#gigreviews

[coralmccallum]

There just aren't enough hours in the day.....

Ok, we’re at Thursday evening and I’ve been chasing my tail all week, tryingto get myself up to date and organised to write and post this week’s blog. Not happening…. there are only so many hours in a day. There are only somany post-work hours in a day too. (Yes, I work full time in the “salt mine”.) Some of you may recall that this blog has a baby sister – my music blog-  the525toglasgow…

[the-gig-attender]

Testament - Kreator - Anthrax

Date and Loc: Nov 27, Hydro Glasgow

Who: Testament, Kreator and Anthrax are three thrash bands, each known for thrashing *very* vigorously on the 1980s. Each are of a slightly different vintage. Testament are best known for pure thrash, but veered into very mild death as the years drew on. Anthrax are the biggest draw of the night and also the brightest, poppiest sounding act of the night. Kreator are Germans.

Why am I here: I am here for the same reason three times. Each of these bands have a big-ass discography, of which, for each, I know a few albums well, most barely and some not at all.

This show, given I'd have considered seeing any of these bands individually, felt like a good excuse to commit and jump in. I've spent the last couple months doing my homework for each band, filling in the gaps in my knowledge.

My discoveries are: goth-era Kreator actually rips; Testament actually peaked with Souls of Black and The Ritual rather than Legacy/New Order; and Anthrax are simply a goofy fucking band, who somehow got even goofier when they tried to go hard in the 90s.

And as a metal fan too - the prospect of *any* of these bands playing the Hydro is just an interesting one, even if they've curtained off half the venue. Last time Anthrax were here they played the Cathouse. That is a fun jump, I wish them well, and the ticket prices are very sane. I would see your grandma at the Hydro for this price if there was three of them and if they were probably gonna play 'caught in a mosh'.

Solo: Yes - I don't actually know anyone else cool enough to be at this gig with me.

Was it good: Yeah. Fundamentally and much as advertised this felt like three sets in one - none of these bands, or their fans, are gonna feel short-changed. This is not often the case for these sorts of runs and sometimes seeing a band in an opening slot at the Hydro feels the smallest step away from not seeing them at all.

Factually, I have in fact seen Blue Oyster Cult - they opened for Deep Purple and i was there and saw and heard them - but deep down, emotionally, I do not feel as though I have seen them. I feel as though I have seen each of these bands now.

In turn: Testament had a slightly muddy sound but seemed very happy to be there. I was struck by their setlist - conspicuously low on New Order/Legacy cuts. So low that I would hazard a guess that they're follow this up with an anniversary tour specifically centred on those two records. I would catch that show.

On the other hand, I was delighted that Return to Serenity made the cut. It's their best song. I came away from the set going, you know what, their new albums have some bangers. I fully respect them centering maybe their biggest UK tour in a very long time, for all I know their biggest ever, on albums absolutely no one but their most dedicated fans have heard of.

Kreator took a similiar approach, pulling on a very broad set of albums. This is less incongruous given Kreator don't quite have a handful of defining albums the way most of their peers do. They fully commit to the bit - they are so heavy on pyrotechnics and big confetti streamers that it feels like, even if Anthrax are technically headlining and the bigger draw, they're gonna make sure they're giving the biggest show of the night. The confetti streamers were generally white, with the red streamers saved for emphasis.

One note I would give them: they sing 'Satan is Real' while surrounded by - by my count - *three* inflatable satans, so the lyric should be 'Satans are Real' or 'Satan is real and there's three of him', which you could probably make a theoretical case for as a twisted reflection of the trinty which, by repute, is the sort of thing he would do if he was in fact real, which kreator insists he is.

Anthrax I think have understood that the approx 30% of people attending for either of the other bands might not be big on them. This is why they open with a video in which Lady Gaga explains that Anthrax are good actually and that she likes them.

Their show feels comparatively restrained after Kreator - they fully centre the tunes and are musically very tight - Joey's vocals are aging gracefully. The two main bits of theatre are that, at one point, the (cool) backdrop falls down to reveal a different bit of (kind of ugly actually) 40th anniversary key art, and on 'Indians' Joey does a dance with a Native American headdress.

