Kasabian Live Show review

As always I like to start a live show review with the support band. I feel it is good to give reference the support music as well as the main act as the support band are of course trying to find their way to headline big venues themselves.

Last night the Maccabees supported Kasabian at the Birmingham show and I hate to say it but they were awful, at least to my ears. Their like marmite you either like them or hate them. To me they were not good. I was about three quarters of the way back from the stage and I could barely feel the power of the set. It is bad when I could have a conversation with the person next to me without having to shout.

To be quite frank their set was sending me too sleep...

Well after such a disastrous start the countdown began until Kasabian hit the stage. Watching a timer countdown made the waiting too stressful! But it was worth it.

Blasting onto the stage with their song Bumblebee set the packed venue on fire! The whole room was bouncing from the floor to the seats. Everyone was up and jumping about to the infectious beat it was great!

Bumblebee merged into the long introduction to 'Shoot The Runner'. Serge was moving around the stage pumping up the crowd and getting everyone involved. Tom was hitting every note with his broad midlands accent which went down a treat for the us fans.

Moving through the iconic set list Kasabian mixed in the new tracks with the old creating an awesome atmosphere. Half way through the set they played the new song Eez-eh! Truth be told I have never felt a venue of that size move before but under foot the floor was bouncing!

Set list:

1. Bumblebee
2. Shoot the Runner
3. Underdog
4. Where Did All The Love Go?
5. Days Are Forgotten
6. Clouds
7. eez-eh
8. Cutt Off
9. Thick as Thieves
10. Bow
11. S.P.S
12. Club Foot
13. Re-Wired
14. Treat
15. Switchblade Smiles
16. Empire
17. Fire

Encore

18. Stevie

19. Vlad The Impaler

20. Praise You

21. L.S.F (Lost Souls Forever

I haven't got any highlights of the night I am afraid as the whole night was a highlight! If you get the chance to see Kasabian go! They are too good too miss!

Blues Rock 'N' Roll

Yeah they were
Dancin' and Singin'
and movin' to the groovin'
And just when it hit me somebody turned around and shouted
play that funky music white boy
play that funky music right!

This week I have slowly rekindled my love for funk and early Rock N Roll music. It all started when I played James Brown's cover of 'Play that funky music'. Quite a few musicians have attempted to cover Wild Cherry's song but I feel James Brown gave it the reputation it deserved because it is such a funky song.

Taking a look back at some of James Brown's iconic songs such as 'Get On Up', 'Get Up Off That Thing' and 'Sex Machine' he led the way for R'n'B and Funk music. It was quite remarkable, setting aside the society at the time. 

Moving on from James Brown I came to Little Richard. Little Richard was of course on of the original Rock 'N' Roll singers of his time. Listening to his classic song 'Tutti Frutti' whilst lounging around the house I couldn't stop myself from singing along loudly to the 50's Rock N Roll. My favourite Little Richard song would be 'Good Golly Miss Molly'. The music is phenomenal I really think more rock bands should bring back the piano in their tracks, take a look at the Quire Boys and Status Quo. They both included a piano in their music and they both have very famous Rock N Roll tracks. (It is the way forward).

Finally we come to the one and only Elvis Presley. Need I say anymore?

Well of course I'm going to say more!

Where do I start 'Jail House Rock', 'Blue Suede Shoes', 'A Little Less Conversation'? There are far too many great songs to narrow down. I came to love Elvis' music originally through my dad as he loves Elvis! Well he loves all Blues music. His famous tracks playing loudly around the house from his Ipad. I just enjoy the variety in his music, from the fast 50's Rock N Roll tracks to the slow love songs and ballads. His work is truly one of a kind and he just set the bar incredibly high that the acts of the present day can't possibly dream to live up too.

So whenever you have a spare ten minutes look back at where Rock music came from and the incredible work of the artists back in the 50's and 60's. Trust me you'll be grooving like the rest of us.

