A3 Music - Live Reviews

London’s 100 Club- it has played host to The Rolling Stones, The Pistols, The Clash, The Libertines, Blur, and now… The Computers. As the second date of their extensive UK tour to celebrate the release of album number two, Love Triangles, Hate Squares, the Exeter quintet storm London’s most loved venue with support from The Tuts and The Dead Formats.

They say that the best things in life are free. So when the chance arises to see four award winning rock bands who have flown all the way from South Korea to melt the faces of the good people of the UK, and all without spending a hard-earned penny, only a fool would choose to stay at home, sinking into the bottom-shaped groove in their favourite chair, wandering what could have happened that night at Camden’s Barfly…

Fans of up-and-coming London promoters Sleeveless Music might well be a little confused by tonight's offering, since they've managed to put on a gig where none of the bands are named after awful sexually transmitted infections, want to smash capitalism or think that Satan is just totally rad (this is my cutesy way of saying they normally do grindcore and black metal shows). Instead it's a real psychedelic freak-out courtesy of Scots hairballs The Cosmic Dead and less hairy multi-ethnic experimentalists Ethnamorte. Which is why I'm there, obviously. So are an odd mix of what appears to be mainly hippies and slightly out-of-place metal fans, but since that's the usual crowd for the Unicorn anyway it's hard to tell who's here for the gig and who just likes going to the pub on a rainy Wednesday evening.

I don't actually know how you're supposed to pronounce the name of this venue, so on my way there I'm a little worried about needing to ask someone where it is when I'm not sure where to go.

On a particularly miserable February afternoon, Deal's most dedicated rockers gathered to take part in Macmillan Fest, an all day musical fundraiser in aid of the Cancer charity.

It was at Herne Bay’s King’s Hall, on February 9th 2013, that Herne Bay Music celebrated their launch night, with a superb night of great music and community spirit, and wow, was it an impressive feat.

As a birthday present I was bought tickets to see The Hives at Camden’s Roundhouse on December 14th, as part of their Lex Hives tour. But how to describe it? I think the most fitting description would be: THE BEST GIG EVER. LIKE, EVER.

A cold, wet and windy Friday evening in Herne bay is not where you expect to find an ex member of one of the greatest and most influential bands of the last 30 years, but this is where former Oasis guitarist Bonehead [aka Paul Arthurs] and the Manchester based singer songwriter & poet Vinny Peculiar [aka Alan Wilkes] decided to perform one of their first gigs as 'Parlour Flames'.

It’s The Hoosiers’ last gig of 2012 at Margate’s Winter Gardens- it’s a very cold Friday night and the chill that comes with being on the seaside only makes it all the more bitter. I scuttle inside the beautiful venue to escape the bracing winds and of course, for some music performed by a top band.

The Cherry Tree seems pretty busy tonight, although it's also well small so it seems busy even when there's like three people in it. Safe to say there's some hype tonight though, as it's Kent boys Tyrannosaurus Alan's last gig here and Canterbury is out to give them a good seeing off.

Trading in unpredictable, Libertine-esc performances for a watered down version of pre-planned, controlled chaos, to match the successful upgrade to theatres, would be understandable 11 years into a band’s touring career.

We played this same venue a few years ago, when we first came over here

says Lights (legally changing her name from Valerie Anne Poxleitner), sounding as likeable as Miley Cyrus, whilst doing her best to make her smile look genuine.

The Steve Miller band formed back in 1967. Their first album was entitled 'Children of the Future', and you could say that that title was prophetic because 45 years later here they are live at the Roundhouse still rocking like a bunch of youngsters.

I was lucky enough recently to be invited to go and watch Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison from Ocean colour scene. They are currently touring as an acoustic two piece, with ex-Seahorses frontman Chris Helme in support.

I recently went to the first of 2 sold out shows at the Academy as part of the Apocalyptic Love Tour to promote the critically acclaimed album. Slash has had a very successful 2012 with many festival appearances as well as a very successful and acclaimed tour.

Hot on the heels of the release of their 25th Anniversary Edition of Running In The Family, Level 42 played at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone last night.

This show was the opener for the UK Leg of the Here and Now Tour. The show was a complete sell out. Nickelback have an excellent reputation as a live band. I have seen Nickelback on 4 previous occasions so had some idea of what to expect.

On a wet and windy Thursday 27th September 2012: I was taken back to the early 80's and the New Wave sounds of the brilliant Ultravox. Split into two sets, tonights concert was an amazing 27 songs long and the sound was just awesome. Gut thumping bass, sizzling synths and great guitars ensured the fans were in for a great night.

In the quiet landscape of Leicestershire, you would imagine fields upon fields of strawberries being picked, and packaged ready for a delicious summer treat...

After their raw performance at the Brit Awards, I don’t think I was the only apprehensive Blur fan at The Winter Gardens on 1st August. But from the moment the four-piece exploded onto the stage and stomped through Girls and Boys all doubts were laid to rest.