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SOS FESTIVAL / WHITTLES@TOKYO OLDHAM – Friday 5/7/24 

I decided to take the train to Oldham, which turned out to be a bit of a trek from Telford. The Metro from Manchester to Oldham was easy enough though, even if some of my fellow passengers were, shall we say, ‘interesting’ characters ! In the end I found a taxi and reached my hotel, with a few hours spare to adjust and get ready for the opening night of SOS 2024. My first time in Oldham and for this festival, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Three days and 29 bands, 30 if you count the after show gig by the crew on the Saturday night. So many to watch and despite there being no clashes between the outdoor Viking stage and indoor Skull one, I didn’t catch the whole performance of every band so apologies if I missed your favourites. 
17
July 2024
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Review: Download Festival 2024 (Part 1)

Could I name a single song? Absolutely not. Could I google any lyrics? Also, no. But will the feeling of their set stick with me for a long time? Very much so.
25
June 2024
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ASHEN REACH / ‘THE FEAR’ – EP LAUNCH with FALLING BELOW/EUROPA REIGN – GIFFARD 17/5/24  

I’ve been looking forward to this EP launch for quite some time. Ashen Reach are one of the new bands I follow, who have raised the bar, with their contemporary and innovative way of producing music. The debut ‘Homecoming’ was very special and my album of the year for 2020, it brought another aspect into modern metal and led the way to encourage bands, to break down barriers and move outside boxes.
24
May 2024
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THE BLACK CROWES / JIM JONES ALL STARS – WOLVERHAMPTON HALLS 18/5/24

I couldn’t resist the chance to see The Black Crowes in Wolverhampton, at the new refurbished Halls tonight. After bumping into an old friend and getting my pass sorted, it was up to the circle for a front row view. Must say the venue is looking good, with an added balcony to increase the capacity and some plush upgrades. After getting a drink and finding my seat, it was only a short wait before the support band came on stage.    
20
May 2024
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SPIKES QUIREBOYS / WILLIE DOWLING / MATTY JAMES CASSIDY – KKs 11/5/24 

Despite there being a multitude of gigs in the area tonight, KK’s was pretty full when I stumbled in at 7.30. This is the first time I’ve been to a Quireboys show since the big divide and what a line-up for this evening ! The T shirts said it all, displaying various tours and designs, stretching back over the decades and The Quireboys must be the band I’ve seen the most. I’ve seen them bloody everywhere and you never know what to expect when Spike is on form, oh the tales I could tell !
15
May 2024
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ALIA TEMPORA / PUZZLE TREE / ATLAS RISE  – COBBLESTONES  3/5/24 

On my way home from touring Devon and Cornwall, I broke the journey up by staying in Bridgewater overnight. Just so happened there were bands on at The Cobblestones so it was a no brainer to attend and also check this well liked venue out. A small and cosy pub in the heart of town, with the building at the rear, set aside for live music. I found it quite friendly and rather quaint, no wonder Graham Hodgson hasn’t any trouble booking bands, amazingly tonights headliners are all the way from the Czech Republic.  
08
May 2024
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SMOKE ON TRENT FESTIVAL / THE RIGGER/ NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME – 6/4/24 

King Kraken have come so far over the last year or two, it was their performance at ‘Hammerfest’ in 2020 that probably shook the band into realising they were onto something. Of course the pandemic messed their progress on the road, but this was the start of the band writing for ‘Chaos Engine’ and eventually the debut album.  They are on the road a lot this year, with appearances at the Station 18 Festival, Swansea in May, the Bloodstock Festival M2TM Grand Final London in June and several other festivals, so stay tuned via their socials.
11
April 2024
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SLASH FEAT MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS / MAMMOTH WVH – RESORTS WORLD BHAM 30/3/24 

Who wouldn’t want to be here at the Resorts World or NEC ( for those old enough to remember that name )tonight ? The queue of avid Slash and Myles Kennedy fans waiting to go through the tightened security checks, stretched back hundreds of yards and with Wolfgang Van Halen’s ‘Mammoth WVH’ as support, this was going to be an epic show. I found my seat and thankfully it was near the front, after waving to friends, who had bagged a prime position on the barrier, I noticed the atmosphere soon warmed as the arena began to fill. 
02
April 2024
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FLORENCE BLACK/JAMES AND THE COLD GUN/MUDDIBROOKE-KK’S 6/2/24 

The rain was lashing down as I made my way to KK’s. Of course the weather didn’t deter an army of rock fans from descending on the venue, as Florence Black were in town. A soaking Tuesday night and it was packed. Three bands on the bill and my first viewing of the supports. After meeting up friends and MMH photographer Dal, it was down to the front to watch the openers.
09
February 2024
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DEMENTIA AWARE FESTIVAL / STATION CANNOCK  – 20/1/24 

The first gig of the year for me, after a bit of a break, I’m starting to get back into the swing of things. What better way to get the 2024 ball rolling than the Dementia Aware Fest at the Station in Cannock. I met Dave Evans on the door and got a massive hug, so good to see him although sadly this is the last ‘Dementia’ he’s organising. As soon as I walk into the venue I bump into friends I haven’t seen for months and some have travelled quite a long way to be here today. It’s like a big party to be honest, the atmosphere is so laidback and it seems everyone knows each other, by the end of the night I’m sure we’ll all be linked on social media ! 
25
January 2024
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