All About Rock & Metal

An SOS show is always larger than life, but tonight was supersized. They wanted to end a difficult year on a high, and this was truly stratospheric. A show that set a new precedent in performance levels. I have absolutely no doubt that 2026 will see them reach even greater heights.

It was a sold-out show and there was an amazing atmosphere buzzing around the auditorium. The band took to the stage with the minimum amount of fuss. The crowd erupted.

“Once more unto the breach dear friends”, or more precisely, the O2 Forum in Kentish Town. This is one of my favourite music venues. It has a good photo pit, and the Showsec security are generally accommodating. Their policy allows photographers to shoot from the crowd after they have finished the standard three songs from the pit. This means you don’t get thrown out onto the street like a piece of trash in between the sets of each band, something that happens at venues like

One of the many things I like about being a music photographer is that I get to see bands I wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to. On this particular occasion, I knew of the headline act, and had heard one of their songs, but knew absolutely nothing about the first two bands on the bill, Block Of Flats, and special guests, The Funeral Portrait. So once again I make my way into central London for the privilege of watching musicians perform.

Even though I had been to the O2 as a fan on countless occasions, this would be my first time there as a photographer. I had been pre-warned by some of my peers that this venue was a slightly hostile environment, but I always try to keep a sense of optimism. So, on a cold Wednesday night, I made my way to the East End of London wearing multiple layers of clothing, something that turned out to be an extremely wise decision, as I soon found out.

I will confess that I knew absolutely nothing about two of the bands on the bill, including the headliner. My review will be written from the perspective of someone who has walked in off the street, which is pretty close to the truth.

Strolling into the Academy 1, I got to see for the first time the fantastic stage set up with the Firefest logo emblazoned across a large

Today, I am back at my favourite music venue, KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton, for The Annual Mayor’s Festival 2024.

For me, a classic riff played on an electric guitar, through an overdriven amplifier, is about as good as it gets.

Wolfgang Van Halen is a genius. Now that I’ve got that out of the way I will attempt to explain why.

Uriah Heep are a band that have adapted in order to survive. At the start of their illustrious career

Rock icon is probably the highest accolade any musician could hope for. Throughout history every generation has produced a handful

Saxon have shown they are seasoned campaigners who have the resilience to survive the bloodiest of battles.

Tonight I travelled to the Wembley Arena to review a band whose music I’ve been listening to for forty-six years.

KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton has very quickly established itself as the number 1 Rock venue in the Midlands, if not the whole of the UK.

The first time I heard Gun was nearly thirty-five years ago. Their music resonated with me immediately. I remember hearing their debut album

When I was given the assignment to review Dirty Honey I was overjoyed, I have been fan of their music from the first moment I heard it.

The first time I heard the name Florence Black was when they replaced a band due to illness at the 2023 Stonedead Festival.

The first time I saw The Almighty was thirty-three years ago at the Hammersmith Apollo. A memory of which I have total recall.

I must confess I was quite excited about going to see Greta Van Fleet. I’ve been listening to their music for quite a few years