I have to admit that I haven’t listened to Funeral for a Friend since the mid 2000’s, however when I heard they were playing their debut album in full, I was first in the queue for tickets. Having released four full length and a greatest hits album since their formation in 2001, this tour, entitled “Saying Goodbye to Darran Smith” was the first time the band had played a lot of material from their 2003 album “Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation” since 2004.

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They say Italian’s do it better and that is definitely the case when it comes to Calibro 35. The Milan based band remake 60’s and 70’s Italian film soundtracks and they do it with such energy and skill you can almost see the car chases happening before your eyes.

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Sir Paul McCartney brought his Up and Coming Tour to Glasgow’s Hampden Stadium, his first performance in the City for 20 years and despite rumours of poor ticket sales, the stadium seemed pretty packed with Beatles and Wings fans alike

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There was much excitement when Bon Jovi announced a series of twelve nights in June at the O2 arena. Whilst initial ticket sales were brisk, once again the over-priced “top” tickets stuck on the later dates

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I’m here at the intimate venue of The Roadmender in Northampton where a small crowd has gathered as Hot Club De Paris took to the stage

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Can anybody name a hit that Elvis has had in the past ten years? No I thought not

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When I posted on my facebook page that I was going to photograph Aerosmith I made a glib comment pondering if I should take my normal fast lens or time lapse photography kit

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Finsbury Park was packed as the crowd gathered to watch what they had all come for, Rage Against The Machine, with some ticketless fans even jumping the huge metal fences to join the festivities it felt like a real celebration

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The sun is shining the weather is sweet! The crowd has been patiently waiting since before 3pm and the first notes are met with roars as the Northern Irish band take to the stage. Awesome

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Tom DeLonge chose Berkshire quintet Francesqa to open the Kerrang! Introducing Stage at this year’s Slam Dunk Festival. DeLonge told Kerrang.com he “chose Francesqa because they had the most put together and unique sound compared to the other entries” and he was right, Francesqa were a good choice

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My second visit to the new Aldershot venue and I was a little apprehensive. Last time watching Bruce Foxton’s “From The Jam” left me on such a high I was worried that tonight was going to be the headache left over from the wonderful night before.

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For all its organisational mishaps, Slam Dunk Festival must be commended for bringing together a brilliant line-up. The fall out of said bill, consisting of mainly American bands, resulted in numerous UK tours (read: Hit The Lights, Every Avenue and more) all simultaneously

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This was my first visit to The Tunnels, and I have to say I was impressed with the venue. With its modern bar and setting it was cool despite the heat of the day, and with its own beer garden it is pure heaven on a sunny day.

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Tonight’s spectacle, dubbed “Dirt: The Musical”, takes its rightful home in the astonishing Koko venue in Camden. Brimming with all the grandiose of a theater and buzzing with an excitable atmosphere, Kids In Glass Houses return to the venue in which they played their one of their first ever London shows.

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Mariachi El Bronx were first to take to the stage, dressed from head to toe in Mariachi style attire, opening with a personal favourite of mine Slave Labour, followed by crowd pleaser Cell Mates. Playing a section of tracks of their debut self titled album they received a very good reaction from the almost full Thekla.

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Daniel Kitson’s current tour sees a temporary break from traditional standup with one of his story monologues. “66a Church Road - A Lament Made of Memories and Kept in Suitcases” is billed as “a break up show. For my flat.”

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I pondered in a previous review (The Pretenders) how many members made A group, THE group and not a tribute band. Tonight the question once again rears its ugly head as the only member left from “The Jam” in “From the Jam” is the bassist Bruce Foxton. I had come to the conclusion previously that the main singer and song writer was really at the heart of the band and it wouldn’t have mattered who had been on stage with Chrissie Hynde, it would still have been The Pretenders.

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Boys Like Girls go on to play such fan favourites as ‘Contagious’, ‘Heels Over Head’ & ‘Heart Heart Break’ as well as tonight’s biggest sing-a-long to ‘Thunder’ where Martin’s full vocal potential is show with every high note being as stunning as the original record.

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Laura and her band came on stage to a loud cheer from the expectant crowd, and immediately the auditorium was filled with the sound of her voice as she opened her seventeen song set with Devil’s Spoke off her most recent album I Speak Because I Can

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The HMV Forum was filled with eager fans alike whether it was in the standing area or those eagerly seated on the balcony. 15 minutes after doors opened a few young men started to walk on stage.

