Laurence Jones The Old Brewery Store, Faversham Saturday 2nd March 2024 Set list You're not alone Bad Luck And The Blues I'm Gone Lost And Broken Don't You Leave Me This Way Lonely Road In Too Depp Going Down What's It Gonna Be Voodoo Child Woman Stuck In The Night I have never had the pleasure of seeing Laurence live but I will most defiantly be going to see him again because it was a brilliant gig. Believe me when I say that this boy can play! His tracks on Spotify do not do him justic, you need to see him live to see the extent of his guitar playing. If you are thinking about going to see him, do it! He rocked out to a room packed with some serious hardcore fans who were engrossed with Laurence and his guitar. The atmosphere was amazing, everyone was so in really high and happy spirits and they were seriously into the music and just taking in the performance. I don't know all his songs but each and every one got me moving because the whole band were in perfect time with each other. They played a song from Laurence's first EP and I loved that members of the crowd got really excited about it. I loved that they did Voodoo Child, I was at the bar getting a drink when it came on and as soon as it started, I left my husband at the bar to go back into the hall and experience the song up close and it was amazing!! If you fancy checking Laurence out for yourself, here is the link for tickets.

Around the year 2007, Europe was hit by a "Monsoon" known as Tokio Hotel. Twins Bill and Tom Kaulitz (respectively voice and guitar of the band), Georg Listing (bass) and Gustav Schäfer (drums) formed the band that led to a mass hysteria that many described as a "Second Beetlemania". With their pop-rock sounds mixed with some punk and their lyrics, they made people who are Millennials today, feel grown up. They made a whole generation dream, and I was one of those people. After releasing "Zimmer 483" (German release) in 2007 they also released "Scream" which is the English version of their album "Schrei". I was just a teenager when I saw these boys for the first time on my TV screen. MTV would just blast their music video for "Monsoon" all day and I never got tired of the atmosphere that I felt. The best way to describe it is "dramatically romantic". In 2008 I had the chance to see them live for the very first time (it was also my first concert ever), I remember that the show was incredible, from the staging to the way these boys owned that stage. It wasn't just their music that made them stand out, Bill's looks were "eccentric" as many liked to describe him, 70's glam rock meets emo and goth elements. A look that evolved through the years, we could already see a change when they released "Humanoid" in 2009 which is when he moved towards fake lather and gel in his hair. Change that also reflected the band's music, every lyric, sound and melody in this album was sharper. Everything ounded like it was calculated down to the minimal detail. When I saw them again in 2010, the experience at their shows was more than we got before. We saw a more futuristic stage, LED lights, even lighting on Bill's costume that would light up around his shoulders. At the time, the fans didn't know what was going on behind closed doors with their management, the band was incredible at hiding all the pressure they were going through. They were working really hard everyday to make as much music as possible management always had the very last world on songs due to the contract they signed when they first started out and didn't understand the music industry. So the songs were constantly changing depending on how management wanted the band to sound. Then the silence. Everything went static for a few years, the band took some well deserved time off. Some of them settled down, some moved to other countries, but like most musicians they couldn't just sit and watch the world go by. They got bck together and started to experiment again, synthesisers, a couple of them even tried new instruments. We also saw Bill try a solo career under the name "Billy" in 2016 in pop music, it was his way of showcasing his true colours and his talent. That was a big surprise, and also scared me a little, after years of silence all we get is a solo project, nothing against it don't get me wrong! I did like this new version but at the same time I was worried, was Tokio Hotel over for good? In 2017 "Dream Machine" is released we see a drastic change in their music more synth and pop this time around, like the name suggested, the atmosphere was dream like, between reality and fantasy. And finally we are listening to the real band, after changing their management, from one that had total control over the music to one that didn't, we saw them free of making the songs that they really want to and not just stick to what brought fame. 2022 brought us their latest album titled "2001". Pretty far from their initial pop-rock vibes, they're introducing something more pop and dance this time, without loosing their musical roots, the title itself is a nod to the year the band formed. With the song "When We Were Younger" the band just proves us that they didn't change, they are still the same four kids from Magdeburg who took over Europe. The lyrics were about broken hearts and the need for freedom, rebellion and being able to know ourselves. We are talking about a band with 20 years of memories and experience to bring to the table so that their newer music still had a personal touch. Their clothing might change like their music but their hearts and the emotions that ties the band together are still there and you can feel it and see it. Once again I was lucky enough to see them live in 2023, and I could feel it, it was nostalgic but not in a sad way, it felt like home in some ways, like a big comeback. Being able to jump and dance and scream to their songs was just the best. I say "lucky" cause for the first time I had the chance to meet the band and they are so fun and kind towards their fans. We also finally got to hear Bill sing (and I sang too) in German, it was rare to see him do this previously as they would do their songs in their native language when they performed abroad. They played "Shwarz" (Black), one of my all time favourite songs! I'll always cherish those moments. Bill Kaulitz released an autobiography titled "Career Suicide" which is only available in German at the moment, where he talks about the fame and the life he lived starting with his run on "Star Search" in 2003. The band will be touring in 2025 playing a show in London so make sure you get tickets o you can check them out live for yourself.

