Event Reviews

We took a drive down to Whitebottom Farm near Stockport to witness some of the action at Firevolt 2025 – it was truly outstanding so check out our video review: Tickets for Firevolt 2026 can be purchased here:https://www.gigantic.com/firevolt-mcr-festival-ticketsYou can follow the bands on Facebook by clicking on their name:Eclipse Von …

PlanetMosh stopped by NY500 Cafe in Pickering to watch the video reveal of This House We Built (THWB) upcoming new single, ‘Addiction’. Why a cafe in North Yorkshire? ‘Addiction’ will be the first new single to be released from the band’s second album, and was filmed at the NY500 cafe. …

Slowly but surely, The Arena Crewe is becoming one of my favourite venues in Crewe, thanks to the vision and verve of co-owner Lawrence Thomason and his hard working team, point proven by his event on April 11th 2025, Original Bands Night. As the title says, the four bands all …

Reviewers: Alex English and Ant Firmin // Photos: Ant FirminDown a narrow staircase, beneath the low ceilings of a Halifax pub, time seems to slow. The flicker of fairy lights and the low murmur of voices give the space an almost secretive feel – like stumbling into a hidden ritual. …

Easter Sunday afternoon 2024 will always remain in my memory as West Midland based band Jayler were certainly the loudest, youngest and most flamboyant band I’ve seen at the Cosey Club in Haslington, playing at the CozyZone event. A two hour set (with no break) flew by on a barrage …

Manchester’s own post rock festival is a cinematic masterpiece

Tonight, the ‘StratMaster’ Philip Sayce returns to the UK with special guest Troy Redfern to kick off his 10-date tour in support of his latest album, The Wolves Are Coming, released earlier this year. Photo by Alex English Troy Redfern King of Slide guitar, Troy Redfern is a two-man band tonight …

With a boxing event and a gig at each of Manchester’s arenas, as well as City had just finishing their football game, and a major road closure, the result could only end up being epic gridlock in Manchester’s City Centre which in turn meant that the final mile of my …

Where does the time go? It’s hard to believe that my first Takeaway Thieves gig was an acoustic set at the Waterloo in Blackpool, June 16th 2018. It was only their second gig, the first being the night before after only nine rehearsals, opening up a five band bill to …

The long drive from Manchester to York is made even longer by rush hour traffic, what should have been a 90 minute drive ended up being 3 hours, fortunately I left plenty of time for such eventualities. Once at the Barbican the first thing that strikes me is how fabulous …

The Dead Daisies ignite the Picturedrome in Holmfirth It has been over a decade since the supergroup’ The Dead Daisies hit the scene. Let’s make some noise tonight as singer John Corabi is back, bitch, along with ‘The Meat-Machine’ Tommy Clufetos, pounding those skins!  If that’s not enough to get …

Down on the farm at Whitebottom Estates set in the idyllic surroundings of Etherow Country Park, you’ll find the location of Firevolt ‘Rock’ Festival. Who promises you three days of Face Metlting ROCK!! With an average of nine bands playing each day, the mayhem kicks off just after mid-day, giving …

A week ago today, Toronto’s The Commoners came to play the penultimate date of their UK Summer Tour at The Belgrave Music Hall in Leeds. Joining them as a special guest and main support is guitarist and singer-songwriter Madison Galloway. Madison Galloway sets our spirits free on this hot summer evening …

The March Violets – Crocodile Promises Tour gig Review

Whenever the name Amigo The Devil pops up I get an overwhelming rush of excitement. It is just over a year since I last saw ATD performing for the first time at tonight’s venue ‘The Wardrobe’ on the ‘Hungover in UK/Europe’ Tour in 2023. In support of the recently released …

At the height of the 2000s, there was a swarm of indie, garage and rock and roll bands, from Jet, The White Stripes to The Hives and of course Electic Six. The Detroit rockers took you to the ‘Gay Bar’ and gave you ‘Danger! High Voltage!’ off their bombastic debut …

Leeds based Bad Owl are promoters of truly interesting music, the stuff that can be most certainly be described as left field, and today they are celebrating their 100th event with eight bands of varying styles.  Think ArcTanGent and you get the drift although this a local party for localish …

Hard-edged grunge-rockers Vendetta Love make their first UK performance at Sheffield’s Indie-Go Resurrection bar (formerly The Devonshire Cat), tonight’s event was organised by Red Pen promotions. On stage tonight, are three blistering acts: ‘Bad Heritage’, ‘Eddie & The Wolves’ and of course Irish headliners Vendetta Love. BAD HERITAGE is a …

Tonight is the second show of Troy Redfern’s eleven-date ‘Invocation’ Headline tour at Retro Bar in Manchester. It’s great to see a few familiar gig-goers out supporting Troy. Telling them I’ve never been to Retro bar before, I’m giving a bit of a history lesson; apparently, the bar was known …

With the festival season underway we take a look back at Firevolt Festival 2023...

