Reviews and Recommendations: urban

Have recently discoverd the talents of Aynsley Lister - I had been missing one of the greatest talents on the blues rock scene. Last night he wowed the audience in Crawley with some brilliant guitar playing and fine vocals, in an intimate atmosphere.

Playing songs from his new 'Equilibrium' CD... [more]

Event Date: April 16, 2009
Event Venue: The Hawth, Crawley

Have recently discoverd the talents of Aynsley Lister - I had been missing one of the greatest talents on the blues rock scene. Last night he wowed the audience in Crawley with some brilliant guitar playing and fine vocals, in an intimate atmosphere.

Playing songs from his new 'Equilibrium' CD and old classics like Purple Rain (stunning rendition) he showed what an amzing talent he is - go see him, now! [less]

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... [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]

Only into Ruby Turner in the last year and managed to get tickets to see her in Bristol last week.  Brilliant!  A small, cosy gig and we were as close to the front as you could get.  Her voice is so pure. Good range of songs chosen.... [more]

Event Date: February 20, 2009
Event Venue: Fiddlers Bristol

Only into Ruby Turner in the last year and managed to get tickets to see her in Bristol last week.  Brilliant!  A small, cosy gig and we were as close to the front as you could get.  Her voice is so pure. Good range of songs chosen.  Would advise anyone who likes her to get tickets for any next performance. [less]

N-dubz was in stockport on 12.11.08 for the 2008 christmas light switch on, they proformed 3 songs, Ouch, I swear and pappa.
me and all my friends went down just to see them and they were great!
really relly really love N-dubz and have been playing their songs over and over... [more]

Event Date: November 12, 2008
Event Venue: Stockport

N-dubz was in stockport on 12.11.08 for the 2008 christmas light switch on, they proformed 3 songs, Ouch, I swear and pappa.
me and all my friends went down just to see them and they were great!
really relly really love N-dubz and have been playing their songs over and over again for months now!
I'll defo be the first person at HMV doors on the 17th November 2008 to buy their new album, cant wait. and when N-dubz come to Manchester to do a gig i'll defo be there. Love u guys standerd! xxxxxx ps. i will meet u one day properly as the police wouldnt let us upstairs in stockport where they were last night! tight!!! so close so close haha xxxxxx [less]