Review - Graham Gouldman - Heart Full Of Song - The Gate, Cardiff - 10/03/2025

Images - Tony Woolway

He’s a national treasure that most concert-goers today would not have heard of, and whilst people of a certain age would be aware of the great band he co-founded, 10cc, they would hardly have known the number of hits written for others throughout his staggering musical career.

For Graham Gouldman’s songwriting pedigree puts him fairly and squarely at the top of the list when discussing the very best songwriters this country’s produced, and he continues to do so with a quality for melody, highlighting a craft that is sadly absent today.

With a new album, ‘I Have Notes’ due to be released in July, he’s certainly not resting on his laurels with his recordings hardly short of talent with Brian May, Hank Marvin, Albert Lee and Ringo Starr, among others, all featured. One song, his current single ‘We’re Alive’ co-written with Nashville-based singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman and songwriter/guitarist Gordon Kennedy, was included in this evening’s quite stunning set.

In between classic songs like ‘For Your Love’, ‘Bus Stop’ and ‘Heart Full of Soul’, hits for legendary Sixties bands The Hollies and The Yardbirds, Gouldman informed the very attentive audience on the birth of these iconic songs, lovingly revisited by his mostly acoustic band mates.

Gouldman reminisced about about his career, the input of his father, especially in the writing of ‘No Milk Today’ a worldwide hit for Herman’s Hermits, the inspiration coming after his father had noticed the build up of milk bottles on a neighbouring doorstep and suggested it would make an interesting theme for a song.

Gouldman also talked of his great friendship and collaboration with American singer/songwriter Andrew Gold, now sadly passed, with Gouldman and is talented band performing a stunning version of ‘Bridge to Your Heart’, a 1987 hit for the pop duo Wax.

No performance would be complete without playing one of the greatest hits of the Seventies, 10cc’s ‘I’m Not In Love’, a song that along with the likes of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, is considered one of British Rock and Pop’s great masterpieces.

In an evening of great nostalgia, exceptional songwriting and quality musicianship, it was quite simply the best damp, cold Monday evening ever spent witnessing the best of British and a true musical legend.

Tony Woolway

Review - ExTC - Acapela Studio - 20/07/2024

Images - Tony Woolway

2 June 1981, one of UK’s finest bands to evolve from Punk/New Wave XTC played what was to be the band’s final UK live appearance at Cardiff’s Top Rank, promoting their Black Sea album.

It proved a fateful day for fans of the band after the prolific and influential singer/songwriter Andy Partridge’s well documented breakdown meant the band were never to play live in the UK ever again.

Fortunately it didn’t affect the flow of brilliant recordings as the band, almost Beatle-like, transformed into a studio band, that have been a major influence to many of those who followed.

Then a few years ago fans were treated to the rarest of occasions when the returning powerhouse of a drummer Terry Chambers, after relocating to the UK from Australia, hooked up with bassist Colin Moulding for a series of gigs in their hometown of Swindon.

It was a wonderful, but brief encounter as, quickly as he reappeared on the scene, Moulding disappeared back into the shadows after a job well done.

Thankfully, drummer Chambers decided to stick around and with his band of talented brothers, set about more live work leading to a long-awaited return to Cardiff, back to where it all fizzled out many years ago giving fans both young, and now, quite old, a chance to relive what a glorious sound the four Wiltshire chaps helped create.

Along with guitarist and vocalist Steve Hampton and bassist Terry Lines, TC and friends lovingly recreate the sound of XTC with a set pack full of songs that featured in such a long and very creative time for one of UK’s finest ever bands.

Chambers certainly has lost none of the power that helped drive the songs of Partridge and Moulding, proving what an essential part of the sound his drumming helped produce. Certainly with Moulding in tow, the pair where undoubtedly one of the best rhythm sections to come out of new wave, and British music generally.

Opening with the classic no 1 that never was “This Is Pop” and swiftly followed by the classic “Statue of Liberty” the band moved swiftly on to the front foot, dipping into and featuring songs from most of the group’s recorded work through the years.

Hampton in particular took centre stage replicating much of Partridge’s eccentric guitar riffing whilst holding down much of the show vocally. Terry Lines on bass wonderfully reproduced the melodic and quirky Moulding bass lines plus, when required stepped up to the microphone on a few tunes to take the lead, all the while providing backing vocals.