The Brudenell Social Club in Leeds is one of the best venues in the country, especially the iconic main room and I’ve never seen a bad gig here.  And so I return on a hot early summer evening with some the Planet Mosh crew to enjoy this sold out show.The …

Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena – let’s face it – for some of us it will always be the NEC – is a 15000 capacity arena has had a serious facelift since I was last there in 1988 and is far nicer than the MEN Arena or AO Arena in Manchester.  …

YES come in for so much crap these days because there are no original members in the band which is a load of baloney, not only are they keeping the spirit of the bands music alive they are also releasing new music – Mirror To The Sky released almost a …

It amazes me that Collateral are still a support band considering the amount of coverage they have gotten along with regular touring.  The crowd is cheering loudly as the band enter the stage followed swiftly by the energy ball that is Angelo Tristan the band launch into Glass Sky, a …

At the announcement of the When Rivers Meet tour, I was surprised they were playing a venue the size of Gorilla here in Manchester, however, it is already full when I enter so it is clear they are growing in popularity and it also means the support band are getting …

Kira Mac kicked off their 12-day tour at The Brudenell Social Club, with support from newcomers ‘Jayler’ Formed in the Midlands a couple of years ago, Jayler is the main support for Kira Mac. The four-piece classic rockers waste no time getting down to business, playing songs from their debut …

Attending something outside your usual comfort zone is good, and tonight I did just that! Not just a Blues/Americana gig, but an acoustic one to boot with Northern Irish blues maestro Dom Martin with support from Demi Marriner. And then there was the venue to account for too, being one …

A normally serene Easter Sunday was not the case this year at the Cosey Club in Haslington as West Midlands based young upstarts Jayler plugged in and certainly shook the foundations of a one hundred year old venue. I just got there in time to review the gig due to …

Mr. Big bowing out in style in Wolverhampton

Normally used for tribute bands, on February 24th 2024, the Civic Hall in Nantwich opened its doors for two originals bands, both at the top of their game, headliner Troy Redfern and support John Angus Band. Very impressively, the venue was nearly full up, with all proceeds of the evening …

It’s a typical dreary wet night here in Manchester and it is time to witness the fruit stealers strutting their stuff at the O2 Ritz.  They put on an absolutely brilliant performance in October 2021 when they played at this same venue so we are hoping for the same tonight.  …

Master of the Stratocaster, Philip Sayce is on a small run of UK tour dates, and tonight is the penultimate show at the Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, with special guest Troy Redfern. What better way to get the blood pumping and warmed up on this freezing late November evening, than …

To say I’m excited about seeing and reviewing this gig would be an understatement. The Sisters of Mercy have been one of my favourite bands for a very long time, and it’s also my first time seeing them live since June 1997. On that gig, they were supported by Cubanate …

On a wet and miserable midweek November evening, there is probably no better cure to any hump day blues than going to see The Answer. Continuing the live support of their latest album “Sundowners“, with their Wild Heart Tour, tonight is Manchester’s turn to see the Northern Irish band perform, …

From the opening notes to the final encore, they were technically excellent and delivered a heady mix of perfect harmonies and soaring guitar solos all rolled into heavy, well crafted songs.

Terrorvision ‘TV30’ By Request Show with Support from The Bar Stool Preachers,  St Georges Hall, Bradford 03/11/23 Britpop rockers Terrorvision celebrate 30 Years of bouncing hard and tonight’s gig starts with a big cheer and a sold-out home show at St. Georges Hall, Bradford. The Bar Stool Preachers Brighton-based ska-punk rockers …

Glenn Hughes is celebrating his Deep Purple years, we try to find out if lady is still saying Burn...

Multi-award-winning Blues/Rock/Americana/Roots artist Dom Martin is touring his latest album ‘Buried In Hail’. Yardbirds Rock Club in Grimsby is the host, and in its newly refurbished surroundings there are plenty of tables on its ground level come balcony area for the fans who like to be seated and there’s even more …

There is a Deathwish happening at the Ritz in Manchester, Charles Bronson isn’t here so something Fish-y must be going down..

Alex and Ant head to Rebellion Manchester to find out if Black Stone Cherry are still blaming it on the boom boom...

