Gig reviews, gigs in Birmingham & West Midlands

Hansel and Gretel, Birmingham Hippodrome Jun 24 2008

THERE was plenty of food for thought in this delightful light-hearted opera.Read

Journey, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton Jun 24 2008

DESPITE so much band history and fan expectation to live up to, Journey's new vocalist Arnel Pineda blew away the cobwebs of 70s and 80s rock with a performance that belied his youth and lack of serious stage time.Read

Goldfrapp, Birmingham Symphony Hall Jun 23 2008

ALISON Goldfrapp and co re-lived the age of flower power with a hippy set filled with blossoms, bunting, psychedelia and even a maypole.Read

Santana, NEC Jun 23 2008

CARLOS Santana might be a few days off 61 but you would never have guessed from a two and a half hour non-stop set to a dancing NEC.Read

Alanis Morissette, Carling Academy, Birmingham Jun 20 2008

THE Canadian rocker was happy to wallow in former glories during this 90-minute gig.Read

Def Leppard and Whitesnake, NEC Arena Jun 20 2008

TWO of the biggest names in rock squared up in a value for money gig that had a packed NEC calling for more.Read

Queensryche, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton Jun 20 2008

WITH two critically acclaimed albums to play in one night, you could be forgiven for thinking the task was going to prove itself too difficult to recreate live. But with Queensryche, such a task is relished and even topped.Read

Aida, Birmingham Hippodrome Jun 19 2008

FOR a change, there was more than just the exceptional music and singing that grabbed the attention in this suberb Welsh National Opera production.Read

Elvis On Tour, NIA Jun 17 2008

IF THERE are two 20th century events I'd like to have witnessed they would be a Muhammad Ali fight at Madison Square Gardens - and Elvis in his pomp in Las Vegas.Read

Download, Castle Donnington Jun 16 2008

THE old monsters of rock festival, now called Download, played host to a real rock monster in the shape of heavy metal legends Kiss.Read

Elkie Brooks, Town Hall, Birmingham. Jun 16 2008

"ELKIHOLICS" were out in force to acclaim an outstanding performance from the British singer who, after over 40-plus years in showbiz, sounded as good as ever.Read

Boyzone, Birmingham NEC Jun 11 2008

BALLAD kings Boyzone followed in the footsteps of fellow boyband Take That and made a return to Birmingham eight years after their split.Read

Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Town Hall, Birmingham Jun 11 2008

WITH a back catalogue stretching back 30 years, and containing some of the most diverse and eclectic songs to grace one man's career, it is no wonder Steve Harley still manages to attract a large audience to his gigs. Read

Judy Collins, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton Jun 10 2008

JUDY Collins started the first of two Midland concerts with a bang, quite literally, as she tripped and clattered to the floor as she came on stage.Read

Mary J Blige, NEC Jun 10 2008

TO A deafening explosion of fireworks, Mary J Blige emerged clad in trademark white suit, over-sized wrap-around shades and blonde locks.Read

Duffy, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton Jun 04 2008

THE revelation that scorching soul songstress Duffy walked into a swingers' party at the age of 21 wasn't the only jaw-dropping moment during her performance.Read

Avril Lavigne, NEC Jun 02 2008

IT LOOKS like Avril Lavigne can't decide whether she wants to be a teen pop star or a rebellious rock star.Read

The Pigeon Detectives, Birmingham Academy Jun 02 2008

WITH two sell-out shows at the Academy, the Pigeon Detectives had a lot to live up to - and they did it in style.Read

The Strawbs at The Robin, Bilston May 30 2008

BACK in the late sixties and early seventies The Strawbs carved a distinctive niche for themselves as folk rockers with strong melodies and memorable lyrics.Read

Feeder, Barfly May 27 2008

FANS would normally have to elbow their way through thousands of other people at festivals or arenas like the NEC to get an up-close view of this band performing live.Read