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When posters started appearing around campus advertising We Are The Fallen at KCLSU, I’m sure I wasn’t the only student to do a double-take - the heavy makeup, black leather and chains making quite the departure from the colourful Vampire Weekend ads that have dotted our notice-boards in the past. Intrigued, given Kings’ lamentably dormant alternative scene, I decided to investigate.

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To the Lake District to catch folk’s poster boy Seth Lakeman at Kendal’s Brewery Arts Centre. The Malt Room is a tiny, sweaty venue and unsurprisingly has been sold out for some time

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I was torn when I heard the announcement in November that Bad Company were reforming – it was exciting that the surviving original members were going to play live together in the UK after 30 odd years but the downside was that the London gig would be at the soulless Wembley Arena, a venue I do my best to avoid. A friend once referred to it as a swimming pool and he isn’t far wrong! As a venue it lacks atmosphere and the sound is usually poor.

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It must be difficult living in the shadow of a great musician. Ziggy Marley, Julian Lennon and Nick Harper all share that curse. Of course the

danger is that the sons all try and live up to their fathers’ reputation or that the public can never separate the two in their minds. Luckily for Nick he has the talent to rise above any comparison.

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Such is the modern celebrity media that it’s seldom, if ever, that you get to review a major award winning performer who you’ve never heard of before. However that was the position I was in tonight

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I’ve been wanting to catch Joss Stone live since her first album but forces have always conspired against me. So having managed to secure tickets to her sell-out gig at Shepherds Bush I had high expectations. Shepherds Bush is a great venue – small so it’s fairly easy to get close to the stage and get a good view which isn’t always straightforward being just over 5 foot tall!

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Much has been written over the years about both the Manic Street Preachers, and Glasgow’s King Tut’s venue. Tonight saw the two UK legends come together for the first time since 1991 to celebrate the latter’s 20th Birthday. This was very much a hot ticket event, and though some may argue the Manics are past their peak, internet prices were commanding upwards of £400 for one of the 150 pairs of tickets for this show.

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Its being 4 long years since Fear Factory split due to tension between certain band members but after reforming last year with a few changes in line up there back in the game. They may have being off the scene for a while but judging by tonight’s sold out Manchester Academy 2 they’ve certainly not being forgotten. From the moment the lights go down the crowd are going wild and then 4 silhouettes on the stage appear and there straight into the hard hitting new material of ‘Mechanize’.

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Slotted between The Big Pink and headlines The Maccabees on this year’s NME Tour Bombay Bicycle Club fit in perfectly. Having been named a band to watch in NME in 2007 it is about time they graced the stage for the magazine that has been behind them from the start, and by the sell-out crowd’s reaction it appears that Bombay Bicycle Club have well and truly broken in to the indie scene.

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Feeder are playing a set of six wonderfully intimate gigs under the name of Renegades. And in an election year they are laying down their own manifesto for our renewed support. On the evidence of their recent EP, the signs have been of back-to-basics policies, returning to their harder, grungier roots. Given that other new material is also due to be showcased, these tiny gigs have been hotly anticipated by the Feeder faithful.

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I was happy to find that the arena was packed with standing filled to capacity and most of the available seating full. The waiting crowds were treated to a 30 minute set from support bands in the shape of Thrice and glassJAw who did a great job of warming up the expectant fans. The arena plunged into darkness as Brand New took to the stage with the crowd going berserk.

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My anticipation before the sold out show tonight was high, given that Modest Mouse are among my favourite bands of all time, yet somehow I have only managed to catch about ten minutes of them live at a festival in 2007. Tonight they are in Glasgow on a tour constructed around their appearance at ATP’s tenth birthday in Somerset and in support of new EP (actually a collection of b-sides and unreleased material, but no worse for it), No One’s First, And You’re Next.

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Why am I writing two reviews in one you may ask. Well it’s not just my hectic week catching up with me, it is in fact the contrast drawn between them that struck me like a 10 ton truck. I’ll start on Wednesday night at The Railway Inn in Winchester. The Railway is a lively pub offering music seven nights a week. To say it is intimate is somewhat like describing Jordan as buxom.

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Tonight’s show at the Academy was originally planned for the smaller venue next door (Academy 2) but due to over whelming demand it was upgraded and was now to be Hollywood Undead’s largest gig of the Uk tour. The Academy venues are my favourite venues in Manchester; they all vary in size but each an excellent size to see a gig. Even stood right at the back you can still have a great view of the artist. I had heard that it was a sold out show but it seemed only three quarters full compared to what I have seen before.