November Favourites

As there is a brief pause in my concert schedule I thought I should put up a post about my favourite music at the minute. All of my friends know I love my music so if they hear anything new they are always on the end of the phone yelling at me to take a listen. I eventually get round to it after the third time of been told. (The trick to getting me to listen straight away is to make sure I am on my laptop at the time).

So I am going to create a top ten of my favourite tracks for this November and if it gets enough views I will consider creating a favourites for the following months. So get reading!

10. Rita Ora - Radioactive

I know what you're thinking, why has she got a pop song in her top ten? And I hear you but come on admit it everyone likes a pop song every now and then. To be quite honest my sister got me listening to this song after playing it over and over again in her car. It is a great track! Brilliant if you like a upbeat song which you can lose yourself in.

9. The Treatment - Outlaw

I m not kidding you these guys are one too watch! If you listened to my advice in the earlier posts and listened to this band you will be nodding your head and agreeing with me when I say this is one hell of a rock n roll track! The bass is low and heavy,the guitar riff is dirty and the vocals are so on point they passed the point. Such good key quality's for a successful rock track.

8. Black Stone Cherry - Me And Mary Jane

Hearing this song on the radio is good, but hearing it live is electric! Ben Wells has a way with a guitar and I pray to all that is holy that he carries on what he is doing because it is working!  I love the grit to this song and the way it gets you lost. So if you a song full of sex, drugs and country rock and roll this is the one for you.

7. Shine down - Enemies

I first heard this song on planet rock when they did a Shine down trilogy and since the first time I heard it, I haven't stopped listening to it. Brent Smith really dug deep to put a metal edged spin on the Amaryllis album and it paid off immensely. All of the songs on the album are great but this one is a real shiner. (No pun intended). 

6. Slipknot - Devil In I

First album after Paul Gray sadly passed away. But Slipknot are definitely back with a punch after listening to the new single. Corey and the guys have returned to their old ways by producing fast riffs, strong beats and ear piercing vocals. IT IS FANTASTIC! 

5. Royal Blood - Come On Over 

The new boys on the block, leading the way for new British Rock music. Royal Blood have stormed the rock charts with two singles 'Come On Over' and 'Figure It Out'. Personally 'Come On Over' is my favourite. Obviously it is in my countdown! But it is partially due to it's added edginess and heavier feel, it is a proper crowd mover.

4. Lynyrd Skynryd - Simple Man

Looking back on the great southern country rock I obviously came across this band. Putting on their greatest hits CD I began to weave my way through the tracks before hitting this beauty. I don't know what it is about this track but it is just fabulous. It is a true rock ballad, the lyrics and music behind the song are just mesmerising. If you have never heard this song please, please go and listen to it! 

3. Slash - The Dissident and 30 Years To Life

Number three is a double hitter off of the new album by Slash, Myles and the Conspirators. I couldn't solely chose one they are both brilliant. The Dissident is targeted more to the new generation of rock listeners as it has a modern twist and sounds more commercial. Whereas 30 Years To Life is truer to Slash's sound, traditional hard rock!

2. Vintage Trouble - Pelvis Pusher

Vintage Trouble are a American band who produce 50's style rock n roll. Inspiration is taken from the likes of Elvis, Chuck Berry, James brown and Little Richard. I absolutely love listening to this music as it shows me where rock music originated from and who my favourite bands aspired to be like and took inspiration from. This track is a feel good track, it makes you want to get up and dance around like nobody is watching! Just writing about it makes me want to listen right now! 

1. AC/DC -Play Ball

Yes ladies and gentlemen they're back! Brian Johnson and Angus young are back fighting fit giving us a look into their newest album. This single just oozes Classic Rock. The blues cords from Angus' guitar and the raspy vocals from Johnson sets off an atomic bomb like feel in the gut. Play Ball is meant to be played in the arenas across the globe and fingers crossed they bring it to the UK!

Well they're my top ten November Favourites and by gosh they're good right? 

If you have any new music you want me to listen too and give a review please leave a note in the comments and I will surely take a look.

Just to finish I would like to say a huge thank you to you the readers as each time my views go up it gives me a huge boost and the inspiration to keep writing and keep you entertained with my constant babble! 

