Deep Purple - LG Arena Birmingham

Full Set List

• Highway Star
• Hard Lovin Man
• Maybe i'm a Leo
• Strange kind of Woman
• Rapture of the Deep
• Woman from Tokyo
• Contact Lost
• Guitar Solo
• When a Blind Man Cries
• The well Dresed Guitar
• Knocking at your Back Door
• Lazy
• No One came
• Keyboard Solo
• Perfect Starngers
  
• Space Truckin'
• Smoke on the Water

Encore

• Hush
• Bass Solo
• Black Night
  

This has to go down as my favourite concert of the year... so far. It was just an exhibition of wonderful musicianship and wave after wave of fantastic songs. The crowd just couldn't get enough and left very happy indeed,









A conductor (who also plugged in an electric violin) travelled with the band on tour and regional musicians made up the orchestra. They really got into it and there was even some headbanging and waving of violin bows in the air.



Ian Paice is the only founding member of the band who never stopped performing with the group, and the only member to appear on every album the band has released. He is one of those rare left handed drummers. After Deep Purple split, Ian Paice went on to form a new supergroup, Paice, Ashton & Lord in 1976. The band, comprising also singer/pianist Tony Ashton, organist Jon Lord, guitarist/vocalist Bernie Marsden and bassist Paul Martinez.

Ian Pace


Don Airey joined Deep Purple in 2002 and has played with virtually all the big names in Rock. The massive list includes, Black Sabbath,Gary Moore,Rainbow,Michael Schenker Group,Jethro Tull,Whitesnake and Judas Priest. he joined Deep Purple in 2002 to fill in for an injured Jon Lord, who has since retired. We were treated to a couple of fantastic keyboard solos.

Don Airey


Roger Glover is the Bassist and lyricist and has produced countless albums and written lyrics for other bands including, Rainbow, Rory Gallagher,The Spencer Davis Group and Judas Priest.

Roger Glover


Steve Morse joined Deep Purple in 1994 with the unenviable task of taking over from the legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Ritchie created amazing guitar riffs that fused Rock,Blues and classical music. Steve has fitted in beautifully and appeared on the last four studio albums and is an amzing guitarist in his own right. He has used a signature model Music Man guitar made to his own specifications for more than 20 years (the guitar has been refretted eight times and is still the first original one).

Steve Morse


It's hard to believe that Ian Gillan is 66! He still has an amazing wide range of vocals and an energy that belies his age. He has literally been there and done it all in his career including the original Jesus in Andrew Lloyd Webbers Jesus Christ Superstar.

Ian Gillan




Deep Purple .. Where do I start? Along with Led Zepellin they are true legends and pioneers in Heavy Metal music. But yet there is so much more to them than that. Formed in 1968 constantly touring and producing fantastic music that crosses several genres despite numerous line up changes. They are simply huge in all respects with a massive back catalogue of classic albums and instantly recognisable anthems.
This tour features the backing of a 38 piece symphony orchestra featuring clasic members Ian Gillan (Lead vocals), Roger Glover(Bass) and Ian Paice the only constant original member of the band (Drums). Gillan pointed out that this was more about the orchestra provided extra texture to the songs rather than totally orchestra based.
Steve Morse (Lead Guitar) added that he doesn't see a line between musical styles, Rock and classical styles blend very well.

Cheap Trick - Birmingham LG Arena

Cheap Trick were superb and I would go as far as saying they were the best support act I have seen since Anthrax supported Metallica at the old Birmingham Odeon way back in 1986. By the end of the set the whole crowd were on their feet cheering and waving- Brilliant !



Some of the tracks played were instantly recognisable like the classic, 'I want you to want me', 'Dream Police' and a brilliant rendition of 'Gonna raise hell'. They also did a Beatles cover of 'Magical mystery tour' which went down a storm.



Robin Zander has played a 1950s Rickenbacker Combo 450 Mapleglo since the late 1970s, as well as a Hamer 12-string guitar, a Gibson Firebird, and various Fender Telecaster-styled guitars. He has a fantastic voice and is a top front man for sure.

