giddiness caused by a half bottle of Peroni, a c

Dead Pony came, they saw, they kicked our asses and then, just when we thought we couldn’t take any more, they kicked them some more and not one person complained because this was as good a gig as I’ve seen all year. If you haven’t seen Dead Pony yet you’re missing one of the most visceral, energetic, exciting and entertaining live acts that the UK has produced in a very long time! The Glasgow bands brand of rock and metal is a full on aural experience with some brilliant cro

It’s been a couple of years since I saw The Twilight Sad and that was a shorter set supporting The Cure in an arena so tonight’s headliner in the cosier surroundings of The Boiler Shop promised to be something special. The band are currently out in support of the latest album 'It’s A Long Goodbye' which is a raw emotional piece of work centering around the loss of a loved one to dementia and the grief that takes its toll both during and after the process. The new album takes

It’s been 22 years since Tori Amos last played here in Newcastle and the sense of excitement and anticipation in the foyer of the City Hall is running high as I watch people streaming through the doors eager to take their seats and not miss one single moment of tonight’s show. The stage is sparse yet elegant and drumkit stage right, three mics stage left and centre stage a grand piano and two keyboards and an array of bass guitars all lit in a hazy purple hue it’s like the la

james I am going to start with a confession, I love James, they were a part of my student life and have continued to be part of my musical palate ever since. I genuinely think they are one of the best live acts in the UK and incredibly talented musicians with Tim being an amazing front man. Why am I starting with that confession, it’s simple, I don’t think this was the best James gig I’ve been to, and I’ve been thinking hard about why. Don’t get me wrong it was still great an

There are a few things you need to say about Elles Bailey before talking about how this gig was as it provides context. Firstly, she really doesn’t care what people think about her or say about her, in a very good way, she’s got attitude in spades but not arrogance. It’s the attitude of someone who has been given the chance to show good they are and isn’t going to let anything get in their way in doing so! Secondly, she has an amazing voice, her range, her control, her emotio