There certainly wasn’t any let up in the pace and following a short break, the band came back with a clutch of songs that blew away the very appreciative audience.

“Sgt Rock”, “Respectable St” and a superb “Living Through Another Cuba / Generals and Majors” lead not unsurprisingly to the bands biggest and best remembered hit “Making Plans For Nigel” .

One of group’s later songs “Stupidly Happy” featured one of the evening’s highlights as one chap kicked off his shoes to perform a David Byrne-like dance performance that beautifully synced with the music, so good that the group would be well-advised to take him on tour with them !

Ending the evening with another single that should have been a massive hit “Life Begins at the Hop” it was a terrific finish to a night of perfection and smile-induced nostalgia. Even the missing members would agree that XTC lives on in the very capable hands of Terry Chambers and EXTC.

By Tony Woolway

Setlist

This Is Pop

Statue of Liberty

No Language in Our Lungs

Love on a Farmboy's Wages

Real by Reel

Towers of London

Paper and Iron

Senses Working Overtime

Jason and the Argonauts

Ball and Chain

The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead

Summer's Cauldron / Grass

No Thugs in Our House

Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)

Rocket From a Bottle

Respectable Street

Living Through Another Cuba / Generals and Majors

Making Plans for Nigel

Stupidly Happy

Life Begins at the Hop

Review - Absolute Bowie - Earl Haig Club 24/05/2024

Images - T.Woolway

Not many would expect to spend a balmy Friday Bank Holiday evening in the confines of Earl Haig’s concert hall, yet the draw was too great for the many Bowie aficionados who attended in droves to witness Absolute Bowie perform, and no one left unhappy after an exceptional performance from the band voted the Best Band and Bowie tribute at the National Tribute Awards.

Even allowing for a few shaky moments at the start of the evening when an electrical fault caused a minor hiccup, the band didn’t get fazed and picked up professionally where they left off taking everything in their stride..

The band embraced the legend that was David Bowie, not only musically where guitarist Andy Marr proved a more than capable Mick Ronson but also by the performance, mainly from front man and true Bowie fanatic John O’Neil. Having the look and mannerisms of Bowie through the ages in his many guises, opening with Ziggy end ending with a stunningly lifelike Reality era Bowie it was something embraced by all the band who dressed accordingly.

It was so great to hear the music come to life, especially the glam rock era featuring songs from Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane plus Bowie’s extremely prolific Let’s Dance period and judging by the number of people dancing, everyone beaming the evening was a sure fire success.

It was a triumph also for Global Promotions who have brought to the Haig in recent months some of the finest tribute acts on offer, both varied and superb entertainment.

Review - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Principality Stadium 05/05/2024

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It was a triumphant return to Wales for the legend that is Bruce Springsteen and his E-Street band opening his European tour in Cardiff last night in true ‘Boss’ style with a stunning 3-hour set that left his adoring fans stunned.

I must confess that not being a great Bruce fan, it took some convincing to attend this gig, yet walked away cheerful in the fact that I’d just witnessed one of rock’s greatest ever performers and after all these years I finally ‘got’ what all the fuss was about.

Looking extremely fit for all of his 74 years and backed by the quite brilliant E-Street band his songs played live take on a life of their own played with jaw-dropping intensity and power, almost like a religious experience, worshipping at the Church of Bruce.

Opening with So Young and in Love the tempo was set early on as Bruce and band powered from song to song with little or no introduction. Songs like No Surrender and Better Days were anthemic and incredibly uplifting whist his control throughout, changing tempo and pace showed what a great and iconic performer he’s become so comfortable and at home amongst his thousands of fans, knowing full well that he can do no wrong in their adoring eyes. And he certainly delivers.

His mega band consisting of E-Street Band stalwarts Nils Lofgren, Steve Van Zandt and Jake Clemons ( nephew of the late Clarence Clemons, former E-Street giant) were what you would expect from a band with so much experience and talent, a joy to listen to as they superbly supported their leader through such an exhausting evening.

Sadly, the heartfelt solo acoustic tribute to his friend George, Last Man Standing, was drowned out by inane chatter that tends to be a problem of late at this type of gig. That and the constant stream of people heading to the bar does frustrate but fortunately Bruce was so good that this irritation was quickly forgotten.

