Category: Music

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Live Reviews Music

Fields Of The Nephilim come alive in the dark

Few bands have as strong an identity as Fields Of The Nephilim. Even seen in silhouette — partly obscured by a dry ice fog; wearing their trademark wide-brimmed hats, mirrored sunglasses, long duster coats, cowboy boots, and a shroud of mystery — they’re unmistakable. Musically, there’s nothing quite like their pairing of what would become goth signatures (baritone vocals, chiming chords, bleak soundscapes, a bass player convinced they’re lead guitarist) with twangy Spaghetti Western slide guitar. And lyrically, Carl McCoy’s interests — religion, the occult, the Victorian underworld — shaped a post-apocalyptic world to match the music’s brooding sense of unease.

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Live Reviews Music

The Cure give their all at Wembley Arena

“So the fire is almost out and there’s nothing left to burn,” Robert Smith claimed on 39, which dealt with the prospect of turning 40. That was almost 25 years ago. On the basis of The Cure’s live shows over the past decade, three phenomenal performances at Wembley Arena this week, and five spectacular new songs, someone had better call the fire department. That fire’s still blazing.

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Live Reviews Music

The Gulls take flight

Staying on top of new music (or even music new to you) can be a full-time job. For some people it is. For those without that privilege, there are several ways to make do. The radio, those you-might-like-this algorithms on streaming services, websites like Louder Than War, and press releases all have their place. But they still involve some work. And none are quite as likely to stick as a personal recommendation from someone you trust.

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Live Reviews Music

The Hu rumble like thunder

It all started with the videos. Striking, cinematic, breathtaking, they’re stuffed with sweeping helicopter shots of deserts, mountains, and men playing instruments high up on rocky outcrops — not unlike those Bon Jovi and Guns N’ Roses videos from 30 years ago. But there’s no sign of Richie Sambora, Slash, or a Gibson Les Paul.

Instead, the scenery features a Mongol warrior on horseback and four musicians in traditional Mongolian costumes playing traditional Mongolian instruments, singing in Mongolian about their heritage, their history, their culture, their respect for nature, their message of unity.

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Interviews Music

Alter Bridge’s Mark Tremonti talks creativity, drive, and Sinatra

It’s 5pm on a Friday. Most people are about to call time on the working week. But Mark Tremonti’s not most people. The Alter Bridge guitarist is in a dressing room of Milan’s Mediolanum Forum di Assago arena with four hours to kill before showtime. And he’s not taking it easy.

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Live Reviews Music

Placebo never let you go at Brixton Academy

Placebo really don’t want you on your phone — filming or taking photos — during their show. A polite, heartfelt note on their social media platforms explains how a sea of mobiles makes it difficult for them to connect with the audience and disrespects other fans. Plus watching a gig through a screen takes you out of the moment.

“Our purpose is to create communion & transcendence. Please help us on our mission,” urge Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal in the message, which is also projected onto the backdrop while the roadies set up. Eventually, Molko’s disembodied voice even reads it out.

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Live Reviews Music

Fontaines D.C. show off their immense power

Selling out three consecutive nights at Hammersmith’s Eventim Apollo is a pretty good hint you’ve made it as a live act. So is having a sea of people in the stalls — sometimes surging, sometimes raging, always moving.

But the real sign is an audience that doesn’t just shout back every word; they sing along to melodies with such gusto it almost renders the musicians pointless. The Cure have Play For Today. Iron Maiden have Fear Of The Dark. On the last night of their London residency, Fontaines D.C. have A Lucid Dream and Big Shot.

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Interviews Music

Steve Louw keeps things simple

Steve Louw’s been a fixture of the South African music scene since the mid 1970s, first travelling between folk clubs in his Volkswagen Kombi to perform originals and blues covers on his 12-string Ibanez.

By 1986 he’d recorded two albums with the band All Night Radio. The first was produced by The Kinks collaborator John Rollo, secured after impressing The E Street Band’s Little Steven with a cassette of live recordings. The second was produced by Kevin Shirley, whose CV now includes Joe Bonamassa, Iron Maiden, The Black Crowes, and Led Zeppelin.

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Music Reviews

High Window are Benighted & Delighted

High Window’s debut album, Benighted & Delighted, has been a long time coming.

You could say Keith Dixon has been working towards it his whole life.

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Live Reviews Music

Beth Orton shares her masterpiece at KOKO

About 45 minutes into her performance, Beth Orton asks: “Can we have the big ball?” KOKO’s massive rose gold mirror ball starts spinning, bathing the already magnificent venue in floating specks of red light. It’s yet another reminder — from the singer’s gold-sequined frock to the fairy lights decorating her keyboard — that this is less of a gig and more of a celebration. A celebration of an artist, her determination, and the resulting masterpiece.

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