A decade on from their ‘Live’ album, a new Megson live set brings the story up to speed.

Release Date:  26th September 2025

Label: EDJ Records

Format: digital / CD

THE LIVE ALBUM PHILOSOPHY

It’s usually at this point of a live album review that we/I always quote Slash and his philosophy from his days as an impressionable young fella, where he would always acquire (not always legally) a band’s live album as a starting point. Without listing a run of classic live albums, you can appreciate his point and it’s a strategy oft employed at ATB HQ. Live On Teesside adds to the case for the defence.

Meanwhile, as Megson, Stu and Debbie Hanna (NOT the famous brother and sister duo as now immortalised by Stu on the record) swiftly follow the three track To Get Home (the title track appears in the centre of the live set) with their second live album in a twenty year career that runs to 19 releases on Bandcamp. Seems strange to write those last few words seeing how they manage to maintain such a youthful image themselves – probably a painting in their attic casting a spell. They’re joined by a mic-less John Parker on double bass adding some low end to their mandola and accordion led armoury of instruments.

THOUGHTS OF HOME

It’s telling that the album is set on their native Teesside (any thoughts of “scream for me Stockton” are left with the Metal brigade) as their sense of ‘home’ is always strong. Indeed The Smoke Of Home, one of their signature songs (although not on this set) is one that should perhaps be considered by some forward thinkers or a local dignitary as the Teesside national anthem. The heritage that lies at the core of what they do is never too far from the surface.

Colours nailed to the mast, the duo also nail it when they revert to the trad.arrs. Not over dependent on interpreting the traditional songs, The Keach In The Creel is made for them and they’ve been giving it the Megson treatment since 2019 on the Con-Tra-Dic-Shun album, highlighting the interaction between mandola and accordion; not to mention the pair of voices dueling away on a grin-inducing tale.

A FINE BALANCE

The set delivers on a fine balance of Megson humour, fun and poignancy. The latter highlighted with Debs leading and accompanied by a mournful bassline on Every Night When The Sun Goes In and an intense A Prayer For Hope. A hefty portion of realism from a variety of sources, from personal observation and experience – there can’t be too many acts (maybe The Divine Comedy?) who could script a tune about the Barrington Judo Club and one of their more recent trademark songs, Generation Rent that would be great to hear in a electrified rocking arrangement.

Not quite what you’d term a roller coaster ride of emotions that leaves you uplifted but battered and bruised, but what is clear is that when you leave a Megson show, your card is stamped with the feelgood factor. After all is said and one, we’re left with a happy ending; the finale of the set splashed with the optimism of Good Times Will Come Again. Let’s hope so. Catch Megson on tour in 2025/26 – tour dates here.

Here’s the Megson take on the trad. The Oak & The Ash from ’24:

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