Category 2018

with Earls and Vulgarians

Tonight’s show was organised by Juicebox Live and The Shed.

Reviewed by Keith Jobey

There’s an old punk ethic that has been around since punk started which is ‘if you want something doing, do it yourself’. Forty plus years on its as relevant today as it ever was, and LIFE are a band that are a shining example of how to go about being a DIY band. Tonight saw them play Leicester for the fourth time, the last time being at Handmade Festival in 2017, Juicebox Live bringing them to The Shed for a well attended show.

Local punks Earls are a very fitting selection as first support. A band with attitude and tunes, inspired by Slaves and big fans of the headline act, whom they watched support Slaves at the Academy...

Friday 8th June – Sunday 10th June

Castle Donington, Leicestershire

Overview by Kevin Gaughan.

This years’ Download Festival had all the ingredients of being a right banger, with the weather forecast being ‘festival perfect’ (cloudy with sunny spells) and the usual selection of mega-headliners, I was expecting a capacity event.

The headliners were Avenged Sevenfold on the Friday, Guns N’Roses, marking their 30th anniversary since they last played, what was then, Monsters of Rock, on the Saturday, and the legend that is, Ozzy Osbourne, performing during his last ever global tour, on the Sunday. Definitely a crowd pulling line-up if ever there was one.

The crowd enjoying Ozzy Osbourne Photo: Kevin Gaughan

Also, this year, Download stepped up their efforts to be as eco-friendly and accessib...

with Knice and Longtooth and Wasterman

Tonight’s show was organised by Magic Teapot and The Other Window (The Non Alliance Pact).

Reviewed by Keith Jobey

When you see a gig promoted by the The Non Alliance Pact, a loose collection of music promoters including the Other Window, Magic Teapot and Locust Promotions, you know it’s going to have alternative leanings, perhaps even subversive ones. Which is exactly what made this a must go to event. That and the fact that ILL were headlining.

The evening got off to a belting start with Knice, a local hardcore band. Like a speedball of energy covered in hair, this band were relentless. I normally wouldn’t go for this style of music but I found myself being totally entertained by it in the end. Such expression and energy can’t be contained.

Knice P...