Recent Reviews and Recommendations

I cannot emphasise enough how utterly brilliant and exceptionally wonderfully... [more]

Event Date: Friday 6th November 2009
Event Venue: Durham Gala Theatre

I cannot emphasise enough how utterly brilliant and exceptionally wonderfully great this man is. Daniel Kitson is constantly superb from start to finish.  Fairly priced tickets and his set ran for roughly 2 straight hours. No break, no support act, just 2 hours of perfect Kitson comedy.

Rather than seeing a comic that might make you smile or giggle, Kitson literally left the crowd in fits of continuous laughter. I'm not writing this to sell the show more but people were wiping tears from their eyes they were crying so much and for a comedian there cannot be any greater response. People rocked in their seats and struggled to catch their breath the laughs came so quickly.

One gift to Kitson's comedy is that it isn't just gag after gag. He leaves the audience with a moral to his story as his shows are based on one big moment in his life and how things have happened to him and how these things affect us all in the real world. In between jokes he'll give poignant little speeches based on emotions and actions and how everyting is part of reality.  Rather than live life to the full, just enjoy what you want and do what makes you happy (within reason and in the law) and if you can have a sit down while doing so, result.

If you've never heard of him, go his website or itunes and get his 2004 and 2005 shows as podcasts for free.

He too plays small theatres which is a bonus. Large arena shows ruin comedy. The more intimate the venue, the more comfortable the setting, the more local the crowd and the more comfortable the seating. He will never do arenas. If he were ever as big a name as Lee Evans or Bill Bailey (as good they are), be assured he would never play a big show. Kitson keeps himself quiet and as such does not print tour leaflets. You have to sign up to his newsletters, get alerts here or regularly check your local theatre websites for upcoming dates.

Forget Christmas DVD sellers and arena sell outs, Daniel Kitson is without any doubt the best stand up on the circuit and leaves everyone else standing, sitting, in the dust etc

He is just too good. Just see him if you can and love it for what it is. A five star, 100% funnyman who isn't afraid to say what he thinks. And what he thinks of is comedy gold. [less]
by Sean Prower

Either I'd forgotten just how good a Southside Johnny gig... [more]

Event Date: November 2, 2009
Event Venue: The Globe, Cardiff

Either I'd forgotten just how good a Southside Johnny gig can be or he got even better! There were a few changes from the last time I saw Southside:  a little more facial hair, the trademark shades being discarded early on, and the ever changing line up of the Asbury Jukes.

But much remained the same, including great musicianship from the eight strong backing band,  featuring a strong horns section (sometimes reminiscent of the Memphis Horns sound), keyboards, drums, lead and bass guitars.

There were the trademark gestures and the false starts: Johnny deciding he didn't want to do this song right now when he was a few lines in, killing the band when they chose a number he didn't want tonight or stopping a band member who'd outplayed their solo.  He certainly likes to control the show and make decisions on the fly - you wonder if it gets frustrating at times for the band, although I guess they know what they are going to get.

But when it all comes together it's truly glorious: the anarchic and spontaneous nature of a Soutside Johnny performance making a refreshing contrast to some well-known bands working though their stale set lists. In then last few years I've seen both the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen with the E-street band in Cardiff's Millennium stadium and hardly enjoyed them. They'd lost whatever it was that delivered those great experiences years ago. This was much more fun, with even Springsteen's own numbers like "Love on the Wrong Side of Town" sounding better here.

There was a lot of humour in the performance and the interaction with the crowd - never far from the stage in this wide and shallow small venue - was certainly entertaining. It's not often you get an audience member asked up on stage to sing chorus lines in Welsh!

If the lyrics were mostly about frustrated love, break-ups and heartbreak (inevitable with so much blues and soul influence), the sound was truly uplifting. As the gig progressed there was an increasing emphasis on crowd-pleasing numbers with sing-along choruses - I'm still hearing songs like Talk to Me and Walk Away Renee, days after the concert.