They make a good case for themselves live - the tunes conveyed live with a bit more muscle than they tend to capture on record. I'm glad they did well because i would not wanted to have left doubting Lady Gaga's taste or judgement. They do her proud and also Joey runs about the place like a little scamp. And they seem very glass-have-full outlook, emphasising that they're headlining to their biggest crowd in Scotland ever, not that the venue is half empty. I do think that the people in Scotland that night but not at the Hydro had made a serious mistake.

Finally - this gig makes a strong case for the 8k-ish proposed Edinburgh Park arena - there is an incredibly clear need for a space catering to bands that have no chance selling the Hydro out, but are too big to play anywhere else. Edinburgh City Council if you are reading this... if you are Edinburgh City Council and you are on tumblr reading this post,... please approve that planning request... normally i care about light pollution and stuff like that but i dont care this time.. also rehome any displaced birds/voles/etc and in a special nature reserve.

Provisional hypothetical tier listing: A (B-, A and A- respectively). But S-tier value.

[rockartfashion]

6:33 opening for Dirty Shirt in Paris at Glazart! The last concert of the year ! Review ▶️ Link in bio #heavymetal #traditionalmusic #rock #bestmusicphotography #metalcore #bestmusicshots #livereport #livemusicphotography #glazart #metal #633 #rockartfashion #concertphotography #gigphotography #gigreview #glamrock #concertreview #music #guitar #violin https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmw45tjNv9b/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

"THEY'RE THE FASTEST THING IN THE WORLD. YOU OUGHTA LIKE 'EM -- THEY'RE A PUNK MOTÖRHEAD."

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on "WHY"-era DISCHARGE on the 1981 UK summer Apocalypse Punk/Apocalypse Now Tour. 📸: Jeff G and Martin Dean.

"Singer Calvin captivates the eyeballs from the off. He's young with a rabid animal quality. Very urgent. He moves great and looks mean, lean and hungry. The sounds they make are... uncompromising. It's pure chaos played ultra-fast. No tunes, no songs, no variation. Unperturbed, I asked a few punters why they liked the band -- the gorgeous and discerning Beki Bondage likes 'em, so I must be missing the point, surely?:

"They're the fastest thing in the world." "You oughta like 'em -- they're a punk MOTÖRHEAD, and you like MOTÖRHEAD.""

-- SOUNDS, "Night of the Punk Undead," written by Garry Bushell, July 11 1981

Dis nightmare still @$!*#&% continues!!

Sources: www.pinterest.at/pin/450008187751601242 & https://punkrocker.org.uk/gigreviews/apocalypsenow.html.

[houseatthefootofthemountain]

Gig Banter- The Stroppies at The Hope & Ruin, Brighton UK, 17th July 2019

The most memorable gigs forge a strong narrative beyond the ebb and flow of the set list. You experience this best in those small venues where anyone stood next to you can suddenly slip away then magic themselves on stage. Here under the lowest lights and suspect floorboards there is the clearest sense of transformation, clear because it is exposed. It reveals itself in front of you: untangling wires and spinning cymbals; scratching heads, pointing and shrugging; poised kit and instruments waiting to be touched. Then the tuning, the routine reassurance at first solitary then shared.

‘Ready’….‘Yep’…. Whoosh- in these tiny spaces the performance is collective. We see them and they see us. You feel closer to the band because you have shared their preparation and their transition until, with a hot handshake and a joke, it is done and they are gone.

Inspired by The Stroppies  and the story that they told......

[toogigforherboots]

Arctic Monkeys-3/3/19

Fact: I love Arctic Monkeys. So that’s why I was so excited when they announced their Australian tour late last year in support of their new album, ‘Tranquillity Base Hotel and Casino’. Tickets were brought early, and the excitement levels were already high as possible. So on Sunday the 3rd of March, Bri and I headed over to the Entertainment Centre to bask in the glory that the boys from Sheffield were about to bring to us.