Major highlights for me were his cover of the Commodores Nightshit, slotted effortlessly in amongst Springsteen classic like the stunning The River and Because The Night whilst the last 30 minutes of a quite splendid show was one of the best I’d ever seen with both band and crowd bonding for what was an electric finish, from one of rock’s true greats.

Setlist

So Young and in Love

(tour debut, first time since 2013)

Lonesome Day

No Surrender

Prove It All Night

Darlington County

Ghosts

Better Days

(tour debut, sign request, first time since 2017)

The Promised Land

Spirit in the Night

Hungry Heart

If I Was the Priest

(tour debut, sign request)

My City of Ruins

(interspersed with band introductions)

Nightshift

(Commodores cover)

The River

(tour debut)

Last Man Standing

Backstreets

Because the Night

(Patti Smith Group cover)

She's the One

Wrecking Ball

The Rising

Badlands

Thunder Road

Encore:

Born in the U.S.A.

(tour debut)

Born to Run

Bobby Jean

Dancing in the Dark

(followed by band introductions)

Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out

Twist and Shout

(The Top Notes cover)

Encore 2:

I'll See You in My Dreams

(solo acoustic)

Review - Blow Monkeys - The Globe, Cardiff - 30/11/2023

All images Tony Woolway

Formed in 1981 and still going strong 41 years later The Blow Monkeys have enjoyed a successful and critically acclaimed career. Splitting up in the early nineties, a welcome return in the mid-2000’s with a clutch of well received recordings, there was no getting away from the very recognisable Blow Monkey sound and distinctive Dr Robert stylish vocals which proved there’s still plenty more to come from the band,

It was a good sized crowd that turned out at The Globe for the band’s return and they provided a quite stunning evening that induced a nostalgic yearning for many whilst any newbie’s in attendance couldn’t fail to be hooked by the sultry soul funk that’s become the band’s trademark sound over the years.

Quickly into there stride from the off, and with Dr Robert (Robert Howard) the obvious focal point, he charmed the crowd with good humour in between some classy Monkey’s tunes that both musically and lyrically have stood the test of time. A fierce critic of government wrongdoing through the decades there was certainly no let up and cooling of their opinions.

Great versions of the classic “Digging Your Scene” and "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way” were obviously fan favourites for the evening but equally, impressive was “Wait” and their cover of Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” (Recorded specifically for the film Dirty Dancing). All showcased a tight and talented band with longtime bassist Mick Anker leading the way and supplying the funk.

Rounding up the evening with the brilliant Curtis Mayfield classic “Superfly” the band left a crowd to go out into a chilly November evening warmed by a band who can still produce and relevant despite the years.

Ian Prowse and Nico

No review would be complete without special mention for the evening’s support, former Pele front man Ian Prowse. With just his guitar and violinist Nico he was the perfect accompaniment for the headline band. His songs, strong and direct, especially “My Name Is Dessie Warren” and “Does This Train Stop in Merseyside” were very emotive and thought provoking. But his staring down of noisy punters who chatted away oblivious to the those listening (trying to listen) made him a hero and helped set the tone for the rest of the night.

Tony Woolway

Boo Hewerdine - Penarth Pier Pavilion 01/07/2023

TC Photography

Described in his Wikipedia biog as "one of Britain's most consistently accomplished songwriters" this evening's gig is all the proof needed to fully endorse that description. Quite simply Boo Hewerdine is a British musical treasure.

Since his formative years as lead singer and creative force in the much acclaimed band The Bible, Hewerdine has consistently produced songs of such quality that he’s attracted quite a few high-profile stars, either keen to record his songs or write with the talented Boo.

TC Photography

It’s highly likely that you may have heard a Boo song, but not have noticed. What he describes his “big hit” the Ivor Novello nominated “Patience of Angels” a hit for singer Eddi Reader features regularly on TV and Radio. Hewerdine’s version this evening was particularly moving with his audience singing in unison.

Playing another song, “Bell, Book and Candle” a tune originally recorded by The Bible, Hewerdine tells how the song as become the ‘go to song of death’ for many TV shows with a character leaving a programme never to return.

It was certainly proving a quite exceptional and intimate evening with the venue (and it’s wonderful acoustics) playing its part as Hewerdine sang the soulful “Graceland” whilst proving quite the raconteur, keeping his audience entertained between songs.