Who is ready for an unmissable tour? This November, Suzi Quatro will be touring the UK to mark her 60 years in the music industry. She has promised that the shows will include all of her bigs hits such as "Can The Can", "Stumblin' In" which is a duet with Chris Norman, "48 Crash", "If You Can't Give Me Love", "The Wild One". "Devil Gate Drive" and "She's In Love With You". One of her most famous quotes is "I will retire when I go on stage, shake my ass and there is silence." And seeing as she still has a huge fanbase, I don't think she will be shaking her ass to silence any time soon. The tour dates are all in November and they are:- 13th - The Palladium, London 15th - Barbican, York 17th - New Theatre, Cardiff 18th - Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool 20th - De Monfort Hall, Leicester To buy tickets to this must-see tour, click this link.

Skinny Knowledge twentytwo Strike Out If you want a song that will have you up and jumping around the room like a complete loony and has guitars will basically melt your face to the floor, this is the one. Sounds very early Green Day to me, which I love, with some proper little growly screams from the singer Andy lol. Going Up In Smoke Another one with some Green Day vibes coming through so good for a jump around and a dance. The guitar solo is so awesome!! "I wish I could, forget what you said, but I never would" that's all I have going round in my head after listening to this lol. Disobey This song was released by the band as a single before the band released to album, so I already know and love this song. Parts of it are a bit heavy with the moody guitars but that's what I love about it. You can imagine being at the front row at a gig, holding onto the barrier and just full on headbanging to this one. Devil Lives Within Seriously now, I feel like the devil was coming out of them in this one lol. The heavy vibe and proper growling and screaming is just brilliant! Too Scared To Live This one is such an antham song! sing it with me!! "I don't know why, I don't wanna die, but right now somethings gonna give! But still I try, as time goes by, but maybe I'm just too damn scared to live!" Now boogy around!! Listen to this song and you will exactly that lol. I Wanna (Rock N Roll) This one is what I refer to as a "boogy song", it will have your butt wiggling around for the verses and then jumping around and screaming "I wanna rock n roll" for the chorus. It's a brilliant rock amthem with great feel good vibes. I Hate That I Miss You I love this one, you get drawn in by the sad intro, you start to feel some serious heartache and then the chorus rocks you out so you can shout the lyrics and let all the pain out. "I hate that I miss - I don't wanna miss you!" Home OMG the guitar solo in this song is just amazing!! You know those rock ballads that you put on when you are doing the housework? This needs to be added to that list because I did the hoovering in half the time rocking out to this song. A Song About Lunch Can you believe they wrote a song about wishing they had a bakewell tart for lunch? You will find yourself singing, "it is fruity" randomly after listening to this, I did multiple times lol. Love the vibes on this song. Goes Around Comes Around I love this one as it is an awesome karma/break up song. The vibes I got was that it was a toxic relationship and now it's over, life is so much better and hopes that karma kicks them up the arse lol. Heavy Metal Inter2de This is what I like to call a show and tell song, the band get to show off their awesome skills on their instruments and get you headbanging. Ok, so as a round up, I frigging love this album, even though my face got repeatedly melted by the super duper guitar parts and got whiplash from the contact headbanging lol. Go listen to this album!!!

Want something different to do on Valentine's Day this year? Well how about going to the legendary venue the 100 Club on Oxford Street in London with a group of your friend to see Andy Sharrocks And The Incurable Romantics putting on an amazing country and blues show? To coincide with the release of Andy's new single "Old Leather Coat" that is being released the same day, they will be doing a headliner show performing songs from Andy's new album "Country Rock N' Roll And Durty Blues" AND what makes it even better is that it's a free entry show! All you have to do to get into the gig is go to this link to register. The night will be hosted by Riverside Radio DJ and poet Carl Chamberlain, Pete Kosanovich will be starting off the night and there will also be a guest band that will be announced soon. All sounds very exciting doesn't it? You better hurry up and register for tickets before it sells out!