Now, I’m pretty vocal about my dislike for the Entertainment Centre and larger venues in general. I like smaller intimate venues. With the big venues, you’ve got to get there super early to get a decent spot and then it's just you and all of Brisbane pressed up against you. I can’t see, I can’t move, I can’t think. If that’s your idea of a good time, good for you but I think less is more. If I can’t get a decent spot up the front; I’m more than happy to grab a seat rather than battle it out with 1 million other people. Arctic Monkeys made me regret getting a seated ticket.

Bri had looked at the setlist before, but I went in blind. I did cop a spoiler via a video from the Sydney show where they opened with Four out of Five. So, I was fully ready for those smooth Nick O’Malley Bass lines to kick us off. I was dead wrong. The Fiery opening chords of Do I Wanna Know blew my tiny little mind. Say what you want about the Monkeys, but that’s one hell of a song and one hell of an opening riff. I am so glad that I didn’t know what was about to happen because in that first moment I felt alive and remade.

The Monkeys themselves looked fantastic, well suited and slicked back and oozing charisma. The statement piece of the stage was an iconic hexagonal light that would descend from the ceiling whenever they would play a song from the eponymous album. It really transformed the arena into a lonely, long forgotten casino lounge.  

Brianstorm was next and wow, if the set was just Brianstrom, I would’ve had an actual heart attack. That song goes hard as and the pit looked insane; exploding with activity.  Shout out to Matt Helders’ and that god like drumming!

A good thing was that they threw in songs that I didn’t expect. Snap Out of It was one of them. This shows how far back I have loved the Monkeys, I performed this song for a music performance assessment on cello back in high school.

The next hour and a bit was an absolute marvel to be a part of. I’ve heard some people online say that they’re soulless now, but I beg to differ. They’re not the same band they were 10 years ago, that’s undeniable. They’re cleaner cut, more polished but it would also be super weird if they were pretending to be those scrappy 20 somethings again. They’ve evolved in a way that feels very natural; they’ve taken risks that feel organic; they can’t just try and recreate the old days, they’ve got to grow up.

Where the Monkey’s really shone on that evening, was when playing songs from Tranquillity Base; One Point Perspective was unfortunately cut short before Alex had the chance to lose his train of thought, due to some dude passing out in the crowd and having to be pulled out. We didn’t even notice from up in the stands, it was only in talking to friends in the pit that we found out what happened. The title track was also a highlight; moody and atmospheric.

Four out of Five was the perfect way to finish the set.  Alex bidding the audience farewell with a simple thank you and letting the instantly recognisable video beginning to Four out of Five. It’s a weird shutter/squeak noise synchronised with the light flashes and it’s just fantastic. Like I can’t quite convey to you the feeling that area had in those opening seconds, being bathed in the red flashes, and knowing exactly what was coming next, was almost supernatural; like a collective held breath only let out with the drop of those bass lines. I’ve mentioned Nick O’Malley’s bass lines several times before, but I don’t believe enough can be said about just how godlike they are. They’re often the main focus of the Arctic Monkey’s songs but even when they’re not; they are.

And when the song comes to a head over Jamie Cook’s soaring and frantic guitar to the final “Four Stars out of Five” and immediately dropping to the final bass riff. My soul ascended. It was an out of body experience that I’m not sure I can ever achieve again.

They exited the stage and I genuinely wasn’t sure if there was going to be an encore. They had played all the songs I could think of, and I honestly didn’t know what else there was. I was still reeling from what I’d just experienced.

We did stick around, almost busting our eardrums as the noise reached fever pitch.

And man, were we rewarded. Rewarded with Star Treatment, the stand out opening track from the new album. “I just wanted to be one of The Strokes” came the screams echoing off the walls. I felt that.

We kept being treated with a song Sydney and Melbourne did not get- ‘Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High’ Again with the basslines! Such a slap!   The other cities got No 1 Party Anthem. And what a hard decision that was when I asked myself to choose. WYOCMWYH barely edged it out for THAT BASSLINE. CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED.

And finally, the big finale. R U Mine? I think you could’ve powered the entire world for a year with the energy in that room. The pit exploded. The stands exploded. It was a force of nature. What a way to farewell Arctic Monkeys; screaming R U Mine???

