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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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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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ASHEN REACH / THE FEAR EP – 22/3/24

Once you’ve discovered this Merseyside band there’s no going back. You are immersed in their music, you can play the debut album ‘Homecoming’ over and over and it remains a voyage of discovery.
21
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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WHITE SKIES HAVE RELEASED THEIR NEW SINGLE ‘IF THIS IS IT ( GET READY )’.  

With a well received debut album already in the bag, White Skies are prepping for a follow-up and major tour. Founded by vocalist Mick White ( Samson / First Strike ), guitarist Ray Callcut ( Ya Ya ) and keyboard player Pete Larkin ( Double Cross / Dante Fox), the AOR/Melodic band have rocked it up on this latest offering. 
13
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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IAN HUNTER / DEFIANCE PART 2  FICTION  –  19/4/24 

HOPE  - Draws ‘Defiance 2 Fiction’ to a close. Slow moving waves of sultriness and dual harmonies from Lucinda and Billy Bob Thornton, congeal. This is an impressive piece, it all seems to come together during this final track as a coda for the album. Almost an anthem in part and definitely so well written, that you loose yourself in amongst the chimes of those embracing guitars, synth and piano.
17
April 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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VALHALLA AWAITS / PERDITION EP  – 8/3/24 

Wales, particularly the South of the principality, has become a breeding ground for so many compelling new bands, it defies the laws of nature. Florence Black, King Kraken, Scarlet Rebels, Pearler, Those Damn Crows, Black Lakes, the list  goes on and on, there must be something in the water. Valhalla Awaits are another Welsh outfit that first
14
February 2024
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