This is the third album from the band but the first with singer Russ Grimmett, the first two being “Animism” and “Aces & Eights”. I had the pleasure of seeing them perform and interview them last year at Maid Of Stone, so believe me when I say that you need to see these guys live in order to get the full effort of their awesomeness. Time To Fly This song has it all, the face melting guitar parts, hard hitting drums and a belting voice. This is the song that is going to get you up headbanging and it's the perfect song to start off the album. It was the first single to come off this album and I just love it so much. Light The Fuse I can tell you now, by the end of this song, you will find yourself being an extra backup singer dancer around the room singing "light the fuse", because that is exactly what I did lol. I am so happy that this is going to be the bands next single because it means they will be playing at gigs!! Turn The Tide This song gives me big anthem vibes about changing the things in your life that aren't working before it's too late. "We need to turn this thing around, we need to chart a brand new course, we need to change this god damb plan". It's the second single from this album and you know why once you listen to it. Tertulia Time This is the perfect party song, "the whiskey won't run dry, get the shots in a line" oh hell yes lol. It's another bum wiggler one because there is no way you won't be getting up to dance to this one. I love it all, it sounds like the whole band is super tight and you instantly get the party vibes. Walk With You I really love the guitar parts on this song, they are just so hypnotising and remind me of the proper classic rock songs when it wasn't all about how fast you could play, it mattered that you could play a move people with your music. What's A Man Supposed To Do This one is what I like to call a bum wiggler song, because your bum will just start wiggling as soon as you start listening to it. The awesome beat and guitars make it impossible to sit still for this one. I love it!! Hawk Men Come This song is just amazing. It's a slower vibe to the rest of the album but Russ' voice is so theatrical, and then adding int he backing vocals and the slowed down tempo of the music just all works so perfectly together. Love What You've Got Great song with a great message, "love what you've got, not what you not". The beginning sounds like it's going to be a slowish song but then they ramp it up before the chorus. Libertine This one is going on the boogle list as it's such a good song to dance around to and it has a seriously awesome guitar solo. I've Got The Sky This one is a slow one but it builds gradually with new elements from the band being added every now so that it is the full band by the end of the song. I love the mood and the constant beat running through it. Well's Run Dry A brilliant song to finish the album with, keeps the good party vibes going, it made me want to start listening to the album all over again. This album will have your toe tapping, your head nodding and your bum wiggling from the first beat of the first song. It's released on the 23rd of February and then the lads are touring from the 1st of March so get on their website quick to order the album and get gig tickets!!

I have some awesome news for you!! South African blues rock guitarist, Dan Patlansky, is returning to the UK this coming April! He will be doing 8 dates as part of his Movin' On International Tour to launch his new album of the same name which will be released on the 1st of March. The 8 UK dates to choose from on the tour:- 5th April - The Deaf Institute - Manchester 6th April - The Cluny - Newcastle 7th April - Oran Mor - Glasgow 10th April - The Globe - Cardiff 11th April - The Robin - Wolverhampton 12th April - The Arch - Brighton 13th April - Nell's Jazz & Blues - London 16th April - 1865 - Southampton So what are you waiting for? Click this link to get your tickets! And make sure you have subscribed to my newsletter as I will be reviewing Dan's album in the next few weeks!!

This mini album is just brilliant, I absolutely love it from start to finish. Every song is so catchy and funny to listen to. It really made me think of Bowling For Soup how they have fun with their songs but touching on real life stuff. Like on this album, "Same Old Story" is about having a crap job in the cold call centre, still doing everything that they did years ago, nothing has changed. Which is the story for a lot of people. The album has been described as being about "escaping the myopic cultural life of Little England, of not accepting that this is as good as it gets, about the pull of the city, the feeling of always being different and not fitting in." There aren't many people that wouldn't be able to relate to at least one song on this mini album. My favourite track is the title track "Small Town Vampire" because it is about living having big dreams of an amazing life when you are mapping out your life and then slowly but surely, each dream is taken away or stomped on. "Small town vampire, big time dreams, just another, blood sucking scene". I also really love the voices as they are just so English lol. Get over to Spotify now to listen to it for yourself!