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The Get To The Front team were lucky enough to get an invite to Ke$ha’s show case party which was held at the intimate venue of Centro in London. The atmosphere in the crowd was high with everyone eagerly anticipated Ke$ha’s performance. As the room filled; the vice president of RCA records came on stage to introduce her. Ke$ha burst onto the stage full of attitude, energy and confidence. Accompanied by a DJ, guitarist, and backing vocalist, Ke$ha proceeded to tear up the stage.

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The Royal Albert Hall is starting to feel like home. This is my third review at the RAH in the past couple of months and second in a fortnight. Ironically it’s a little deja vu as well. Last time also featured Snow Patrol as part of the Children in Need gig organised by Gary Barlow of Take That. The last gig will also have a bearing on this one as you’ll see later.

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A sold out Rock City in Nottingham can only mean good times, and after hearing only good things about ‘Manchester Orchestra’ from both sides of the Atlantic for a while, I finally got the chance to see the band live whilst they were supporting Biffy Clyro. The band themselves are a 5 piece rock band from Atlanta that effortlessly blend the styles of grunge with experimental with a sprinkle of pop, image if Nirvana played songs written by Kings of Leon.

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The line up was stellar with Gary Barlow of Take That bringing together a star-studded cast to help raise money for Children in Need. Then you have the added draw of a potential Take That reunion with Robbie. Options to purchase tickets were made available by a public lottery/registration. As expected the demand was huge and I wasn’t one of the lucky ones selected. Having resigned myself to watching it on TV this coming Thursday (BBC1 8pm) I was pleasantly surprised to be offered a chance to get tickets in the second round of the draw. Now the only problem was the mad panic to find my original registration details they insisted on as part of the purchase process.

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This was a night where I wouldn’t feel short changed. Not one but two support acts. Starting the evening off with a very accessible sound and looking top notch were “His girl Friday” and their lead singer Jess Mills in a very clingy dress that wouldn’t have looked out of place on Jane Fonda in the cult sci-fi hit Barbarella. Whilst her look got the attention and a few adoring shouts from some of the younger (and more inebriated) crowd, it was their performance and her sweet voice that kept the attention through their all too short set.

To contrast Jess and the whole band sound the second support act was just a boy and a guitar.

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Its 9.00 pm at the Manchester Evening News Arena, it’s a sold out crowd and Pink should be on any minute now according to the show schedule! A long 35 minutes later the lights dim down and the entrance music starts. ACDC’s highway to hell kicks in and all is forgotten about the half and hour wait. The curtains around the stage drop to show a funhouse set compiled of a waltzer car where the drum kit is placed, stairs up either side to a raised platform that has slides in the middle.

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Reformation is the title of an early Spandau Ballet song and seems to be the “in thing” these days. A couple of weeks ago I was at the opening night of Skunk Anansie’s reforming tour, now it’s the opening London night of the much softer and more accessible Spandau Ballet. With Skunk Anansie there was a near ten year gap since they broke up, this time it’s nearer twenty years! In many respects you have to ask yourself why? My impressions from the Skunk Anansie gig was that there was more to come in the way of new music. My impression last night was more of a desire to relive glory days.

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Coyly stepping around the dimly lit Green Note, in the heart of Camden Town, the bashful Jason Webley could almost go unnoticed, were it not for the somewhat conspicuous orthodox-Jewish-vagabond look that he works like no other could. Shortly before his set, he meekly waits his turn in the queue for the bar, just ahead of me. Politely, almost apologetically, he asks the barmaid if a glass of water with some lemon ‘would be ok’, peeping out from under his trademark hat. The seemingly conservative bar-punters pay little notice and chat away, but knowing smiles of Jason’s cult-like fans intersperse the small crowd. These Monday-night drinkers really have no idea what they’re in for…

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In a billowing white gown curiously teamed with robust gold shoulder plates, Florence Welch is met by shrill, deafening screams as she takes to the rose-strewn stage of Shepherds Bush Empire. Framed by a harp, lit birdcages and hanging flower garlands, the flame-haired Cleopatra raises the roof without delay as she opens with the classic anthem, ‘Kiss with a Fist’. A blur of tousled cherry locks, Florence dances wildly against a vibrant backdrop reminiscent of a William Morris wallpaper.

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The term “much anticipated” is over used in relation to describing a tour these days, however this one tonight had an nine year gap and a band split behind it to justify its Moniker. During the late 90s Skunk Anansie had 7 top 20 hits with classics such as “Charity”, “Hedonism” and the oddly named “Charlie Big Potato”. The crowd were eclectic, chilled and eagerly waiting the performance from Fightstar.

