This was not a drill! It happened! Arguably the biggest reunion ever. There was a renewed fire and vigour in Oasis. It was wonderful to see Bonehead back in the mix, and Andy Bell and Gem Archer have been in Oasis longer than they haven’t. Joey Waronker is no stranger to the material having been in Liam’s band, and he helps propel the band. There is still no one else like Liam Gallagher; he is the very definition of a rock star. And Noel, well, he looks like he is loving being a part of it all again. His lead work is excellent and his rhythm lines feel resurgent.

Full review here.

When it comes to rock legends, there aren’t many that can hold a torch to Glenn Hughes. A workhorse of a musician for 55 years, he has done it all. His new show saw him promoting his latest album, Chosen. He also dug deep into his vast back catalogue of great music.

Add into the mix a support slot from Sophie Lloyd, one of the best guitarists on the planet, and you have a bill to die for.

Full review here.

For the duration of the 80 minute set, Self Esteem seem completely at ease in the messages they are sharing. The full gambit of emotions are touched on; lust, power, focus, sex, sadness, joy, apathy…but above all, love. It’s all love. This is what we need. Rebecca Lucy Taylor is a proper pop star. It is clear that her heart is deep in musical theatre too. Her ability to run the two side-by-side should be lauded. It will be interesting to see what the next chapter holds.

Full review here.

Starsailor really demonstrate what well crafted songs, hard work and dedication can achieve. The fact that they sound this good, have such super songs and a clear humility is a testament to their longevity. If you have lost touch with this band, rekindle your interest and go check them out in 2026 when they tour their first album with the same string section in tow.

Full review here.

War have an indelible legacy. With albums like All Day Music and The World Is A Ghetto, they were part of a musical revolution highlighting the struggles of inequality and injustice. Many of their songs are as pertinent now as they were all those decades ago. They could have played for another few hours with the hits they have. For now, this will have to do. When will they be back? ‘Soon, soon, soon…’ hopefully.

Full review here.

WLDFLWRS’ guest list was an impressive one, with names like Nigel Clark (Dodgy), Chris Helme (Seahorses), Neil Ivison (Ginger Wildheart), and At The Barrier faves The Lost Notes. And to top it all, the legendary PP Arnold put in an appearance to blow our socks off with some stunningly soulful interpretations of a few Band favourites.

Full review here.

From the jump, 3CAG makes it obvious there’s a real connection between Kneecap and Liverpool. The crowd, mixed ages, draped in Irish colours, and supping Guinness like it was a team sport, was fully locked in. The e-vending Guinness station in the fan zone outside was a brilliant touch: smooth, quick, and surprisingly well-organised for a night this chaotic.

Full review here.

When Bruce is playing your hometown. Indoors. In May. For three incredible nights. There are no questions asked. From the moment he ambled onstage just before a quarter to eight on Wednesday 14th May and delivered the now famous speech that went around the world in seconds, Bruce and the mighty E Street Band set Manchester ablaze. A core set with variations each night ended on night three with Glory Days and “no-body wants to go home – f**k it, let’s not go home.” Don;t put it past Bruce to be back…

Full reviews: Night 1, Night 2, Night 3.

Power metal, finely mixed with a good helping of pop sensibilities, real songs, strong choruses, all delivered with precision and a fine eye for performance. Wirth majestica and Dominium in support, Battle Beast, with Noora Louhimo takes her place stage front and centre, dressed like some kind of fantasy goddess or demon didn’t put a foot wrong. A shame she’s since announced her departure form the band although we’re left with memories of a great performance from all of the bands; great sound, fantastic lights and a really brilliant atmosphere.

Full review here.

A night to remember with The Night Flight Orchestra mixing classic rock with a bit of glamour and just a touch of funkiness. We were fortunate enough to catch their only UK show. The Night Flight Orchestra make proper feelgood music that makes you smile and is infectious from the first few notes. A night that ends with The Garage turned into a party with a full on conga train snaking its way around the room. Maybe a full UK tour next time around!

Full review here.

For various reason, it’s been a while since some Steven Wilson solo activity. Two words. Porcupine. Tree. Taking his The Overview album on tour and performing the whole piece brought the concept to stunning multimedia life. Add a second set of choice material from his solo legacy – The Lowry got a fine selection including must have versions of Home Invasion/Regret #9 and The Raven… – and you can’t really go wrong. All witnessed by a studious but appreciative crowd from the safety of their plush lilac seats. Not bad for the self-proclaimed ‘worst musician in the band’.