Robin Zander


Rick Neilsen is a larger than life character! An avid collector who has over 250 guitars in his possession. He has collaborated with Hamer on trademark 'themed' guitars, some based on Cheap Trick albums such as "Rockford," "The Doctor," and even songs such as "Gonna Raise Hell." Hamer has also made unique five-necked guitars and electric mandocellos for Nielsen. I've never seen anyone throw so many guitar picks into the crowd. I was sitting 20 rows back at the NEC, sorry LG Arena (old habits die hard) and got 3 of em !!

Rick Nielsen



I was so excited about seeing Deep Purple I had totally forgotten that Cheap Trick were supporting! CT are a band I have heard of for years yet know next to nothing about. A friend of mine is a huge fan and always raves about them.
Hailing out of Rockford Ilinois they actually released their first album in 1977 although Robin Zander (lead vocals) and Rick Neilsen had been together previously in different guises.
Cheap Trick is well known for their four decades of almost continuous touring.
They have often been referred to in the Japanese press as the "American Beatles".

Lacuna Coil - Northampton

Full Set List:

Intro
Our Truth
To the Edge
I wont tell you
Im not afraid
Kill the Light
Fragmentsof Faith
Heaven's a Lie
Daylight Dancer
Wide Awake
Without Fear
Swamped
Fragile
Enjoy the Silence

Encore:

Survive
Trip the Darkness
Spellbound



The set concluded with the crowd favourite and Depeche Mode cover of 'Enjoy The Silence'. A 'wag' in the crowd shouted out 'we've already had that' ! Referring to the powercut earlier. I think it was the same 'wag' who had shouted out 'can you play the air guitar'? again during the power cut. It's true you always get one in every crowd.



Really good set list from LC which drew drew mainly from Komalies, Karmacode and the more recent Shallow life. Also good to hear new material from the forthcoming 'Dark Adrenaline'. As always the crowd were loving every minute and a good cross section of all ages were present. All was going very well until out of the blue we had a powercut! However we were treated to an unscheduled drum solo from Criz while power was restored.


Dual lead singer Andrea

Before LC we had 'Straight Line Stitch' who I confess I had never heard of ? They are based out of Knoxville Tennessee and were formed in 2000.I know all this because I was speaking to singer Alexis Brown afterwards. On stage she was crazy and swore like a trooper however afterwards she was softly spoken and meek and mild as a church mouse. In fact she was like a different person .. maybe it was?
Not really my cup of tea but they put a lot into the performance and they will have their fans. In fact there was some serious hardcore moshing going on around me.


With Cristina



Great to see Lacuna Coil again in Northampton ! Was really impressed last time and there is a review of that gig if you search hard enough on the blog history. This tour is in support of their upcoming album "Dark Adrenaline" and the "Darkness Rising Tour". They are always very loyal to the English fans and again a lot of UK dates are included on the . It's great that they are happy to play smaller venues such as 'The Roadmender' as not many groups would. Made sure I had tickets for the meet 'n' greet this time. Despite getting soaking wet waiting to get in it was great to catch up with the band especially Criz who is a top guy as well as being a fellow Sloe Gin maker.

Short Eared Owls - Bike Ride

With the light fading fast the mist was beginning to rise off the fields and the sun was going down fast. It was so calm and peaceful and the air had a magical fairytale feel about it. Sounds odd I know but that the only way I can describe it.

As I made my way around the fields quite a crowd was gathering in places as word was spreading. I had had a brilliant couple of hours loving every minute. I would conservatively estimate that I saw at least a dozen Owls maybe more?.
With one eye on the light it was time to pedal home. Managed to link up with the Brampton Valley Way cycle track which is one of my favourite places.



The Owls nest on the ground hidden among grass, heather or reeds. They are one of the few owls to make a nest. The female makes a scrape which she lines with whatever vegetation is available. One brood is usual, but when voles are plentiful may have two broods.
voles are this owls' most important prey, but other small mammals such as wood mouse and shrews may be taken. Birds, usually between the size of finches and thrushes particularly young ones, are also caught.





This year there is a really large influx of Sort Eared Owls and have spread further into the country rather than coastal areas. I understand that they have been really doing well in Scandanavia hence the large numbers. They really are a beautiful bird and bigger than I expected. In flight it is paler, more stocky and longer-winged than the long-eared owl, and the tail and wings are more boldly barred. Its body plumage is brown, spotted and streaked with yellow and white. It is pale beneath with a boldly streaked chest. There is a yellowish facial disc with bright yellow eyes set in black patches which makes it seem like a cross expression.