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The term “much anticipated” is over used in relation to describing a tour these days, however this one tonight had an nine year gap and a band split behind it to justify its Moniker. During the late 90s Skunk Anansie had 7 top 20 hits with classics such as “Charity”, “Hedonism” and the oddly named “Charlie Big Potato”.

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As regular readers on GetToTheFront will know I spend way too much of my life watching live music, so a Monday night at a comedy gig was a welcome change. You would be forgiven for assuming I’d come to the Lyric Theatre in London’s West End on the wrong night; this is normally the venue for the “Thriller” show that celebrates the music of Michael Jackson.

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A couple of months ago I wrote a stinging review of Madonna’s gig at the O2 where I compared her and Elton John for their money grabbing, over priced and seen too often tours. Last night’s gig is where I eat my words (well some of them at least!). For a start we are in The Royal Albert Hall and not the mega hollow, O2 aircraft hanger. As a result this is and feels like an intimate gig.

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No, Rockwell of the 1980s hit is not trying to sell out the O2 Arena! Mind you there would have been something slightly ironic about it if he were. This September date was nestled in amongst the 50 dates that Michael Jackson was going to be dominating the schedule with his massive residency. Why ironic, well Rockwell is the son of Berry Gordy Jnr (and was signed to his Motown label) and Michael Jackson sang on the chorus of Rockwell’s one hit wonder “Somebody’s Watching Me”.

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This was Ray Lamontagne’s fourth visit to the Edinburgh in recent years, this time in a bid to promote his third album, ‘Gossip in The Grain‘, and boy, he didn’t disappoint. Bringing with him support from Ethan Johns and Josh Ritter to wet the audience appetites before he graces the stage. Ray Lamontagne is certainly not a man of many words, the shy and retiring singer is about as well known for his lack of between-song banter as his gorgeous songs.

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Whilst the majority of Glasgow attempted to roar on Scotland’s football team to the World Cup, a few miles from Hampden Park a couple of hundred folk chose to catch up with this alt.country band from Portland, Oregon. Stereo in Glasgow, it has to be said isn’t the best venue if your not in the first few rows at the front. Then old lumps of concrete and ducting in this converted basement get in the way and make it interesting to say the least to get a decent view, despite the low numbers in the crowd.

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The Antipodean act reached Islington via Sydney in what can only be described as an event to unite the clubbers. There was shape throwing aplenty amongst what appeared to be a very up for it crowd, some people being a little too up for it. This reviewer receiving a request of ‘I’m from Australia and want to get wasted. Do you have any pills?’. Upon declining said request, the fan went back to his position staring vacantly without emotion at the stage, completely unmoved by what was unfolding before him.

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Katy Perry has amazing stage presence which a rebelliousness cheeky charm and charisma, to say her show was high energy would be a major understatement. Katy is known for being a fashionista, Dressed in a red and black poke a dot dress with a union jack middle, Katy didn’t disappoint and this sure rubs of on her fans with many mini Katy Perry dressed audience members (very adorable). Katy’s staging was along the theme of her album with giant inflatable Cherry Chapstick, a Flamingo and of course a Strawberry that she later threw into the crowd to be passed around.

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Many people were asking at the show ‘Who is Sliimy’, but it is clear to say everyone went away with the answer that he is the next best thing. When we first heard Sliimy was the support act for Katy Perry we decided to google him, it was apparent by many reviewers he was tipped as being a new Mika, however from witnessing Sliimy live this evening it is clear to say Sliimy is definitely an artist who has something new to offer, not just in style but with his sound also.

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In a poll of whistling, glockenspiel/guitar/violin-playing singers, Andrew Bird would undoubtedly come top, though competition is few and far between. His gig tonight is one of the many that Edinburgh’s Edge Festival has put on throughout the month of August, to co-inside with the infamous Fringe Festival. Support comes from Emma Pollock, who really gets the crowd going with her energetic set filled with mainly new material.

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Clumberfest 2009 was a 1 day mini-festival, featuring Supergrass, The Lightning Seeds and Super Furry Animals. Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire is a perfect location for an event such as this, an open space surrounded by woods, farmland and a huge lake. The weather was sunny, the mood was good, and the queue for the beer stall was ridiculous. I imagine some people will still be in it this time next week. The first act to come on were Supergrass, dare I say the finest band ever to come out of Oxford.

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In late 2006 I came across the SASBAND by accident. I was casually looking through ebay for tickets selling cheap as I had a few free nights in the following week.When I saw the listing at first I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I had never heard of the SAS Band and here was a line up of artists that read like a who’s who of eighties singers and all playing in a snooker club in Basingstoke! I assumed it must be a set of tribute artists. I did my research and then began kicking myself for not knowing more about them.