Full review here.

Might not be the time or place to pick a gig of the year within a festival setting, but the first of a couple of mentions in dispatches for festvival sets that blew us away. The Levellers are a band always on the ATB radar and in a year when they also went out to celebrate in their guise at the Collective and also mark the Zeitgeist anniversary, Mark Chadwick & Co are always a reliable outfit for shifting a festival crowd to their collective feet. Shrewsbury bobbed, bounced and bopped as The Levellers put the festival to bed.

Full review here.

A return to the Apollo with Arch Enemy – the last time here on a terrific bill with Carcass and behemoth, this time even better, with Amorphis, Eluvietie and Gatecreeper in tow. Full review here.

As evidenced by our magnificent gallery of images from the gig, it was an unexpected swan song for singer Alissa White-Gluz who announced her departure from the band shortly after the tour. However, what a way to go, supported by a crowd pleasing set from Eluvietie, combining Folk and Metal muscle and the usual high drama provided by Amorphis with new album Borderland just out.

Full review here

The Blackheart Orchestra brought their multi-instrumental magic to the compact confines of Leamington’s Temperance. Two people, one great sound… Chrissy and Rick with “a full little room, isn’t it?” and  “This is the warmest I’ve been all year.”   The confines of this small cellar were just perfect for the deluge of sound to come… A set with the usual selection of ‘hits’ and faves plus some teasers for a new album – let’s hope it’s now more than 8/12 complete.

Full review here

We rode into Masham on a wet and windy Friday, accompanied by a large posse of eager Barbarettes. And if that isn’t a cue for an evening of fun, frolics and phantasmagoria then, quite frankly, what is? This time around, they had an album to promote, and we’re proud to have been part of the journey to that 12″ black vinyl platter. With another headline tour in 2026 and a booking at Cropredy, the carnival of fun that is a Barbara gig shows no signs of letting up.

Full review here

When was it that bagpipes got so darn sexy – but it now seeming that a festival without pipes is as old hat as a steam submarine. Cropredy seemed to tartan overnight as Skipinnish mixed sentiment with high voltage instrumental thrills and spills (and bagpipes). Our thought that “the grand swell of sound, thus produced, brought all in the crowd to, one way or another, rapture.” was spot on.

Full review here.

A showcase for both the Our Calling album but the evening wasn’t JUST a showpiece for the album with the opportunity to delve into some older material, the duo mesmerised the Union Chapel with relaxing, thoughtful moods, before cranking up the pace for a full-on gallops and left the stage with arms entwined around each other. And a bedazzled audience left The Union Chapel in a state of ecstacy. What a duo! What a show!

Full review here

The Malin Lewis Trio closed the afternon slot of the first day of Hartlepool FF ’25. . Their album, Halocline, having been a favourite of last year, and having caught them at Shrewsbury, back in August, this was one of many Scottish reasons we were there. Again with Sally Simpson on fiddle and ATB fave Jenn Butterworth on guitar. Lewis is a gifted fiddle player and piper, notably on the Lindsay system small pipes, which have double the range of any pre-existing design. Lewis crafted this set of pipes, personally, out of ebony and antler, and a beautiful bit of kit they are too and allow Lewis to swiftly show he future of Trad is safe in their hands.

Full review here

A story that still shows no sign of ending – or slowing down. The Iron maiden machine has us on the edge of our seats on the Run For Your Lives tour that showcases the earlier years.

The joke about the next fifty years might not have legs. Reviewing the Future Past tour a couple of years since, we speculated about the undisputed kings of heavy Metal showing no signs of slowing down. Indeed, the idea of them improving with age isn’t a fallacy. as the stage show took on technology and upped the famous production quality. There has to be, and there will be an end, but the signs aren’t yet there that we face a time without Iron Maiden. Hallowed be their names.

Full review here

What happens when two teachers and a scientist decide to throw their lot into a career playing music? The result – a meteoric rise to acclaim and fame. We headed down to the Albert Hall in Manchester for a Sunday Service with current do-no-wrongers, Amble to find out what’s hot and witnessed a near spiritual experience as the fourth wall was trampled down and Oisin, Ross and Robbie prepare for world domination. Next stop…an even bigger hall in manchester.

Full review here