Boys from the Blackstuff – A Stage Adaptation that Hits Hard and True Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff remains one of Britain’s most powerful pieces of television drama, and the move to stage was always going to be a bold undertaking. But under the careful and inspired pen of James Graham, the adaptation not … Read more
Sting at Thetford Forest – A Night of Mixed Feelings in the Pines Gig #6 in Thetford Forest saw me return to one of the UK’s most unique and atmospheric live venues for a sixth time. Following sets from Paul Heaton (twice), The Pogues, Madness, and Paul Weller, this time the headliner was none other … Read more
Does Liam Need Noel? Not Tonight. All the chatter about whether Oasis will or won’t reform? I couldn’t care less. I saw them at Wembley in 2000. That’ll do me. Honestly, does Liam even need Noel? Sure, Noel wrote the bulk of the tunes, but Liam delivered them. He breathed life into those lyrics. It’s … Read more
After recently attending major shows at iconic venues in London and Ipswich’s Regent Theatre, it was refreshing to return to the more intimate and grassroots setting of The Smokehouse for something a little different — and altogether more personal. From Norwich to Nationwide Brown Horse is a six-piece country rock band from Norwich, and they’re … Read more
Liam Gallagher & John Squire Live in Kentish Town: A Monday Night Worth Breaking the Rules For Attending a gig on a Monday night might seem mad to some, but post-Covid, I’ve adopted a new approach: if it brings joy, don’t say no. So, with little hesitation, I found myself heading to Kentish Town for … Read more
Date: March 23rd 2024Venue: The Regent Theatre, IpswichAttendees: Verso, Hammy, Neil After catching Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) at Let’s Rock Ipswich in September 2022 and again at Audley End in August 2023, I was thoroughly hooked. So, when another chance came to see them live in Ipswich, Hammy and I grabbed tickets immediately … Read more
A Night of Nostalgia: I Should Be So Lucky – Live in Southend My unapologetic love for the music of Stock, Aitken & Waterman is no secret. While some scoff at their glossy pop productions, I wear my admiration proudly. So when I heard that a stage show featuring their greatest hits was touring, I … Read more
Some gigs are planned months ahead. Others, like this one, take decades. This was a show that had been 27 years in the making—a musical itch I’d finally get to scratch. Flashback to Glastonbury ’97 Let’s rewind to June 1997 at Glastonbury. I was there with Watty and a few of his workmates, including Roger … Read more