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When we first heard ‘Red Lipstick’, with its catchy pop rock sound and catchy chorus (She likes Red lipstick, fish and chips, orange juice and trips to the sea side), we were in love. Then we saw them live and we fell more in love. As they perform as the support act for The Noisettes they showed sings of not just being another support act that we never see or hear of again.

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There was a variety of acts performing among the 5 different stages at this year’s Lovebox Weekender which indicates how much LoveBox has developed though the years. No longer is Lovebox purely a dance festival as the line up this year showed a wide variety of acts ranging from reggae to indie rock. The crowd was in high spirits with a chilled atmosphere which even the odd mild shower couldn’t dampen.

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Over the past five years I’ve been on a personal mission to see bands and singers before they die. I’ve kicked myself for never seeing Queen live (with Freddie Mercury doing the vocals) and I didn’t want to be in the same place again. As a result I’ve been to a few gigs where I’ve not been that bothered about seeing the band but started out merely looking for a tick in the box. With the Pretenders history of drug abuse and band members’ deaths I should probably have got here sooner!

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It’s the 1st time NIN have played in Manchester in at least 2 years and unfortunately its there last. The Wave Goodbye tour is on the final concerts and then Trent Reznor is laying the band to sleep….. For now anyway!! From start to finish Trent Reznor is playing and singing as though it’s his last day on the earth!

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While there are many haters of Limp Bizkit and this genre of music and a lot of people who hate comebacks and groups rejoining you couldn’t deny Fred Durst the stage. Even though he is nearing 40 he still knows how to get the crowd going and what songs to play. The setlist featuring their greatest hits and a fan favourite even had the haters moving, I was near to the front in the biggest moshpit.

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Decided to treat Mrs Bumder for her birthday so decided to get a couple of hospitality tickets to see if they were any good and to avoid the chavs that like to frequent Oasis gigs. Nothing worse than being snarled at by Liam Gallagher wannabes or being unsure if you’ve just been hit by a glass of warm lager or piss. It was also going to be a challenge to see if I could consume enough alcohol to justify the rather daft price of a ticket.

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Having never seen Take That live before, and having heard only good things about their latest ‘Circus Live’ tour, I headed off to Wembley with high expectations. I certainly wasn’t disappointed, and have to say it was easily one of the best shows I’ve seen in terms of visual presentation. Even before the guys themselves came on stage, the lull after the final support act (a slightly ‘was she on something?’ Lady Gaga) was filled with clowns making their way through the crowds, performing mime acts and handing out balloons.

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Can’t beat a free gig…(even if it is Snow Patrol) and despite the best efforts by Messrs Federer and Roddick to try and make me miss the guaranteed entry time we got in and were kindly offered seats by the nice ginger haired man on the door, we actually ended up on the front row right in the centre, so couldn’t have been much better.

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It’s hard to believe it’s been over four years since Anastacia last toured, it is clear to say she is back on top form with her voice as strong, if not stronger than it ever was. In the preceding two hours, Anastacia showcases her dancing skills (including a dance-off with a fan), features a male model who strips to his underwear, revisits her biggest selling hits and even gives the audience a taster of new songs which will feature on her upcoming album.

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It’s hard to believe it’s been over four years since Anastacia last toured, it is clear to say she is back on top form with her voice as strong, if not stronger than it ever was. In the preceding two hours, Anastacia showcases her dancing skills (including a dance-off with a fan), features a male model who strips to his underwear, revisits her biggest selling hits and even gives the audience a taster of new songs which will feature on her upcoming album.

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Tennis, a sport for the masses? Upon arriving at Wimbledon yesterday, it was abundantly clear that this wasn’t going to be the sort of day I was used to. As a home and away follower of a Premier League team, I am used to hot and sweaty pubs, a third rate citizen and being stuck in places like Stoke on a Saturday evening. Don’t let that put you off though.

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Just 5 minutes after the ‘New York Circus’ had departed from the stage, the lights went low and the screams from 18,000 fans began. The impressive cinema style screen that arcs around the stage gave an intro from Perez Hilton in the circus style, and as the screen slowly began to raise the flashing of cameras was enough to light up the whole arena as Spears was lowered from the rafters dressed in a ringmasters jacket, boots & little else and launched into the first song of the evening, ‘Circus’.

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The music day fest starter for my first O2 concert was the British Music Experience, the multimedia Wikipedia style music exhibition is well worth a visit, a trip through the ages of British music prepared me for the busiest night the O2 has experienced to date with even the seats behind the stage rammed full eager for some upbeat blend of south American garage rock pop.

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