It's not a secret that I love Blind Channel, they are my favourite band and have been for 3 years since I saw them on Eurovision 2021 wowing the world with their song Dark Side. So you can all guess what an absolute honour it was to be asked to review their latest album, Exit Emotions. I have to admit that I was also very nervous to hear it as I was worried that there would be songs that I didn't like...... but there was no need for me to worry. Now, when I say that that Exit Emotions is going to blow you off your feet, I don't mean that it is going to gently hold your hand while you slowly lower yourself into a big comfy chair. I mean it is going to rip the rug out from under your feet so violently, that you do one of those really cool cartwheel spins in the air that you see in superhero movies, but you land on the ground with a big ass thump that shakes the whole house. As I was listening to every song, all I could say was "OMG, this is amazing". I got up and danced around because that is where the vibe took me and at the end, I had to have a sit down to calm myself. It's that good!! Where's The Exit? What a way to start the album, love this song so much. It's the shortest song on the album but it packs a serious punch to get you ready for the rest of the album. I seriously don't know how Niko sings so fast on this track lol I had to read the lyrics to know what he was saying, that's going to take me a while to remember those lyrics lol. Deadzone This is the third single to come from this album and it is still one of my top favourites. I love the fact that the idea behind it was the party where all the founding band members met as it's like they are going back to their roots. It's really is one of the best songs they have ever written. Wolves In California THIS IS MY FAVOURITE SONG ON THE ALBUM!! Omg love this song so much! I can't wait to hear this one live because it has some brilliant live show vibes and some serious heavy vibes. My body doesn't stop moving when this track is on. It also has some awesome lines:- Back home we used to be the fucking black sheep, sweet Now they calling us a flagship XOXO - Featuring From Ashes To New The beginning of this song made me laugh as it is a voice clip of someone saying (I think) "I love you too, I love you too" and it made me wonder what was coming. What I got was an in your face, hard hitting, screaming, awesome song that blew me into the back of my seat like a full on gust of wind had blown me backwards. Keeping It Surreal It is the lighter side of Blind Channel and I can't get enough of it. They call themselves the Backstreet Boys of metal and I feel like this is as pop as they are going to get nowadays lol. This is definitely my new dance around the living room song as it has such great dancing vibes. Die Another Day - Featuring Rory This was the fourth single to come off of this album. I did a review of this song when it was released, you can check it out here. I still feel the same about it, it is a beautiful song that is deeply relatable. Phobia The thing I really love about this song is that it feels like Joel's voice has gone to the next level. Don't get me wrong, the dude has an amazing voice, but this song just feels different. It starts off nice and soft, beautiful mellodies from Niko and Joel, then the first chorus blows up with some super heavy beats that will knock you over. I just know that this is going to be the song that takes over my body when it's played live. If this song doesn't get your body moving, nothing will. Happy DoomsDay This is the second single to come from this album. This is my release-my-frustration song, put this on at full volume and just scream with Niko. Best theropy I've had in a while lol. The drums on this track are my favourite, it just sounds like Tommi is battering the crap out of his kit in some parts of the song. Red Tail Lights This is going to be an amazing song to be played live. There are some nice quieter moments but then full on heavy bits. It's hard to explain what I feel this song is about, it's sounds like it's someone who just wants to mess with people, make them fall in love, use them and then just leave them. A little bit like Bad Idea in a way theme wise but the actual song a very dancy and heavy song which is outstanding! Not Your Bio More demon noises = love this track. It also has the best word on the whole album.... Congratumothafuckinglations! Try saying that 5 times after a few vodkas lol. I feel like this is another song like Glory For The Greedy about people who didn't want to know the boys, put them down and then wanted to know them once they started to become a success. So it's another reminder to all the haters that they were wrong. It's not fast paced like some of the other songs, it's a bit slower but it works so well. Flatline The first single from this album and an absolute belter. i love this one live, and it's not just because of the little dance routine that comes with it lol. The chorus is just so catchy that you can't help loving it. One Last Time Again This is the perfect song to finish the album with. It's not the heaviest song but there are some serious, almost demon sounding, growling and awesome lyrics that will make you want to replay the whole album from the beginning. This is a song that stays in the back of your mind and pops up randomly, I have lost count of the amount of times over the last few weeks, I have suddenly had this song sin my head. If you would like to get your hands on this masterpiece, click this link to pre-order the CD and vinyl. Blind Channel will be touring around Europe from March to April on their Exit Emotions tour, some of the dates are already close to selling out so if you want tickets, I suggest you get them quick!