Blues rockers The Damn Truth returned to the UK for a six-date headline tour as well as being special guests on Glenn Hughes’s 50th Anniversary ‘Burn Album’ Tour. Alex Spy is the main support. Alex Spy (Huddersfield) and drummer Stephen Derych (Rotherham) make up the two-piece. Heavily influenced by Muse/Royal …

Blues powerhouse Jared James Nichols brings his UK Headline tour with special guests DeWolff and Silveroller to Bradford’s Nightrain in support of his new self-titled album. If you want blues rock and roll in all of its guises, then tonight you got it. The Netherlands brings its own psychedelic formula in …

LOE (Last Of Eden) are playing their recent album in full, we head to the hills to find out what it is all about...

Ba’al, Prognosis, 4GEN7 Live Review Grand Central, Manchester Live music on a Sunday night has now become a weekly occurrence at GC, and tonight was offering a tasty line up of Ba’al, Prognosis, Idio, and Sparrowhawk. However, there is a late-in-the-day cancellation from the latter 2 bands, and so the …

RadaR Festival – Day 3 – Review The final day kicks off for me with a parking spot right outside the venue – what a result! In previous years the festival had been located in Guildford in a venue that had incredibly elaborate chandeliers in the main room but it …

I’ll readily admit I was goosed after yesterday but still managed to get my weary bones out of bed as there are bands I really want to see. I am instantly entranced by Graywave as their emotive echoey vocals pour over their melancholic music. It’s brooding shoegazey post-rock and is …

The foremost progressive metal festival hits Manchester...

The seal has been broken and the cat is out of the bag! Mike Tramp of White Lion fame unleashes his ‘Songs of White Lion Tour’ Embarking on a 10-date tour of the UK, Mike Tramp tells us that this will be his final run as a ‘power-duo’ with Marcus …

The Damn Truth at The Tivoli Venue Buckley 27th July 2023 From over forty years of watching live bands it takes a lot to impress me but the set from Canadian based The Damn Truth was an almost out of body experience at the Tivoli in Buckley. The crowd and …

It’s not every day that you can quote you saw the Devil inside the wardrobe!  Well,  today I can as The Wardrobe venue opens its doors to host Danny Kiranos aka Amigo The Devil.   Tonight the dark Americana/folk singer-songwriter has brought along  Tejon Street Corner Thieves for support. Tejon Street Corner …

Magma “Flippin eck, this is torture” reads a post on a Porcupine Tree fan FaceBook page.  I have to agree. We are of course talking about Magma, a band more divisive than Marmite.  I arrive late to minimise my suffering, but still have to endure 40 minutes of music that …

Man With A Mission get all bouncy as they deliver some juicy j-altrock at Rebellion Bar, Manchester

When Rivers Meet turn in a sizzling performance at Bradford's Nightrain

Troy Redfern Having mutually decided early on that Troy Redfern would open tonight’s show, Troy takes to the stage,  booted and suited in faux leather pants, a see-through leopard shirt, and of course his cowboy hat. Redfern is joined by his touring band members Finn McAuley on drums and Kiera Kenworthy …

On a warm late spring evening a blues rock explosion hits Manchester!

Introducing Dom Martin, the multi-award-winning Bluesman from Belfast Leeds Blues Club is a somewhat new affair, hosting intimate Blues nights and located in its own room, upstairs above the main bar at The Cross Keys pub in Leeds, which is just a short walk from Leeds train station. Our host …

The Answer play a small set of intimate venues in support of their brand new album ‘Sundowners’ with support from Oli Brown & The Dead Collective The Answer is firing on all cylinders at tonight’s penultimate show. Choosing to play a set of intimate venues the band are back, playing …

Bloody club nights mean early starts and fortunately, I got here just in time for the beginning of The Utopia Strong’s set, a band who have been on my ‘want to see’ list for some time.  Their ambient electronic ramblings are wonderful and snooker ace Steve Davis hits a 147 …

An evening of piano-driven post-rock with stunning visuals provides an awe inspiring show

On paper, this is a dream line-up but things are not working out as perhaps they should. I am hugely excited to see Kalandra, their Nordic folk infused with grinding guitar sounds has been my melancholic earworm for a while.  As an opener, they are not as loud as they …

On a wet and dreary Sunday, it is heartwarming to see a venue like The Waterloo Music Bar so busy for an evening of  NWOCR, or at least I think that is what is still called, it’s a complete contrast to the progressive metal I was listening to on the …

