Reviews and Recommendations: rock

Reviewed by Mr Hippy Dave
After the show at Crewe the day before, I have to admit I was expecting a lot of this, the last date on Karnataka's Autumn tour. The Point is a fantastic little venue, too - one of my favourites, if I'm quite honest - so I... [more]

Event Date: October 27, 2008
Event Venue: The Point Cardiff

Reviewed by Mr Hippy Dave
After the show at Crewe the day before, I have to admit I was expecting a lot of this, the last date on Karnataka's Autumn tour. The Point is a fantastic little venue, too - one of my favourites, if I'm quite honest - so I was in a great mood from the moment I walked through the doors. Perhaps this all coloured my thoughts on the show, but for me this was definitely the best I've seen the band since the fracturing of the original line-up.

Clearly there was something in the air. Perhaps it was merely the absence of the technical issues that had dogged the band's set at Crewe, perhaps it was because the show probably qualified as a 'homecoming' gig for Welsh Karnataka founder member Ian Jones, perhaps the band just sensed the positivity being broadcast loud and clear by the small but hugely appreciative crowd... perhaps it was a combination of all these things, but it was clear as soon as the band took the stage and launched into a very powerful and assured rendition of the new instrumental track State Of Grace that they were out to make a point. I had very much enjoyed the band's 2007 tour (which they mounted with a different drummer and no backing vocalist), but this was quite evidently a whole new band, not in terms of personnel, but in their attitude and self-belief. There was a very different vibe coming off the stage: it reminded me instantly of the feel-good up-and-at-'em vibe of the best shows by the original line-up - and there's no more fulsome praise than that.

The whole show was simply a string of highlights. The new material was every bit as impressive as it had been at Crewe; more so, in fact, since the technical issues that had affected that show were entirely absent here, meaning that State Of Grace and Your World (the two tracks most affected by the problems at Crewe) sounded even more convincing and powerful than ever. In fact, Your World is such a memorable and contemporary-sounding song that I'm surprised the band haven't picked it out as their forthcoming single (having opted for the beautiful but perhaps less immediate Moment In Time), with a chorus as addictive as crack cocaine. It was quite evident that vocalists Lisa and Philippa love performing it, too. All seven new tracks were a real treat, particularly the passionate Moment In Time, the aforementioned Your World and the fabulous The Gathering Light, clearly a fan favourite in the making.

That's not to say that the older material suffered by comparison, though. Whilst it lacked a little of the variety of the new material, there's no arguing with the widescreen drama of songs like After The Rain and The Journey, the epic celtic rock of The Storm, or the effortlessly moving and highly emotive balladry of Heaven Can Wait or the sublime I Should Have Known (back in the set after the unexpected substitution with The Right Time for the Crewe gig). The current line-up really have reclaimed these songs - their performances of some of them (notably the songs from the Delicate Flame Of Desire album, for some reason) were rather tentative on the 2007, but on this tour the band's performances of these back catalogue favourites was nothing less than stellar. Perhaps this, more than anything else, is indicative of the band's growing confidence in their own ability to do the material justice. Particularly impressive tonight were the renditions of Time Stands Still, which has never rocked harder; I Should Have Known, which possessed an electricity that I've seldom heard it equal before; and an absolutely blinding, show-stopping performance of The Journey, a simply stunning rendition that even Sirius-era Clannad would have envied.

The regular encore of The Serpent & The Sea brought things to a close with some style - initially probably my least favourite of the new songs, repeated live performances have brought out the strength of the sea shanty-style melody and a lyric I can really identify with. By now the crowd were well and truly won over, if they hadn't been already, and as the band took their traditional stage-front ensemble bow, it was evident from the wide smiles and laughter that the band were well aware that they've taken a giant leap forward with this string of dates. At the end of the day, it's been over 4 years now since the dissolution of the original line-up, and the new-look band have essentially had to re-construct an audience from scratch, a challenge which they've risen to with real style and a commednable can-do attitude. On this form, the sky really is the limit!

Roll On 2009 for the release of the new album "The Gathering Light" With a bigger UK tour and some festival appearances to follow! [less]

Eighty per cent of this line up were at University of Kent in 1972 for a gig that set  the hall alight.

This was the nearly early days when Steeleye had matured into a major innovative and easily recognisable  force.  They took over the mantle from Fairport and... [more]

Eighty per cent of this line up were at University of Kent in 1972 for a gig that set  the hall alight.

This was the nearly early days when Steeleye had matured into a major innovative and easily recognisable  force.  They took over the mantle from Fairport and developed electric folk into something instantly recognisable and appealing to a wide audience.

