Thursday, February 16, 2017

Billy Cobham @ New Morning, Paris - February 16th, 2017



Unlike his erstwhile bandmate John McLaughlin Billy Cobham plays Paris pretty frequently but it's always a treat to catch him at the New Morning.

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Black Sabbath @ Genting Arena, Birmingham, UK - February 4th, 2017


Both Ozzy and Black Sabbath have already done farewell tours before so I think I can be forgiven for thinking this was no big deal when they first announced The End. I got to see the tour in Connecticut six months ago and I was happy leaving it at that. But as the fateful date loomed closer it started bugging me. As Dylan sang, oh Mama, can this really be The End? Very soon we'd all be living in a world without a Black Sabbath. That hasn't happened in half a century. Throughout line-up changes, passing trends, addictions, illness and deaths Tony Iommi had always managed to carry the torch.

Rival Sons @ Genting Arena, Birmingham, UK - February 4th, 2017


A typically energetic set by Rival Sons, who keep getting prestigious opening slots. It can't be easy playing before a legend's swan song but these guys were up to the task. Surprisingly, the audience was very welcoming, which is a testament to their performance. A classic band in the making.