Meadies Musical Marconi

 With rumours (and we repeat it’s rumours) swirling yet again that these could be their last gigs legendary Manchester band The Stone Roses returned to Leeds for the first time as the the classic 4 piece line up since 1989. Could they rekindle the magic? Matt Mead attended to find out. Having last seen The Stone Roses at Heaton Park in 2012 I was looking forward seeing some more of the magic that brought them back together and that was witnessed on Shane Meadows famed Made Of Stone film. Having Phil Beckett as the warm up DJ certainly got the crowd in the mood with a mix of Punk, Northern Soul and Reggae including The Clash, Robert Knight & Dave and Ansell Collins and all was set for lift of when Stoned Love echoed all around the arena, whipping the crowd into a frenzy as the band entered the stage. With Mani thumping the classic bass chord, John Squire’s stone cold riff’s and the mesmerising drums of Reni the classic I Wanna Be Adored had the cro...

  Vinyl Revival  celebrated 20 years of trading in 2017 with a celebratory gig held at Manchester’s Ruby Lounge with the legendary One Summer headlining, playing a special one-off gig. Matt Mead was there to witness the special night and witnessed the last waltz by one of Manchester’s great underrated bands.  On a wet and windy night in Manchester The Ruby Lounge was the perfect dry retreat away from the crazy October weather in Manchester. Tonight promised to be a special night,  celebrating the 20 years service to the Manchester music scene of Colin White but to also see a wealth of Manchester’s homegrown talent. Kicking off proceedings were the raw young punk of Dirty Laces. With the drummer shirtless, aka Topper Headen Style, and the lead singer having a young Liam Gallagher swagger, this started the night’s proceedings off to a 1,000mph level. The Brains behind Vinyl Revival and tonight’s festivities Colin White was up next with his band High Society. Pl...

 Nottingham. Home to Robin Hood, Nottingham Castle, Nottingham Forest, Notts County, The Panthers, the River Trent, Shane Meadows, Sue Pollard, Alvin Lee, Torvill and Dean, Jake Bugg, Little Barrie, Sleaford Mods and, of course, Batman’s residence, Wollaton Hall. It was the latter that the 10 th  anniversary of The Splendour Festival was held at for the 10 th  successive year. With acts such as Madness, Pet Shop Boys, The Specials and James having all played the festival in previous years, this year was no different in pulling in the stellar acts such as The Charlatans, The Stranglers and main stage headliner Paloma Faith. Matt Mead attended the festival to check out the birthday celebrations. The Splendour festival is the biggest summer music festival in the Midlands. As previously mentioned, the big names have been the main draw for fans, and as I arrived on the site the organisation and the family friendly felicities on site were of the highest order. Fairground...

 After unleashing one of the best albums of the year, Moving Through The Dawn, The Coral have headed out on the road to support their album and to play some of their crowd favourites. Matt Mead caught the band live and direct on the floorboards at Birmingham’s 02 Institute. Having previously seen the band play live on Jools Holland’s Later TV programme, plus recently in session for Radio X, Radio 2 and Zoe Balls Sunday morning TV slot it’s evident The Coral are a live force to be reckoned with. Tonight starts with support bands Cut Glass Kings and She Drew The Gun. Cut Glass Kings are like a mixture of White Stripes meets The Who, loud, brash and playing tuneful songs. She Drew The Gun are bordering on Adam Any with their look and sound, if they had a double drum set up they’d have to have the white talc across their noses to match the any man. The Coral enter the ring to Sweet Release, one of many songs they play from their new album. They play the hits including Jacqueline,...

 Rod Stewart, former member of The Jeff Beck Group, The Faces and Steam Packet, is still gigging strong as he approaches his 75 th  year.  Matt Mead   went to see him at Wolverhampton Wanderers Molineux Football Stadium. As you think of approaching your 75 th  year you might think saturday evenings would be a quiet affair – maybe making a hot drink or two whilst watching late night TV will suffice for some. Ask Rod Stewart and you might be met with his cackled laugh whilst surrounded by a crowd of blonde-haired backing singers. And so that is the setting for Rod tonight beneath the lights of the famous Molineux football stadium. Let’s say it as it is – Rod is a performer and showman with a bag full of hits that’s as big as the leopard skin trousers Kenny Everett used to wear when impersonating Rod the Mod. Even the warm-up band Johnny Mac and The The Faithful deliver Ooh La La in their set. Tonight is a literal Rodfest. Things get underway with Infatu...

  When Robin Hood camped out in Sherwood Forest to rob the rich to feed the poor little did he know years later Paul Weller would go on to entertain with a band of merry men in his own backyard on a barmy hot night in 2019. Paul has been on a profound golden streak of late. Album releases Other Aspects, True Meanings, A Kind Revolution and Saturns Pattern are comfortably part of Paul’s greatest pieces of work. In recent years his song writing has become more experiential, ever evolving, forever changing, always looking for that perfect ingredient that will grant him his own Odyssey and Oracle. Additionally his live set is assured as ever, as recent accounts have attested. Tonight kicks off with I’m Where I Should Be, Weller confidently moves about the stage, nodding approval to fans in the crowd. The Changingman is at one within his circle of admirers but with a significant sprinkling of magic dust in those white Levi jeans and monkey boots. The rest of the band play as tight a...

 Poignantly this would be one of the last reviews of Denise Johnson in the live setting. I remember seeing her in the venue before the gig started, she was just politely wandering around without any fanfare. Her presence on stage was that of a tambourine shaking goddess. RIP Denise ~ Seminal Manchester punk-funk band A Certain Ratio are celebrating 40 years on the floorboards with a tour that has taken them to every breadth and stretch of the nation. Matt Mead catches the band in Nottingham at The Rescue Rooms, the band’s first visit to the city in 30 years. The force of nature that is A Certain Ratio are packing quite a punch as one of the very best inventive and engaging bands on the live circuit, something the band have had comfortably lauded upon their shoulders for years, with accolades showering down on them show after show for what can only be described as a samba, pop, funk electro masterclass the gang from Manchester sure know how to throw an unforgettable party. W...

February 2018 saw The Orielles not only go out on a nationwide tour but it was the month that saw this brilliant band release their long-awaited debut album on Heavenly Records. With their brand of raw funk, with hints of flamenco, blues, Santana type instrumentals and 60’s summer vibes, The Orielles are singing to a glorious beat. Matt Mead caught up with the band at the start of the tour at Nottingham’s Rough Trade store.  Having been introduced recently to The Orielles I was blown away how fluid and brilliant a band I had missed out on. With slight hints at 90’s era Happy Monday’s, A Certain Ratio, but with the band having their own originality to their brand of superb indie pop full of funk, stoner bongos, disco synth POWs and dreamy arch lullabies, this a band that is well on their way into the hearts and homes of those with a keen ear for the best record collection. With a packed crowd at Rough Trade baying for the return of the band, the band kick of proceedings with a n...