The style is innovative and the range broad, but their instantly identifiable sound is that of old fashioned and traditional instruments electrified and then blended with modern rock methods.

As the members of the band age, so does their audience even though they attract a growing interest from younger generations.  They perform only intermittently and are more valued and sought after for that.  But the sound and use of the instruments and the lyrics is so much their own that a tribute band... well I don't think so.  But then could Maddy's daughter - Rose - bring together STEELEYE 2 and carry on the legend? [less]

Wow - what a concert!! I've seen them once before on the Zoo TV tour and this was way better. We got last-minute cheap tickets, so didn't expect a great view & we got what we expected - but the band and the music more than made up for it... [more]

Event Date: August 15, 2009
Event Venue: Wembley Stadium

Wow - what a concert!! I've seen them once before on the Zoo TV tour and this was way better. We got last-minute cheap tickets, so didn't expect a great view & we got what we expected - but the band and the music more than made up for it - and unusually for seats, everyone around us was really into it as well. Apparently they change the setlist every night & tonight's was way better than last night according to their website. It was my wife's first U2 gig & first time at Wembley Stadium & she loved it - despite not knowing all the words of the older stuff.

Highlights for me were the mental disco-bongo remx of the new single I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight and the slower One and Faraway So Close (Until The End Of The World), but in truth, there were no duff songs & the crowd had a blast!

As for the "see everything from anywhere" claim - I can say it isn't true - especially from Level 5 of Wembley Stadium.

Finally a word about the support acts - The Hours seemed good and got the early crowd going, but the sound was awful & the drummer drowned out the singer most of the time. Glasvegas were really boring - can't put my finger on why - the singer has a big voice & was giving it some, but it didn't get the crowd going at all - and they have an odd standing-up drummer woman who only has two drums and a cymbal - it looks really strange!!

To summarise - everyone go & see U2 in concert before you die - even if you hate them - they'll convert you!! [less]

If there was any band that had reason to be weary in the least of heading on stage it would be Limp Bizkit. For a few reasons, namely because of Machine Head (always a tough act to follow) fans chanting the expected "F*** Limp Bizkit" and possibly showering the band... [more]

Event Date: August 2, 2009
Event Venue: Knebworth House

If there was any band that had reason to be weary in the least of heading on stage it would be Limp Bizkit. For a few reasons, namely because of Machine Head (always a tough act to follow) fans chanting the expected "F*** Limp Bizkit" and possibly showering the band with an array of boos and bottles (remember Summer Sanitarium - Chicago?). But as soon as the music hit and the original line up began forming on stage starting with DJ Lethal, the total opposite had happened.

After their storming performance at Download this year, the band continued their momentum and high stakes energy at Sonisphere opening with 'My Generation' - a perfect hit for reacquainting with the fans. Wes Borland, one of the main creative forces within the band didn't miss a step with his white body paint, blue-dyed hair and effortless communication with the crowd. Sam Rivers played bass like his life depended on it and that's a compliment to his obvious dedication to every track played during the set. DJ Lethal remained flawless keeping the set intact with his scratch interludes and a focused John Otto on drums. Fred Durst was on top form and at one point coming off stage for the right reasons - joining the fans at the front row. He also took time to address his respect for Machine Head and Nine Inch Nails which was followed by the track 'Hot Dog'.

The set closed with a blistering performance of 'Take A Look Around' where Fred Durst asked the crowd to join in by kneeling or sitting down before the song would erupt for the final chorus. The crowd without hesitation did so, contributing to a great performance. A true highlight of the event along with perhaps the most emotional set from Nine Inch Nails. [less]

I've become a huge fan of Jools and his Big Band after fist seeing them live 5 years ago. Since then, my sis and I have been to see him live every December - it's become a wee tradition now!
He immediately gets the audience clapping, tapping their feet or up... [more]

I've become a huge fan of Jools and his Big Band after fist seeing them live 5 years ago. Since then, my sis and I have been to see him live every December - it's become a wee tradition now!
He immediately gets the audience clapping, tapping their feet or up dancing as soon as he starts playing and interacts with them, getting a bit of audience participation going too! At the end of each gig, we all join in singing the same song year on year, which leaves you hungry for more. He always finds great supporting artists, whether it's his old mates from Squeeze, or relatively unknowns. His guests have included Lulu, Solomon Burke (remember 'Cry To Me' from Dirty Dancing?!), Eddi Reader and this year's fabulous surprise guest, Marc Almond. Ruby Turner always tours with him too; she has a phenomonal voice and again, has the audience up dancing and joining in.
If you love Jools but have yet to see him live, go see him on his December tour - you won't be able to stay seated! [less]