Above all, there was total commitment. On stage for a non-stop two and a half hours, Johnny left the capacity crowd with big smiles on their faces. Best gig I've seen in Cardiff this year. [less]
by Paul S from Cardiff

Dame Cleo Laine was in the audience for this concert... [more]

Event Date: October 27, 2009
Event Venue: The Stables

Dame Cleo Laine was in the audience for this concert (we are extremely thankful she and Johnny Dankworth have built this wonderful theatre). Everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable night of virtuoso performances from this quartet (over 2 hours). Whilst I'm not a connoisseur of jazz, just intrigued by the advert - and having heard some Grappelli many years ago (with Yehudi Menuin) - I could appreciate that this was a masterclass in pushing this jazz improv style. Interpretations included Bach Fugue, Handel's Air and Gershwin; along with Grappelli classics, and some wonderful original material - playing conversations with amongst these four. All beautifully performed. Great usage of electric violin foot pedals: fuzz boxes and wah wah. Christian announced he was inspired at the age of 5 way back in 1978 by a concert by Stephan Grappelli at this very venue - I'm sure the master would have been delighted to have heard this show! Highly recommended [less]
by Phil & Sheena A from Northampton

Now i'm not gonna lie....I love The Maccabees. I always... [more]

Event Date: October 10, 2009
Event Venue: 02 Academy, Leeds/Elbow Room, Leeds

   Now i'm not gonna lie....I love The Maccabees. I always have. So if this is a little biased, i do apologise.
In the past year, I've seen them tens of times, literally. Living in Brighton until recently had provided me with the opportunity of following their progress since the release of "Wall Of Arms", and so tonight as their tour drew to a close, I was saddened to think of the months they would now disappear for, much like they did after "Colour It In".
  It's not just the music, even though it is faultless. After following them round for the best part of a year, it's no longer much of a surprise to them that I'm at a Brighton/London gig, so as I bound over to Felix before the support band starts he greets me like a long lost friend and asks "What are you doing in Leeds?" The Maccabees are the sweetest boys you will ever meet. The charming shyness, the eagerness to please, the genuine love, attention and care they show fans. Likelihood is if you've met them, they'll remember you.
   Post Felix chat and support band it's time for them to take to the stage, opening with "No Kind Words" states their dominance on the stage, and they proceed to charge through a collection of favourites.."X-Ray", "Can You Give It" and the resurrection of the much loved "Latchmere".
   Orlando calls a halt to proceedings towards the end of "Precious Time", a scuffle breaks out in the standing area and from the stage Orlando shouts "OI! What Are you doing?" I don't care who started it, you're not at school"...and then proceeds to finish the song.
   Die hard fans are treated to B sides such as "Accordion Song" which alows Felix to take centre stage and then onto his little brother Hugo for a heart-warming "Hearts That Strangle".
   I know the drill, once you hear the brass section of "Love You Better" start up, you know it's the end of the set. I find myself thinking I just wish it was the start again, I'm tired and my throat hurts but I'd give anything to go back an hour.
   So that's the end.......no. There's the after party, where the White brothers take to the DJ decks. Beastie Boys, Outkast, MJ....they get more perfect by the minute.
   And so that's it. The Maccabees tour. The Maccabees second album. They blow kisses as they leave, as we drunkenly tell them this is our last encounter for a while. But when they come back...with a third album...make sure you go see them. Please. Because if anyone appreciates it, it's them. So boys...just don't leave it too long! [less]
by Jaimie from Sheffield

I've seen The Rapiers live on four occasions now, and... [more]