Laurence Jones, the multi-award-winning guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter headlining ‘Bad Luck And The Blues" UK Tour. The dates left on the tour are - 2nd March - The Old Brewery Store (Britain’s Oldest Brewery) in Faversham, Kent. 22nd March - Arts Centre, Pontardawe in Wales 27th March - The Beaverwood, Chislehurst 28th March - Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis 12th April - The Citadel, St Helens 13th April - Rock & Blues Club, Sedgefield 14th April - HRH Blues Festival, Sheffield 29th May - The Old Fire Station, Carlise 30th and 31st May - Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow supporting Status Quo. To get your hands on tickets, click this link. He returns to the UK with his new power trio and a sizzling new album, “Bad Luck And The Blues” out now on Marshall Records which was release last August. When asked about the tour, Laurence enthuses “I’m very excited to be playing a short run of UK before heading out on the road supporting Status Quo for 2 dates at The Kelvingrove Bandstand. My Power trio will be visiting Faversham, Pontardawe, Chislehurst, Lyme Regis, St Helens, Sedgefield, Leicester, Cranleigh & Carlisle. See you on the road” Laurence has been described as “The next Eric Clapton” and “The British blues rock guitarist rocks the riffs on his new album in which he skilfully combines energy & feeling”.

Dan's album "Movin On" is out on the 1st of March and you can pre-order it as well as get tickets to him upcoming tour with this link. Red Velvet Suit I love this as an opening track as it makes me want to get up and dance. It really reminds me of growing up with country music, seeing bands live at my mum and dad's country music club and everyone getting up and dancing. Who I Am Love love love Dan's voice on this track. It fits so perfectly with the guitar, they compliment each other wonderfully making this track my favourite chill track on the album. I feel so chilled listening to this song, I can relax, sit back and just listen to it all day. Humbled OMG if you are looking for face melting guitar parts and hard hitting drums on a track on this album, this is it. Love the guitars and love the drums on this track. Movin On The music and Dan's voice is very calming but listening to the words, it's about being seriously down on your luck but getting past that and movnig on as the title suggests. It's quite sad. On My Way Another good dancing track to get your bum moving. The guitar parts are so awesome and although they were little bits between lines, they all just fit in perfectly. One With Fire A slowish one but still filled with great guitar parts, a few quite face melty but more to keep you listening to the track and not wanting to move away from the song, it makes you want to hear every note until the very end. Baby's Packing Heat Now this one got me thinking about chilling in a big leather armchair with a glass of whiskey, the lights dimmed low and just the sound of the guitar floating through the air. This one make me stop what I was doing and just listen. Welcome In I love Dan's voice so much on this track, it's just so soothing and beautiful. It's like it floats out of my speakers and around the room, completely calming everything around me. Free Wheelin' The bass on this track is amazing. You know those track you listen to where you stand with your imaginary bass and do your best duck impression...... you will do that for this track. I did lol. the song is a good easy listening track but the bass just gives in that something extra. Lift Off What a way to finish the album! This one got me up out of my seat because my bum couldn't stay still. From the first beat my bum was jumping around all over the place. I was up and dancing around my living room like I was possessed. There is no words but the music just moves you straight away. It make me want to start listening to the album all over again.

Blind Channel feat Rory Die Another Day Wow, if the guys from Blind Channel wanted to make everyone cry to an extremely emotional song, they acheived it with this one. This is such a beautiful way of letting people know that they aren't alone in how they feel. "If you're done with believing in life Listen up I know what you're thinking about in the dark Maybe life would be easier without a heart I'mma tear it out This world is gonna fuck you up". You just know that the lyrics come from personal experience which makes them mean so much more to the listener. The piano playing throughout the song sets the mood perfectly, it draws you in by wrapping invisible strings around your heard and holds your attention until the end. The way the song builds is genius, starting off with the piano and then the other instruments slowly come in before it's the whole band. Love it! As always, I will be completely honest in my reviews and I think that the song would have been better just being Blind Channel. I feel Joel's voice would have been better singing Rory's parts as his and Niko's voices do compliment each other well. I do really love the song, it is really well written by all of them but I just can't get on with her voice.