Highlights- My favourite favourite song is Crying Lightning and that was the only song that I definitely wanted to see, and I was so in awe of the spectacle before me that I didn’t even recognise it as it began and it’s pretty distinctive. But man, did I lose my shit when I caught on!!! Alex took a break in the bridge to pretend row a boat with his guitar, which was fun!!!

One thing that I did gain from the show was a love for the song Pretty Visitors. The chorus is something you just have to see live, it brought such a creepy atmosphere when looking over the pit, seeing the ‘pit of snakes’ in real life.

Don’t be mistaken this is still a band at the absolute top of their game, but the game has changed.

I had such a fun wonderful time and definitely recommend both the music and live show of Arctic Monkeys! Here’s not having to wait another 6 years for another tour!!! Get off the bandwagon and put down the handbook, Mack

[judeswan72-blog]

Baining 1

The beginning of a collection of events, people, underground culture and its influences. I am aiming to create a body of work that represents the things I and other people love through photography and writing.

By sharing the events I go to, inspiring people that I meet and captivating art produced by them of any form and anything that interests me.

yung lean Brixton 21.11.18

From gigs in Brixton to people’s own lives and experiences.

slowthai Camden 19.9.18

From music which I love, ranging through multiple genres, to the artists, producers and influences that ultimately make it all happen.

skepta ally pally 2.12.16

All written and photographed by myself personally.

Jude Swan.

Baining.

[royabrehl]

I had a magical time at @houghtonfestival 2022 (these were my only 3 pics) and I’ve done a write up on my blog… Linktree, bio for link 🌞💚🌳🎶✨ #houghtonfestival #electronicmusic #gigreviews https://www.instagram.com/p/Chr9dxvsPjo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[therockclubuk]

[lavida-delaluna]

New #blog on the site! Felt nostalgic and reworked #myyearinreview blog on my 2017 from #metalamino. So many highlights from that year, where do I begin. It was the first year I started going to gigs more regularly and finally caught the concert bug that I can't get rid of. I fulfilled my dream and attended BOTH nights of @gunsnroses's return to the capital (still remember the stress during lecture to get these tix haha) and also my first festival of sorts, with @greenday headlining Hyde Park for the @bsthydepark festival with @sloth_sare. Both weekends were truly epic and have left a huge impression on me. I still feel all fuzzy when I think of those days 3 years later. I would have been repeating 2017 this year in some ways but the world's got a case of a virus you might have heard about. Maybe next yr. Musicwise was very interesting. The #prog side of me was evolving thanks to @oceansofslumber and #crimsonglory and I could sum up my 2017 with just 2 albums, OOS's Winter (check this out it's epic #progressivedoom) and Crimson Glory's Transcendence (also check this out, it's epic 80s #progressivemetal). Both albums wrench my heart in different ways but are equally special in my musical journey. Click on the link in my bio to read it! https://musicismyvice4.blogspot.com/2020/05/myyearinreview-what-made-2017-rock-for.html?m=1 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ #2017 #ThrowbackThursday #tbt #gigreviews #musicblogger #musicblog #gunsnroses #greenday #hardrock #classicrock #1980s #metal #music #thelemontwigs #queen #avengedsevenfold #ironmaiden https://www.instagram.com/p/B_4g8rZAkfx/?igshid=1lfq0spfzasgd

[claudsville]

Had a great night. #gigreviews @stinkingrita #gigreview #stinkingrita https://www.instagram.com/p/B9hFKmrlhyV/?igshid=1qndq2w7xjt9o

[mysticbloom]

Chelsea Wolfe & Emma Ruth Rundle Australia & NZ - June 2022

Review up now on Everblack Podcast

Thanks as always to the legend Neville Pearce for the opportunity 🤜🤛

Thanks Amy Wylie for the images 🖤

[gigsoupmusic]

Blood Red Shoes live @ Rescue rooms, Nottingham (18/11/19)

If you're a fan of indie-, garage rock and loud and fearless instruments hen you have to listen to Blood Red Shoes. The duo from Brighton consisting of Laura-Mary Carter on guitar and vocals and Steven Ansell on drums and vocals delivered an electric performance in support of their new album "Get tragic". The stage was lit with the signature green light. Right from the get go both members of the band made it obvious that their main priority is good, loud music. The duo complimented each other brilliantly and at times completely lost themselves in musical ecstasy. And it was extremely infectious.