Lissy.C

Live Shows Part 5

As crazy season has started with one gig after another I haven't had the time to finish off posting about my past live show experiences, so here is the final hurdle!

Firstly comes three bands that I had the pleasure to see on my birthday back in April! They were of course, FM, Europe and Foreigner. I know all of you went to this tour are thinking the same thing, it was incredible!

Kicking off the night was FM, they came out to a full house of fans who were waiting to be entertained, no pressure. But I have to say their reputation proceeds them, they were really good exactly what I expected of them.

They started their short set with Tough Love, the newest song of the group. The vocals from Steve Overland were clean and powerful increasing the level of the performance. Also the Guitar work from Jim Kirkpatrick was spot on, We are unfortunately losing guitar solos with new music but these guys are keeping them alive.

BRING BACK GUITAR SOLOS!

The band also played:

•  I belong to the night
•  Don't stop
• Closer to heaven
• That girl
• Crosstown Train
• Burning my heart down

Much to soon the set was over leaving us all waiting for the next band to arrive on stage the mighty Europe!

Hitting the stage with their brand new song 'Riches To Rags' Europe charged onto the stage like a wrecking ball! Their set was dirty, hot and heavy, full to the brim with iconic songs. 

Joey Tempest the lead singer of the band hit all his notes low and high, his voice sounding straight out of the 80's. He interacted with the crowd which was buzzing with energy, cracking jokes and keeping the mood light but the music heavy! 

Their twelve song set list included:

• Firebox
• Superstitious
• Let the good times rock
• no stone unturned
• Carrie 
• Scream of anger
• Sign of the times
• Cherokee
• Rock the night
• Last look of Eden

And of course the final song was The Final Countdown! I mean if they didn't play that song the fans were sure to have rioted 'Metaphorically'. My favourite moments during gigs is when the whole crowd know a song and they sing it all together leaving the band looking impressed and not having to sing due to the sheer volume coming from the fans. 

As an overview of the set, it was brilliant. The set list had everything you could of asked for, hard rocking songs which got the crowd jumping all the way too the ballads which slowed the pace down but still having a big impact within the show it was excellent. 

To the headlining act of the night Foreigner!

Opening the set to a sold out venue Foreigner hit the stage with 'Double Vision'. The lights shot out and skimmed over the vast crowd, while the spot lights landed on the band. 

'Feeling down 'n' dirty, feeling kinda mean' was all it took to get the crowd going. I of course among many others was belting out the lyrics and dancing around like no one was watching. Which of course is who you're supposed to dance. 

Double vision drifted into head games and Cold as Ice, a classic song among Foreigner fans. To tell the truth I had never heard a group of people sing one song so loudly it was really moving. 

The set list then took a slow turn moving into 'Waiting for a girl like you'. It was one of my favourite songs of the night, as not only was the vocals and music spot on the staging and lighting that went with everything blew me away. The set couldn't have been better if they tried it was really fitting. 

Another highlight of the night was of course when they played 'Dirty White Boy'. I love me some straight hitting rock n roll. 

Kelly Hansen's vocal work was phenomenal, even though he wasn't the original singer back for some of the original Foreigner hits, he didn't half do the song justice. Especially in 'Feels like the first time' the high notes and ranges he needed to hit were smashed. 

Then onto the great Mick Jones on the lead guitar. As you know from reading my earlier blog posts I do like a good guitar solo and who better to perform them then the bands who created them. I think that is why I am so drawn to older music. It is the work behind each track musically. The way he can just work his way around a guitar and produce such great iconic sounds is truly genius. And he is English too so it just makes the fans prouder. 

 'Jukebox Hero' is there really anymore I need to say?

Well I will anyway as it was a song I was waiting for all night! As soon as the keyboard started up and the lights went down I was in the zone. If only I was up on that stage too, I would have rocked the air guitar and vocals! (I can dream). The song is just pure genius and no matter how old the song gets it will never be forgotten it will live on and always be remembered which is also what I like about old rock and heavy metal it sticks, you never forget it unlike the songs of the 21st Century.