It was only a matter of minutes before my first sighting and it was amazing.Before long there was a pair together as if they were palying , and making quite a racket too! Brilliant to see them through the binoculars however trying to capture with my little digital camera was another matter...
My thanks go to Joe Tanner (Joe Tanner Photography) who very kindly gave me permission to use some of his lovely photos included here. More can be seen of Joe's work by following his flickr link http://www.flickr.com/photos/47897412@N05/

I did manage to capture this Short Eared Owl as it settled on a branch.

The weather was a little overcast to start with but as I arrived around 1 PM the sun was doing it's best to break through the cloud. Really are some superb views out that way and somewhere I tend to neglect a little bit. Spoke to a couple of birders who said that they had been watching 2 pairs of SEO's in one of the fields.
So made my way towards the farm and upset a couple of dogs who let me know they were not happy! Decided to leave the bike under a tree and have a wander under cover of the hedgerow.



I read on the Northants Birding site that An amazing 22 Short-eared Owls were counted at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on Friday.
This was too good an opportunity to miss despite suffering all week with a heavy cold.
Blueberry Farm is a cracking location for a variety of Owls as many fields are left untouched to attract Voles and other small mammals in an open setting.
I decided that the best way would be by mountain bike, which certainly tested my lung power after the cold. Slightly underestimated the actual 10 miles I clocked up.

Within Temptation - Brixton Academy

Support was provided by Dutch Singer Anneke Van Giersbergen formerly of The Gathering. She has duetted with Sharon in the past, most notably on 'Somewhere'which can be seen on the fantastic Black Symphony DVD which I highly recommend.





Thanks to Sarah Louise Wild for the Anneke pics.

Anneke van Giersbergen




New guitarist Stefan

Jeroen


Before the gig I actually met the band as I went through the stage door to sort my ticket query. In fact Ruud actually spotted me and shouted 'Hey Peter Arthur the liquor Man'. Remembering me from when I gave him a bottle of my home made Sloe Gin at the Fans Day.
I did have some more Sloe Gin with me and wish I had given it to him then! The over zealous security took it off me as I was going in later. They hadn't got a clue what it was. There was no point arguing with idiots and people were streaming into the venue and I wanted a good place near the front. So the Sloe Gin was confiscated....

The set list was exactly the same as for the Dutch gigs I went to so I have not replacated.They can be seen on previous write ups from Tilburg.

Ruud

Sharon in full cry


It has been a long,long wait for this one ! Originally scheduled for March at the Shepherds Bush Empire, Sharon has had another baby and the venue upgraded due to demand. Not to mention a new guitarist Stefan Helleblad taking over from Robert who is taking a back seat with production and writing duties. Also Mike Coolen is now the official drummer.
Great to see so many familiar faces both before and after the concert.
Thanks to Eddie Mallet for using his photos, for the first time ever my camera let me down!! Unfortunately it is too expensive to repair so I am now the proud owner of a Canon Powershot SX210 IS. I am sure we will both be very happy together.

Duff Mckagan Book Signing - Leicester

Since the G 'N' R days Duff has been involved in all sorts of musical ventures including; founding Velvet Revolver in 2002 with Slash and released 2 albums. He also founded 'Loaded' and briefly afeatured with Janes Addiction, Slash's Snakepit, Iggy Pop and Izzy Stradlin.





Duff McKagan's autobiography, It's So Easy (And Other Lies), was released on October 4, 2011.



Really liked how Duff took time to thank all the fans for attending and did a quick Q & A session. Seemed very humbled by the whole experience and spoke very well.



Another day and another legend of Rock and Metal this time in the shape of Duff Mckagan. Born Michael Andrew Mckagan 5/2/64 in Seattle he saw massive success in the late 80's and early 90's as Bassist with Guns 'N' Roses.
To put in some sort of perspective G 'N' R sold more than 100 million albums worldwide The band's 1987 debut album, 'Appetite for Destruction', has sold in excess of 28 million copies worldwide and reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and is also the highest selling debut album of all time in the US !