Gigs 2025

[Thenop]

Support act Grand Magus were decent too, proper meat and two veg METAL, a three piece with a Flying V playing guitarist, a bassist with an eight string Rickenbacker and a drummer with double bass drums. Somewhere between Manowar with a sense of humour and Saxon.

Grand Magus are the European answer to Manilla Road. Great band if a bit tedious when taken in too much.
I see the Grand magus boos has finally embraced his baldness, the near skullet he donned for years looked stupid.

[R6GYY]

I see the mighty FM are still at it. Following their current acoustic tour, they've just announced a 14 date "Brotherhood" tour for September. Tickets on sale 10am Monday, March 10 and I will be bagging tickets for Sian and myself for the Chester Live Rooms. Slightly annoyed that the Tygers Of Pan Tang are supporting on a few dates, but not this one 

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[Fishy]

Off to see The Orb and Ozrics in Glasgow tonight..

[Fishy]

Off to see The Orb and Ozrics in Glasgow tonight..

Ozrics good.. the orb bllx.. bailed out..

[Nickslikk2112]

Opeth - Birmingham Symphony Hall 28th February (Front Row) * 10/10
Von Hertzen Brothers - Bristol, Fleece, 9th March * 10/10
Hawkwind - Sheffield City Hall, 23rd May *
Von Hertzen Brothers - London, The Dome, 8th August *
Von Hertzen Brothers - Nottingham, Rescue Rooms, 9th August *
Rick Wakeman - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 19th October *

* Will also be attended by the fragrant Mrs S

[Slim]

I saw Sea Power in Birmingham last night, on their 'Soundtracks Live' tour. I knew it was going to be something a bit different - music mostly from their soundtrack albums.

Fair play to the band for doing something a bit different but it really dragged. Mostly heavy, slow and ponderous. No crowd pleasers save the final The Great Skua. Also, and unusally, Hamilton (bass player and occasional singer) had more lead vocal tunes than Yan (usual singer). Hamilton just does not sing in tune and he genuinely made me wince at least four times.

Since Woody left the band a couple of years ago his place has been taken on tour by a drummer called Tom White. He's a really powerful, technical drummer. And last night he turned up singing and playing guitar in the support act, White Magic for Lovers which is a duo with his husband Alfie. He played beautifully. Talented guy.

[Nickslikk2112]

Opeth - Birmingham Symphony Hall 28th February (Front Row) * 10/10
Von Hertzen Brothers - Bristol, Fleece, 9th March * 10/10
Hawkwind - Sheffield City Hall, 23rd May *
Jerry Cantrell - O2 Forum, Kentish Town 17th June
Von Hertzen Brothers - London, The Dome, 8th August *
Von Hertzen Brothers - Nottingham, Rescue Rooms, 9th August *
Rick Wakeman - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 19th October *

* Will also be attended by the fragrant Mrs S

[Slim]

Sea Power again last night. Much better venue (Cambridge Junction), and definitely a better setlist. Still focused on more reflectiive material. Still too many Hamilton songs. Still dragged a bit. A 305km round trip, but just about worth it.

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[pdw1]

Cambridge Junction is a great little venue

[Slim]

Cambridge Junction is a great little venue

Yes. There's somewhere for an old man to sit down at the back between sets. The bar staff are friendly. I forgot to bring my earplugs and they gave me a free pair. Good sound as well. Not many bands I'd travel that far for though.

[David L]

Blue Öyster Cult - 25th May, London Palladium
Samantha Fish - 1st June, O2 Oxford
Heaven 17 - 15th August, Cheese & Grain, Frome

[Slim]

Young Gun Silver Fox at Birmingham last night, a collaboration between Mamas Gun mainman Andy Platts and West Coast writer / performer Shawn Lee. Yacht Rock! Very good.

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[Nick]

Steven Wilson at Bristol last Saturday. Excellent as always.

[pdw1]

Steven Wilson at Bristol last Saturday. Excellent as always.

I saw him on Friday at Birmingham and Tuesday in London (with Al Murray). Brilliant both night but with completely different sets.

[R6GYY]

The Smooth Rock Show, Floral Pavilion (New Brighton), May 9, 2025

A Christmas gift for Sian, but I enjoyed it (mostly).

Inglorious, Buckley Tivoli, June 6, 2025

FM "Brotherhood" tour - Chester Live Rooms, September 27, 2025

Rick Wakeman : The Return Of The Caped Crusader Part 2, Liverpool Philharmonic, October 15, 2025