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

It's a really good theatre apart from there is not... [more]

It's a really good theatre apart from there is not enough leg room in the seats upstairs  - not very good for people with knee problems. [less]
by Trazel from garswood

I saw Runrig at Bell College in Hamilton, Strathclyde in... [more]

I saw Runrig at Bell College in Hamilton, Strathclyde in 1986, I was a student at the time.  They were BRILLIANT.   Dirt cheap tickets, being poor students!!  Would love to see them perform again, will they come further south than Wolverhampton? [less]
by Denise W from Maidenhead

Fantastic! The new lineup is just as amazing as the... [more]

Event Date: November 25, 2009
Event Venue: Komedia, Bath

Fantastic! The new lineup is just as amazing as the previous incarnation. The atmosphere was fantastic and the band were all so friendly after the show.

Great set list, got everybody singing, dancing, clapping and stomping their feet for more. The new songs were pretty good too.

If you haven't been yet, don't put it off! [less]
by Tina from Bristol

Watched this show on Tuesday the 24th of November at... [more]

Watched this show on Tuesday the 24th of November at Southport Theatre and despite a rather small and more mature audience, the show was brilliant! I was dancing in my seat by half way through and remained there until the end! The dancing and singing was brilliant, as was the talented band. A brilliant show for all lovers of motown, from those who remember it first time round, or those, like me, who grew up listening to their mums singing it round the house! An amazing time! [less]
by Katie from Ormskirk

A brilliant venue for Rockers who like to listen to... [more]

A brilliant venue for Rockers who like to listen to their music!  Top bands on every Friday 9.30 to 11.45 ish and late bar til 1pm. Wonderful atmosphere. [less]
by Julie B from Sheffield