Ending the evening, Hewerdine stepped away from the mic to perform his song “Sunset” just as the sun went down on a beautiful evening.

Boo aside, there can’t be many better venues in South Wales as the Penarth Pier Pavilion for intimate gigs such as these and long may they continue in such a wonderful environment

By Tony Woolway

Coldplay - Clwb Ifor Bach....and the rest is history !!

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As the mammoth Coldplay play their second night at a sell-out Principality Stadium it is cool to remember their humble beginnings and the band’s first solo visit to the Capital, the band playing the tiny Clwb Ifor Bach, in comparison to the giant stadia they find themselves in today.

It was the 20 June 2000, an amazing 23 years ago that the band made their first headlining visit to Cardiff, it could not be more different than where they find themselves today. The band had visited the city earlier in the year as part of a package that included Shack, Campag Velocet, Les Rythmes Digitales on the NME Premier Tour.

The band were just about to release their debut album Parachutes the following month, a commercial success achieving rave reviews on release, quickly reaching Number 1 in the UK, and currently certified 9x Platinum.

It won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 2002, the British Album of the Year award at the 2001 Brit Awards and many other accolades.

Parachutes is also the 22nd best-selling album of the 21st century in the United Kingdom. As of 2020, it has sold over 13 million copies worldwide.

Coldplay were apologetic during their Principality Stadium gig in Cardiff 17 years later that they had not performed in the capital sooner. Lead singer Chris Martin told the Principality Stadium audience: "We haven't been in Wales for a long long time and that's because we've been rehearsing for 17 years to make the best show we've done."

Formed in London in 1996. They consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion and creative director Phil Harvey.

They met at University College London and began playing music together from 1996 to 1998, first calling themselves Pectoralz and then Starfish.

Review - Danny Baker - New Theatre Cardiff - 16/04/2023

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When a true legend of broadcasting Danny Baker starts talking, with that machine gun patter of his, the evening certainly flies by. 3 hours later the house lights are on and theatre staff are desperate to head home, But the great DB is only just starting and barely scratching the surface of a quite amazing career.

From his earliest beginnings living in on an East London council estate to jetting all over the world, meeting some of the greatest musical artistes of the time, whilst working for the World’s biggest selling musical weekly newspaper followed by an incredible transition to TV and radio broadcaster. His story is an hilarious one and equaly fascinating.

Baker’s life as been one of amazing ups and a fair few downs but his infectious good humour and love of life with few, if any regrets, finds a man both content with his life and extremely proud of his achievements.

The current tour is the third in a series of shows that focuses mostly on each of his three books, though very loosely, as Baker is prone to fly off in the opposite direction as he recalls something witty or interesting that he’d forgotten or the current situation prompted.

Starting with a brief (hardly!) refresh, pool cue in hand, Baker was a bundle of energy from the off, constantly on the move, and at times you felt you were at Centre court at Wimbledon watching as he ran up steps on some imaginary Fitbit.

Always prominent in his shows is his father affectionately known to all as Spud. A character that looms large in his life and an obvious influence on the young Danny, brought lovingly back to life in the excellent Cradle To The Grave TV series with comedian Peter Kay playing the larger than life patriarch Spud.

Much of the second half of the show centred on his TV career from Daz commercials to TGI Fridays, where he told the tale of how he sacked the Foo Fighters from one show after the group used their appearance to kick off during their performance. ranting and swearing and coming off stage smug in thinking that their performance would cause outrage, only to be told by Baker that their ‘live’ appearance wasn’t live but just a run through and the actual show wouldn’t be broadcast for another hour. The Foo Fighters were unceremoniously booted out without appearing.

Baker also recalls hilariously his time spent in Australia as a contestant on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, debunking the myth that they were dumped in some tropical forest but rather a TV set on the outskirts of Sydney surrounded by camera teams, production and catering crews. The disappointment of being the first out of the jungle was tempered by being left to slum it in an extremely plush hotel with everything paid for by the ITV ‘dollar’ with a handsome fee to boot.

Baker rushed through as best he could before the 11pm curfew but touchingly ended the evening with a quite emotional tribute to his wife Wendy as he described their early distant courtship, the despair of finding his soulmate unhappily married and eventually running off together with Baker and Wendy flying to the US where he was to interview Earth Wind and Fire. The rest is history and the happiest of endings.

Tony Woolway