It’s a sit-down affair tonight, at the Brudenell Social club, Leeds. Small circular tables fill the floor space as we await an acoustic evening with Ryan McCombs, the notorious singer of Soil. Adam Jerome, vocalist and guitar slinger for Less Than Hollow, got a call at 11 am this morning …

Punk and pop punk in particular is bursting with feminism and feminine energy, pushing boundaries, and it is an exciting time for this music.  Liverpudlians Piss Kitti are a major part of this movement and whilst they are completely new to me I am thoroughly enjoying them.  I am not …

There are far too many tribute bands these days and only a few truly stand out.  So when a band like Treacherous Cretins sets a path through the music of Frank Zappa then attention needs to be paid as they go forth to celebrate the music of Uncle Frank, tackling …

When the Megadeth livestream of their first-ever performance at the infamous Budokan in Tokyo was announced I have to admit I was a teeny bit curious because, of the “BIG FOUR” bands, they are without a shadow of a doubt, my favourite.  Interesting lyrics, Mr Mustaine’s snarly cynicism and some …

Post-rock extravaganza up in the hills Why do I always underestimate how long it takes to get to places, even when a quick look at Google maps will tell me quite clearly, and south Manchester to Hebden Bridge is quite a journey. Fortunately, Civil Service are only playing their first number …

British  stalwarts Saxon bring their Seize the Day  (Carpe Diem) Tour to the Barbican York, along with special guests Diamond Head and support from Untamed Silence Whitby progressive rockers Untamed Silence open the evening. Formed in 2019, the quintet fronted by Debbie Wade deliver a twenty-minute set of rocking riff …

Ayron Jones with support from Amongst Liars, The Deaf Institute 08 11 22 Amongst Liars Introducing themselves from Eastbourne, the Southern quartet brings their hard-edged alt-rock vibe. Formed in 2020, Amongst Liars has six singles and a self-titled album. Opening as they mean to go on in a fury of …

Skid Row – ‘The Gangs All Here Tour’ with support from Enuff Z Nuff and The Treatment – live review live at the O2 Sheffield, 28 October 2022 Enuff Z’Nuff Has the circus come to town, no not really, but that’s the intro tape that welcomes you to the greatest …

October Drift, bring you their headline tour in support of thier recent second album release  I Don’t Belong Anywhere, with support from Minds Idle & Low Girl at The Leadmill, Sheffield, 26 October 2022 October Drift are four best friends from Taunton, Alex Bispham (bass), Chris Holmes (drums/vocals), Dan Young …

Ginger Wildheart & The Sinners with support from Boss Caine and The John Street Revival Band at The Parish, Huddersfield, 20 October 2022. Joining forces with The Sinners, Ginger Wildheart has just released his debut album ‘Ginger Wildheart & The Sinners’. Boss Caine York’s very own Folk/Americana artist Daniel Lucas …

After two years of waiting, Swedish Rockers H.E.A.T has finally made their ‘Sign In The northern Sky Tour happen! Original singer Kenny Leckremo rejoined the band in late 2020 after the departure of Eric Grönwall, who is now fronting Skid Row. Joined by Collateral and special guests Mason Hill for …

Metal legends Anvil are on a mammoth 60-date tour playing 16 dates in the UK before hitting Europe for the rest! The band was formed in 1978 in Ontario, Canada by Anvil’s original members Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow on guitar/lead vocals and Robb Reiner on drums. Joined by Chris Robertson on …

After the successful release of their latest 10th studio album ‘Road To Eden’. DARE returns with an extensive 12-date tour, with special guest Troy Redfern; tonight is the tour’s first date. Darren Wharton formed DARE in the late 80s after the demise of Thin Lizzy for whom he was the …

Following the release of his number one album FTHC, (that’s Frank Turner Hard Core), in case you were wondering. Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls return to Leeds for their 40th show or show 2694 for the number of shows they have played to this date. It’s great that Frank …

RECKLESS LOVE bring their Turborider Tour to The Warehouse Leeds and they are joined by special guests The Treatment with support from Collateral! It may be 1st September but tonight’s show is ‘hot, hot, hotter than hell’. What was to be a co-headline show between Reckless Love and Dan Reed, saw Reckless Love …

Dirty Honey supports Rival Sons – on their 10th Anniversary of Pressure & Time Tour – gig review at Sheffield O2, 28 June ’22 The band on everyone’s lips tonight is Dirty Honey. The LA four-piece formed in 2017 has steadily risen through the rock and roll ranks. With press …

The Crescent Community Room in York is the host for tonight’s show with blues rock guitarist Eric Gales, touring his latest album The Crown. With support from Northern Irish blues guitarist Dom Martin. I was pleasantly surprised to walk into a nicely packed room at the Crescent, this Sunday, the …