Finishing off with the encore, Foreigner invited up both FM and Europe onto the stage to perform 'I wanna Know What Love Is.' The atmosphere in the room just changed when the song started. The song hits you like all the other Rock Ballads that are written, straight in the chest. 

Well that is all I have left to say about the night other than the fact it was possibly the best birthday celebration I have ever had! 

Thank you all for reading once again it is much appreciated!

Lissy.C

Motörhead Birmingham live show review

"EVERYTHING

LOUDER

THAN

EVERYTHING

ELSE"

That is the Motorhead way!

Starting off the night with a bottle of Becks and the purchase of the traditional Motorhead war pig tour T shirt I was fully prepared for the night a head. The night started off with the first support band The Bosshoss. For those of you who have not heard of these guys they are a seven piece country rock band from Berlin. As soon as they hit the stage they brought the power, energy and pure Rock! 

They used a wide range of instruments from the basic guitars, drums and vocals to bringing in Harmonicas, double bass, wash board, trumpets and trombones, it was sheer unique brilliance. They played a bunch of songs that were great for building up the crowd and getting them to interact with the band. 

Finally even though this was the first time I had ever seen or heard of them they did finish up with a cover of 'Word Up!' The country twist and break downs were fantastic! I would really love to go and see them again, Fingers crossed it'll be soon, as they are a band I will not forget in a hurry and I personally suggest you go and check them out. They were and are epic!

Second on the bill was The Damned, British rock band from the seventies lead by Dave Vanian and now guitarist Captain Sensible. The band came out with a punch, I will admit I have never really listened to The Damned that much so I am basing my opinion solely on Thursday nights performance. 

The songs they performed were well taken by the fans in the venue who were cheering on their icons as their set rolled on. The stage work and lighting was phenomenal, it helped make the performance. To finish the set they did of course play 'Smash It Up'. One of the songs I did actually know which was great!

Both support bands were absolutely fantastic and I think Motorhead made a great choice in picking them specifically for the tour as they opened the night up, getting all the fans ready and pumped up ready for the headliners which we were all anticipating  for after the disappointing cancellation of their last UK tour earlier in the year. 

Finally we come to our head lining act. Ten minutes before the show started and the final music checks were been made you could feel the atmosphere beginning to build. Also the volume coming from the amps as they warmed up just gave you a warning what you were about to be hit with because by god did those amps shake the room when the first song rang out.

You just can't begin to comprehend the sheer volume that floods a venue when Motorhead hit the stage, you have to be their to experience it for yourself. 

The band pulled out some iconic songs such as, Dr Rock, Rock it, Overkill and of course Ace of Spades. The music was spot on, all the riffs were clean and clear. Lemmy's vocals were superb! His voice hasn't changed a single bit, still gruff and menacing as ever. 

The band interacted with the crowd excellently cracking jokes and producing witty comments which left us all chuckling with laughter.

My highlights of the night:

Mikkey Dee left the crowd watching on in awe as he worked his way expertly round his giant drum kit, hitting out rhythm after rhythm in and out of his solo's. But his solo was immense! His still blonde hair was flying about along with his arms as he hit out his classic loud beats. It left us all cheering for more as it unfortunately ended.

Final song of the night was of course Ace Of Spades, and to make the moment even sweeter we watched as Philthy Animal Taylor and Fast Eddie Clarke joined Lemmy, Mikkey and Phil to play the final song how it was originally. It was a surprise which we all relished in, it was electric!

And to finish off the encore 'Overkill', it ended the night with a bang! I can still hear the faintness of ringing in my ears still. I highly doubt I will ever see Motorhead again but I am extremely grateful to have seen them possibly on their last tour. If you were there too, you will agree with me it was a night you wont forget in a hurry.

'WE ARE MOTORHEAD AND WE PLAY ROCK N ROLL!'

Thank you for reading, I appreciate it immensely!