You could see fans from all generations. It was interesting to see how people from different ages appreciated the music of BRS. From the first not of "Elijah" the dancing started. By their melodic and extremely catchy "Don't ask" those who didn't know the band started enjoying them and no one attending the gig was standing still. The very last and their most well-known song "I wish I was someone better" ended the gig with a bang. The venue was full and there was almost no space proving how loved the band is. You should have a listen of their new album "Get tragic" as well as their older stuff. And see them live if you appreciate good music.

Photo credit: Alina Salihbekova (instagram.com/asalihbekova) Read the full article

[rockartfashion]

A Joyful Party with DIRTY SHIRT and their Guests, 6:33, in Paris at Glazart! The last concert of the year ! Review ▶️ Link in bio #heavymetal #traditionalmusic #rock #bestmusicphotography #metalcore #folklore #bestmusicshots #livereport #livemusicphotography #glazart #rockartfashion #concertphotography #gigphotography #gigreview #concertreview #music #romanianrock #romania #transilvania #folclor #folklore #guitar #violin #synth https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmwk217NJRC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ellywritesnonsense]

When The Sun Goes Down at Leeds Festival

Photos by Elly Gilvarry. Author: Elly Gilvarry

The atmosphere at Leeds Festival certainly didn’t change when the sun went down and Arctic Monkeys were due to hit the stage. Despite the weather change from glorious sun to a cold evening, there was still a sea of bucket hats to be seen. Over the bank holiday weekend of the 27th and 28th August, Arctic Monkeys headlined Reading and Leeds Festival, just ahead of their new upcoming album, ’The Car’ which is hitting stores on October 21st. 

The Sheffield based band were welcomed back to their county of Yorkshire, with plenty of fan signs confessing their love to the lead singer, Alex Turner. The band came on stage and the bass hit for Do I Wanna Know from their 2013 Album, AM. The crowd was loud and electric for Arctic Monkeys return since their last UK tour in 2018. Brianstorm created a huge sing-a-long of “duh duh duh” and so did other songs played from their 2007 album, Favourite Worst Nightmare. The band then decided to slow things down and played Do Me a Favour, Cornerstone and a new unreleased track from their upcoming album ‘I aint quite where I am’ yet’ gave fans a taster for their new album which Alex Turner has said the boys “have come back down to earth” after their last album Tranquillity Base Hotel and Casino (2018). 

The High Green band then picked back up the pace with songs from their first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006). From the Ritz to the Rubble was played and followed by their 2006 NME Award for best track, ‘I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor’. The sold out crowd danced like it was 2006, until the guitar faded out and Arctic Monkeys were due to play their last song, 505. The crowd crumbled and certainly there was tears to be seen. Turner conveyed the emotion of the song until the band went off stage. As soon as their presence descended, the crowd was eager for more and began chanting ‘one more song’ and soon enough, the Arctic Monkeys were back to play not one, not two, but three encore’s! Turner greeted the crowd with his Yorkshire shout of “LEEEDS” and played One Point Perspective, Arabella and R U Mine? Once the band had finished their set, the crowd was chanting “Mardy Bum’, a hit from their first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, but were met with a heavy disappointment that the band had finished, leaving fans eager for a UK tour for ‘The Car’, released in October. 

[houseatthefootofthemountain]

Gig Banter- QEH/SBC London 13/11/18

Dan Mangan and Laura Gibson

The room was a cavern but they cosied us in...

Laura imagined ‘passenger ship scars’ and ‘lakes dark and warm as a mouth’. Thomas ‘and Marjory, so crystal clear and deeply rich, pleaded to be listened over and over....

Then Dan, tense, rolling his head, boxing with his voice until the soft growl came through. Basket still touches the heart of ageing so honestly and Robots remains ridiculous. From standing on beer crates in Brighton to the South Bank soft seats-still so much for everyone- still manganificent.