I’ll admit to being late for the These Wicked Rivers party, having only seen them twice in a matter of weeks. Once at the Tivoli in Buckley giving Massive Wagons a hard act to follow and last night closing the Rock The Railway four day festival in Nantwich, part of …

Tonight the bar is set high at the Brudenell social club in Leeds this Thursday, 5th May 2022. Not because there’s any competition but the calibre of musicians is smoking hot! Contemporary blues-rockers When Rivers Meet brings their The Flying Free Tour with support from sultry-blues-Rocksmith Troy Redfern. Photo by …

The Treatment live review of their Leeds show at the Brudenell Social Club, with support from South of Salem and Piston Tonight is show number 13 of their extensive 18 dates ‘Devil In The Detail Tour’ as these three impressive bands take the stage at Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, …

I’ve been to many a great gig at the Tivoli in Buckley since the mid/late eighties and this three band bill headlined by the Scarlet Rebels is easily in my top five. A stand point of mine from watching bands since 1980 is to always watch the support bands and …

Dan Patlansky with special guest Arielle, live review at The Brudenell Social Club Leeds, April 08 2022 Tonight sees a tale of two blues continents, with award-winning South African singer/rock-blues guitarist Dan Patlansky and Californian writer, guitarist, and vocalist Arielle. Both guitar meisters in their own right are finally out …

Last minute gigs are always welcome, especially one of this calibre as a usual boring Thursday night at work was swopped for a cancelled gig in Cardiff that resulted in four amazing bands playing at the Underground in Stoke and they were that good they are now the new Fantastic …

So Girls Aloud know about ‘The Sound Of The Underground’? I don’t think so after attending the Black Coast album Outworld launch just over a week ago and I wonder if the foundations of the Underground venue in Stoke are still above ground due to the metal maelstrom unleashed by …

Next year I'm sure Badgerfest will be even bigger and better. And if John will have me I'll be there. Make sure you are too! Trust me you won't regret it.

The Wildhearts at Leeds Stylus on 18 September 2021, review and photos by Alex English

30 years ago Acid Reign played a gig in Wrexham. I lived less than a mile from the venue, was a massive fan and had money in my pocket. And yet I didn’t go. I’m not sure why not. Maybe I thought I’d catch them next time. As Homer (of …

Stonedead Festival in review - words Brain Slakk, Photos by Alex English

Eveniko Presents The Damn Truth – Now Or Nowhere Worldwide Record Release Experiment Livestream concert from a church in Montreal, Canada on Wednesday, June 9th  Montreal’s The Damn Truth delivers a truly memorable concert showcasing their new album Now Or Nowhere. Filmed in a church in Montreal. The band was …

ATREYU  present ‘Carry The Fire’  two nights of Livestreams happening on November 20th and December 4th 2020 Californian nu-metal legends Atreyu bring the fire with an online exclusive, full stage production of not one but two live sets. The first show was determined by the fans and which songs they …

Anvil – Live Stream Metal Show Review – L’anti Bar And Spectacles, Quebec City, Canada, 4th July 2020. Anvil, the band that seems to tour non-stop! Unfortunately, Covid-19 put the brakes on the early leg of their 2020 Legal At Last tour but dates have been rescheduled and for those …

Myke Gray feat Kim Jennett Live review Nightrain Bradford, 29 February 2020 Keeping rock and roll truly alive on a cold, damp, snowy Saturday evening at Bradfords, Nightrain. Myke Gray featuring Kim Jennett arrive to play the penultimate date of their self-financed tour. There’s a decent crowd in the house. …

3teeth and PIG live at the Key Club in Leeds on 04.02.2020 The Key Club is a long-standing Leeds venue that is basically a large dark dingy cellar.  The large crowd tonight looks like a sea of black, packed with an army of industrial metallers and goths.  The audience has …

Monster Magnet Powertrip A CelebrationTour at Leeds Uni Stylus 23 January 2020 with support from Those Damn Crows.   Legendary rockers Monster Magnet   ‘Powertrip A Celebration’ Tour arrived in town today to celebrate the 21st birthday of the album Powertrip, released in June 1998.  Monster Magnet lead by space lord …

Skid Row, The Quireboys, Hollowstar and Matt Mitchell ascend to Wakefield’s biggest venue Warehouse 23 for an unforgettable night. 100’s of eager rock fans queued patiently from the door entrance of Warehouse 23, lining up almost around the block for tonight’s ‘Sold Out’ show . Joining Skid Row for their  …