Mick Birchall Reviews

Photo Credit: David Pickles   If you had told me as an eager teenager learning to play the guitar that one day, not only would I be going to see this show live, but get to go as a member of the press, and people would want to read my gig report from the show, I would have thought you were a crazy person. Like most kids who pick up the guitar, I started to idolise many musicians. However, I think it’s fair to say not many captured my imagination quite like the master of modern blues rock, Joe Bonamassa . I think what captured my attention the most about him was how slick and effortless he made the guitar look. Every note is hit with pinpoint precision, every melody performed with such conviction, and his records never fail to enthral me. So, just getting the opportunity to watch someone who has spent over 10000 hours mastering their craft play is one I could never pass up. Getting into Liverpool, there was just that feeling of excitement in the air. I usually go to Manchester for sh...

At the start of this year I was acquainted with the blues rock stylings of The Zac Schulze Gang . Their music sent shivers down my spine when I first listened to them. The technical abilities of the three members blew my socks off. To the point where I was genuinely impressed to find that there are only three members. I took a listen to songs like “Woman” and their new single “I Won’t Do This Anymore” and, whoa, that was something else. So when I got the opportunity to check out the band on their UK tour, you bet I was going to get my butt out to the show. As an added little bit of specialness to this event, this was going to be their first time in Manchester. For this gig, I ventured into the Northern Quarter and made my way to Gullivers . Tucked away the bar and gig venue has been home to some amazing shows over the years. I have had the pleasure of seeing some iconic rock bands here and this was going to be another one for the ages. As the room filled, the lights hit the stage and M...

It’s been a long time since I set foot in the iconic Deaf Institute in Manchester, it’s also been a long time since I got to see the dynamic talent of Wille and The Bandits . So tonight was a night to make things right and experience both. It’s getting to that time of year, it’s getting a little warmer and the evenings are a little better for going out into the city centre. So I was in brighter spirits and getting out to a gig felt like the best way to celebrate. Any time you get to listen to live music is always a good night. Wille and The Bandits, hot off the heels of opening for Beth Hart in Europe, have embarked on their headline UK tour and this Manchester date was night number two of the whole thing. So a fresh sounding band and you could tell they were ready to hit the road and perform for the fine people of Manchester. The venue felt like a small theatre, located upstairs, the room was wonderfully open with seating and a viewing balcony. So like a compact amphitheatre. Which s...

Well, it’s been over two months since I’ve been to a gig, so I felt it was about time I got back to my spiritual home of Manchester. I think I’ve been to the Manchester Academy so much in my years, I should be paying for rent. I feel like I’ve spent more time here than in most jobs I’ve had. This evening took me to the downstairs Club Academy . A great small club venue that gives artists space to breathe and the crowd more than enough room to sprawl out. I would usually describe the atmosphere as loose and carefree. Though this night there was an element of anticipation in the air for what was to come. Three great bands were about to take to the stage and you could tell that the crowd were more than ready. Headlining this evening were returning titans of the rock world, coming from the great nation of Sweden, H.E.A.T . It’s been a long time coming and Manchester was ready for their return to the city. That’s not all, you got a real bang for your money this evening, with two great suppo...

2024 has been a fun year for the music I got to experience. Some acts I thought I’d never get to see and I did, old favourites and interesting discoveries. It’s all been wonderful. Last year, I forwent my usual “favourite albums of the year” list. It just feels so impersonal. I’d rather go over some of my favourites and regale you with some of the best shows I have experienced. I don’t want to do a blow-by-blow, month-by-month recap. I just want to tell you about the year. This year has been a bit of a whirlwind for the blog too. 35 posts to the blog with 12 of those being interviews, the most I’ve ever done in a single year. I won’t lie, I’ve been a little starstruck that I, with my relatively small blog, have gotten to talk to some of the icons of the industry, such as Pasi from Sonata Arctica , Lena Scissorhands from Infected Rain and Peavy Wagner from the grandfathers of power-metal, Rage. I’ve also had the chance to chat with lesser-known names like InnerWish and The Commoner...

Photo by Mark Lear It’s autumn when the cold starts rushing in, the rain pours and bands come out in full force. There seem to be bands touring by the masses full and concert-goers come out by the dozen. This one was going to be a special one for me. Last year, I got to see this band in Liverpool and this year they dropped their new EP. Caitlin Krisko and The Broadcast are fast rising to be one of the premier blues rock bands set to take the 2020s by storm. Led by their eponymous vocalist Caitlyn and filled with blues soul to the brim. Their new EP, Blueprints has been a highlight of the year for many blues fans and their singles have been rattling around in my head for some time. After seeing them as a support act last year, I was rather interested to see what they could do as headliners. So I headed out to the Night and Day Cafe in Manchester, a good little venue a short walk away from Piccadilly train station. I was taken in by the ambience of the room and I waited for the music ...