Tag Archives: Live Music

Conductor: Vasily Petrenko Composers: Tchaikovsky, Korngold, Mussorgsky Reviewer: Rich Jevons The first part of this triple bill sees Tchaikovsky looking at forbidden love, notably Francesca's adultery which led to her incarceration in Dante's Hell. There is a brooding intro which then stirs into a tempest of frenzied and frenetic strings. And there are more reflective and solemn moments. But love ...

Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Blues has been the starting point for many superstar musicians. The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton started out as hardcore Blues enthusiasts only to move on to the more lucrative Rock genre. However, Robert Cray, although a guitarist of the Clapton standard, has chosen to remain loyal to the Blues throughout his career. In tonight’s concert, ...

Reviewer: Dave Cunningham Martin Simpson is not an artist who can be hurried along- this is a concert characterised by a thoughtful, even leisurely, approach to the material. The eerie slide guitar introduction to the opening 18thCentury ballad St. James Hospital goes on so long it might be mistaken for a separate instrumental number. The format for the concert is straight ...

The UK’s first Theatre Company of Sanctuary, Stand and Be Counted, present Where We Began, a wild and vivid vision of the future that combines storytelling, movement and live music. Five performers from across the globe challenge existing notions of ‘home’ in a multilingual celebration of personal identity.  They consist of Shireen Farkhoy as The Transition Guide (Persian British Actor), ...

Writer: David Greig Composer: Gordon McIntyre Director: Kate Hewitt Reviewer: S.E. Webster A whole decade has passed since acclaimed playwright David Greig’s Midsummer first premiered at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh. Since then the play has toured across the world from New York to Seoul. 2018 now sees this fun, carefree musical theatre production return to the city of its ...

Reviewer: Dave Cunningham  Bowjangles have a reputation as classically-trained musicians who are capable of singing and dancing while also performing note-perfect versions of classical and popular tunes. It is a difficult Act to describe and takes the audience at The Lowry some time to adjust to such an original routine. The atmosphere becomes more relaxed when one of the group ...

Reviewer: Dave Cunningham Albert Lee opens his set at The Lowry with something of a mission statement – a blistering cover of I’m Ready that confirms his willingness and ability to rock’n’roll all night.  Lee has played sideman / lead guitar for some of the greatest acts in popular music, which gives him legitimate access to a superb back catalogue. ...

Writers: René Char adapted by Pierre Boulez, Toru Takemitsu, Tom Harrold and Luciano Berio Conductor: Jamie Phillips Reviewer: Dave Cunningham Psappha Ensemble is The North’s only stand-alone contemporary classical music ensemble. They are based at the highly atmospheric venue Halle St. Peters- a former Italian Chapel in inner-city Manchester. Inside the venue the mood is intimate and informal – the ...