Lissy.C

Airbourne and Black Stone Cherry Live Review

Thursday night I went to the LG Arena in Birmingham to go and see the Hard Rock band Airbourne and the country Rock band Black Stone Cherry. The night started off with a pint of lager and the sound of the support band Theory Of A Deadman in the background. Unfortunately I only caught the final two songs of their set, 'Drown' and 'Bad Girlfriend'. But from what I heard I would give them a positive review, I would like to see them support another band where I can see them perform a small set. 'Bad Girlfriend' is actually my favourite song by the band and I feel they performed the song extremely well. The singer hit all the notes and sounded good live, also the music was good.

Next came the band of the night!! AIRBOURNE!

They opened their Hard Rocking set with 'Ready To Rock'. The band came rushing out hitting their marks prepared to give Birmingham a show never to forget. The crowd roared to life, beer started flying everywhere as fans started cheering and throwing devil horns in the air. The wall of Marshall Amps where cranked up to 11 flooding the venue with the epic riffs we have come to love!

They followed up the opener with 'Too Much Too Young Too Fast' which provided the fans with the classic dirty rock sound which we all know and love! Joel and the guys interacted with the crowd getting everyone in the arena to clap along in the breakdowns as the rocking guitar solos broke out from the white Explorer.

Joel of course began to break out the booze and the sweet talk with the ladies of the audience. 'Girls In Black' filled the venue and the crowd began moving again. During the breakdown Joel told all the guys to get the ladies on their shoulders lifting the show off of the ground. Of course he bribed everyone who got in the air with beer! (I was too far back to get a beer). 

I love it when bands talk with the crowd and crack jokes, it just shows they are just like everyone else in the arena, just better a music! 

The hour show went by far too quickly! They ended the set with 'Runnin Wild' one of the songs off of their first ever album. I could of quite happily watched that show for another couple of hours as it was that epic! What also amused me was the amount of Airbourne T-Shirts floating around the venue. There was by far more Airbourne fans than Black Stone Cherry Fans.

When they left the stage and we went off for another pint we all said Black Stone Cherry where not going to be able to top what they just did. And to be brutally honest they didn't. I prefer the hard hitting Dirty Rock N Roll Airbourne provide. And I think a lot of fans agreed with me as some of the fans left after their set. It is just like the Def Leppard and Motley Crue tour where Motley Crue blew the headliners Def Leppard out of the water! 

So overall three points:

• Epic Live Show and performance.
• Great interaction with the fans.
• Will I be going to see them for a fourth time? YES! 

This leaves us to the headliners Black Stone Cherry...

They opened the show with 'Rain Wizard' off of their new album and to give credit where credit is due they performed it really well they gave a good opening to the show following it up with 'Blind Man' and 'Me And Mary Jane'. 

The opening songs where brilliant the whole crowd was getting behind the band and cheering. It went down a storm. But for me the middle of the show went down a few notches, they were not firing on all cylinders. But it didn't bother me too much as I new pretty much all of the songs and I was a little bit drunk causing the show to still sound good, (thank you for booze!). 

In the middle of the set they performed 'Things My Father Said' and the band let the crowd sing the whole song as pretty much everyone knew the words and were getting involved. And to be honest it was a great moment especially for the band hearing over 8000 fans singing your song and you not needing to help them out.

Ben Well's stole the show for me running around the stage with his long blonde hair rocking out with his Les Paul guitar he was gorgeous! (And I think all the ladies agree with me). 

Finally the set ended with 'White Trash Millionaire' and of course the classic 'Blame It On The Boom Boom'. Those final two songs ended the same way as the first four started. With lots of power and energy! Black Stone Cherry are like Marmite, you either like it or you don't and I like it but I feel they were not the best on the night, they were overshadowed by Airbourne. 

Heads up! They did film the show so if they release a tour film in the near future it is the Birmingham show they filmed at.

Well that is all for this post!

Next post will be a must read as I am reviewing the MOTORHEAD show!

(Yes I am lucky enough to be seeing the greats!)

Lissy.C