Event Date: Sept 2007
Event Venue: Shadowmania

I've seen The Rapiers live on four occasions now, and am knocked out by the sheer professionalism, authenticity of sound and musicanship which is always to the fore of each performance. They go to inordinate lengths to ensure that they replicate perfectly the original Shadow sounds, so much so that Bruce Welch himself says that The Rapiers are the best in the business.  The lead guitarist, Colin Pryce Jones, is a great guy and a perfectionist, and if you close your eyes during a performance you would swear that you are listening to Hank B Marvin.   His equipment is the same that Hank used, even to a piece of fag packet paper under the guitar nut, just to create that same 'twang'.  He has scoured everywhere for equipment that was the same as Hank's and has put together an awesome array of it, all in the name of authenticity. And what a result. It's mind blowing to hear him play.  I have all The Rapiers CD's and never tire of listening to them. I would urge anyone who has not yet had the privelege of hearing them live to grab your tickets for the next show near where you are, you'll rejoice that you did, believe me, and I'd bet you too will be after the CD's as well.
Long may this brilliant band perform.
Mike Burrows, from Cheshire. [less]
by Mike from Northwich

Gary Numan came in to the consciousness of the pop... [more]

Event Date: November 19, 2009
Event Venue: Millennium Music Hall


Gary Numan came in to the consciousness of the pop public in 1978. Many critics thought that his alien attack would vanish in to the electronic ether. However, the man born Gary Webb has ensured that his ongoing wizardry has had an indelible effect upon our aural annals, and his songs have also been covered or sampled by a random range of artists, e.g. The Foo Fighters, Damon Albarn, Smashing Pumpkins, Marilyn Manson, Beck, DJ Hell, Basement Jaxx and Moloko. This band of performers crosses many musical boundaries, and as such the cynics who have regarded Numan to be pretentious and bombastic have failed to acknowledge that this seminal synthesiser star is as still as vital as ever. Numan is an innovator who would rather satisfy his own artistic needs than be driven by media acceptance. Numan can also count upon the support of a loyal and obsessive fan base that has made a lifetime commitment to The Pleasure Principle pioneer; and, these electric friends came out in force to witness their hero at the Millennium Music Hall, Cardiff.

Numan programmed his yesterdays forward to the tomorrows world that he always sought, and the bright lights of the stage masked the dark delights of a six piece band that is hell bent on producing power! The technological trickery drives a traditional template and then the roles are reversed as the emphasis meanders between art rock exploration and heavy machine execution. This is not a greatest hits package even though there is plenty of gas in that tank-but, this is an evening of the past creating the future and then the clocks are then diverted to an as yet unvisited time zone that occupies another distant planet!

The devotion of the crowd to the hammer of their god is a site to behold and Numan responds with humble courtesy and a lengthy encore. The cries of 'Numan! Numan! Numan!' echoed around a sweltering auditorium, and the Music for Chameleons on offer proved that it was not robotic rock for disenchanted Daleks! The Numan call of Me I disconnect from You was not indicative of the atmosphere of a vibrant venue on a bitter winter night as a special bond joined a warrior and his worshippers! [less]
by Rob Jones from Tonypandy

Tha Hanbury is a lovely little club open to everyone.... [more]

Tha Hanbury is a lovely little club open to everyone.  it has just changed hands,  so it will be interesting to see what the new team do!  Can't wait for Mean Poppa Lean next month... [less]
by Nick from Brighton

I've seen Tony live several times over the last couple... [more]

I've seen Tony live several times over the last couple of years & agree absolutely with all the comments on this site. Jaw-droppingly accurate, funny & such a lovely person when you get to meet him. Tony - you're wonderful. I love you! [less]
by Lesley

fab night out - if you have the chance... [more]

Event Date: November 12, 2009
Event Venue: Parc & Dare Theatre

fab  night out - if you have the chance to see rich hall live you must go and see him - i laughed all night- very close up and personal venue - great to see such a professional and approachable comedian at close quarters  he had the audience laughing all night and we have  had friends and family listening and laughing to his cd ever since....loved it ! [less]
by Gaynor from Pontsarn

I v been a fan of mickey flanagan for over... [more]

I v been a fan of mickey flanagan for over 5 years now saw him in york in march 2009.over 2 hours of non stop stories and anecdotes,a certain type of humour which is mine,if you are on the same wavelength then mickey is your man,a quality night out,and if you are out you may as well go out,out.Quality Michael! [less]
by john from barnsley