Winterstorm

I had never been to a Focus concert before. I took a chance since the little bit of music I heard was good, and it was as expected for a concert of a band you've never really listened to much because they weren't making new stuff.

They are not a vocals heavy band like most people are used to, so you have to know that going in. They played their Hamburger Concerto, which was great- I like that one. They have a wide range of instruments, like a flute, drums, a keyboard, et cetera. It's really phenomenal. The venue was pretty big, and spacy which meant the sound traveled well and you could hear it from wherever.

The crowd was more quiet than I would have expected, but I guess that's because the music was almost classical in nature- like a classic/ rock hybrid. I'm really glad they are back up and touring. It was a shame when they broke up in 1978. This reunion tour could be a big thing if they keep up what they've been doing. They aren't quite traditional, but they are really, really great. I'll be tempted to get tickets again the next time they are around.

FM are never a disappointment. Always great value for money. They give their everything and seem to enjoy it as much as the audience does. They create a wonderful atmosphere so the audience naturally joins in and sings their heart out with them. A fantastic experience. Can’t wait for the next opportunity to see them!

I saw Mostly Autumn at HRH Prog VI last weekend. Pretty good but I was still disappointed they did not play any/more tracks from their most recent albums.

I guess it is difficult for bands with a long history like theirs to keep all their fans happy - not everyone will have the same perspective as me. But having seen the band about half a dozen times over the last decade or so, my take on them is that they used to be mid-table in the Championship, but after a few player changes they were shooting up the table with their last two albums, Dressed in Voices and Sight of Day, both of which are excellent, well thought out albums in the prog mould. Certainly in the play-off places with a chance of automatic promotion.

But at HRH Prog they kept their best players on the bench and put some of the old mediocre guard on the pitch. It drops them a couple of places down the league I am afraid, but I have not given up on them. They have the talent to get promoted. Its just down to the management to get the right team on the pitch and believe!

The whole band has got great energy and Blaze knows very well how to keep the audience engaged, perfect show to every single detail! Also Chris Appleton is an amazing guitarist. What they did with ‚The Angel and The Gambler‘ is awesome; the fun element is 10 out of 10 at every point, proven once again that you do not need a great budget to make an event enjoyable - the sincerity does it.

Bad Touch / Mollie Marriott / The Strangers
O2 Academy2, Islington
26.11.2017

The chill winter nights are upon us and I was off to spend my Sunday night in North London. Bad Touch was bringing Norfolk Rock ‘n’ Roll to the O2 Academy2 in Islington and guesting on this, their very first headline tour, was Mollie Marriott and her Band. Before making my way to the venue, a swift couple of ales in the nearby Wetherspoons was called for and who should be in there enjoying a pre gig meal?....you guessed it Bad Touch.

The stage timings at both O2 Academies in Islington have always impressed me and tonight was no different. The support slot was filled by The Strangers, a band, if I am honest, I had never heard of until tonight and they kicked things off bang on schedule. They offered a mix of rock and rap, in the same vein as Linkin’ Park. I really enjoyed their short set and they warmed things up nicely.

Next up was Mollie Marriott, beautiful smile, leather jacket and leopard print leggings and her three piece band. I was really looking forward to this in the wake of her highly acclaimed debut album “Truth Is A Wolf”. Strangely enough I first saw this young lady almost thirteen years to the day. She joined “The Greg Ridley Band” on this very stage when she performed at Greg Ridley (Humble Pie’s bassist) memorial concert and gave us a great rendition of Black Coffee. Her Father, who I met and saw on many occasions would be extremely proud.

Mollie showcased several numbers from her new release, including Run With The Hounds, Truth Is The Wolf, Broken, King Of Hearts (Co-written with Judie Tzuke), Transformer and Control. Her band, in particular, Aussie Johnson Jay on guitar, gave each number legs and being suitably impressed I felt obliged to purchase a vinyl copy from the busy merch desk. Mollie was wearing a white t-shirt under her leather jacket with the caption “courage” and this was befitting a young lady who having asked the audience if there were any Tom Petty fans in the house gave us a brilliant version of “I Should Have Known It” from the relatively modern “Mojo” album rather than covering the standard Breakdown and the like. A very good set and we all knew that we would seeing Mollie again later as the evening progressed.

Bad Touch have been very busy recently supporting the likes of King King, Broken Witt Rebels and the Kentucky Headhunters but this is the Band’s first headline tour. I first saw them supporting King King last year and again when they attracted perhaps the biggest audience for this year’s Rising Stars Stage at Ramblin’ Man. Norfolk based, they were formed in 2010 and the current “Truth Be Told” is the Band’s second offering. Stevie Westwood (vocals), Daniel “Seeks” Seekings (guitar/vocals), Rob Glendinning (lead guitar), Michael Bailey (bass) and George Drewry (drums/vocals) are a very powerful unit and, in my opinion, a very formidable English rock band with a very American vibe. I was fortunate as the late 1960s early 1970s was a great time to cut your teeth when compiling your early music catalogue and Bad Touch would have not been out of place in the company of the bands scrolled on the front of my school exercise books. I am sure Daniel “Seeks” Seekings will not object to me suggesting he bears a remarkable likeness to a young Paul Kossoff. They have a strong setlist of, in the main, original material including Take Me Away, Good On Me, Sweet Little Secret, Waiting For This, Wise Water, I Belong, Down (segueing into Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Can’t You See), Something Someone, My Mother Told Me, Take Your Time, Outlaw and Mountain. At times I am reminded of that lovely Black Crowes sound and Stevie Westwood, who has too much hair, speaking as a baldy, leads from the front with some Chris Robinson style free dancing. I had a great position and it felt like I was hanging from Rob Glendinning’s machine heads at times. This guy can certainly play and some of the slide was breathtaking at times.

Mollie Marriott was invited back for the first of two encore numbers, a cover and current collaberation of Ike & Tina Turner’s “Baby Get It On” which is enjoying some serious radio airplay. Bad Touch and Mollie Marriott have obviously enjoyed each others company over these last few weeks and it was a joy and privilege to see this recent studio collaboration in a live environment. Bad Touch signed off with 99% and I am sure what must have been close to a sell out show was enjoyed by all.

There are a healthy number of rising stars in the English Rock scene and I get the feeling that Bad Touch will grow and the next headline tour will perhaps place them at the next level.

This is the 3rd time I've seen Chantel, First time 5 yrs ago supporting Wishbone Ash, and she was amazing. This was her 2nd visit to the"Caves," I think this time she was hoping for a bigger crowd,and I know I tried to bring more people but this close to Xmas, it proved difficult. Her mood wasn't helped by a rather drunk fan. However once she got into her stride, there was no stopping her.

"Daydream" was outstanding, the sounds she were producing phenomenal.As an old fogey I've seen some guitarists, Clapton, Page, Akkerman and Jack White, to name a few, but this girl rocks!

New songs on show, including a trip into prog, made for a great evening.

I'd encourage anyone who loves real music played live to see her.

Gordon in Edinburgh