Gig Reviews
Discover honest reviews, highlights, and stories from live gigs, featuring the artists, performances, and unforgettable moments that make every show special.
FEATURED REVIEW · ★★★★★
SCARECROW/MOTHER VULTURE — by Nick – RRR
EVIL SCARECROW/MOTHER VULTURE
30/10 2026, Manchester Rebellion.
Manchester Rebellion is a venue I have frequented a couple of times. Quite a small venue but it does provide a good gig atmosphere, so I ambled along for the above show.
Mother Vulture were handicapped by, in the band’s own words “only having three fifths of the band there” due to illness. So having a metal band try to put a set on without their two main guitarists must have been a heck of a struggle. However, with only a vocalist, bassist and drummer they still put on a great half hour or so, and I will look to see them again when they are at full strength.
Bands that describe themselves as “Comedy Bands” can often run the risk of turning into “one joke” groups, where the joke is very spread out and stops being funny by the second song. Evil Scarecrow however are an exception. This is a band that are firstly very skillfull musicians, and secondly genuinely funny and entertaining. Leaning into the absurd and surreal side of comedy, with songs about putting your rubbish out (Green Bin Day), playing video games (End Level Boss) and a heartfelt appeal to a monk travelling to the poles in a pair of sandals (The Ballad of Brother Pain), they managed to mix some great moshing moments with real laughter. Add to that audience interaction, including a bloke in the crowd having to catch an oversized fly prop with an eight foot pair of chopsticks, (yes, this really happened), getting the crowd to form a circular mosh pit round an inflatable moon while singing about a giant moth (Cosmos Goth Moth Gong), and making chicken noises while a mix between a chicken and a squid appears on stage (Release the Kraken), and you have a show that will be remembered loan after we have all raised our pincers and shuffled left to right in a crab dance (Crabulon).
All in all, if you get a chance go and see these guys. It will be a very different night, but one you will enjoy for sure. It’s a great break from the more serious side of metal, and they will definatly be on my gym playlist in the future.
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Chantel McGregor at Night & Day Café, Manchester – May
The intimate Northern Quarter venue was the perfect setting for her immersive, emotionally charged sound—a potent mix of blues, rock, and atmospheric guitar effects.
Playing some tracks from her new album which she proudly described as a bit depressing together with classics from previous albums, in my opinion Chantel blended David Gilmour style guitar solo’s with the vocals of Stevie Nicks.
From the first note, McGregor commanded the stage with quiet confidence. Her guitar playing—fluid, expressive, and technically breathtaking—was matched by vocals that moved from delicate vulnerability to soaring power.
What stood out most, however, was the deep connection she fostered with the audience. Between songs, McGregor’s dry northern humour and down-to-earth presence created a warmth that contrasted beautifully with the often haunting and intense tone of her music. This wasn’t just a concert—it felt like a shared emotional experience. C Jake’s raw sound—somewhere between garage rock and post-punk—hit with energy and bite, and they clearly won over a crowd that was mostly there for the headliner. It was a strong showing from a very talented Jake that’s worth keeping an eye on.
By the end of the night, the room was buzzing—not just from the music, but from the sense that something special had happened. Chantel McGregor doesn’t just play shows; she crafts journeys. And last night in Manchester, she took everyone there with her.
Future tour dates can be found online, you should definitely make the effort to go and see the live performance
Andy -Real Rock Radio
The Illegal Eagles’ 30th Anniversary Tour at The Lowry in Salford May 2026
This was was a phenomenal masterclass in musical replication and the moment the title track’s iconic 12-string guitar introduction rang out, the band locked into those pristine, complex five-part vocal harmonies that are notoriously difficult to replicate live.
However that was to come . The first half of the concert belonged entirely to the legendary Hotel California album, where all the tracks featured in the first half , with other gems mixed in for good measure.
The second half was even better than the first with such classics as harder-rocking tracks like "Life in the Fast Lane" injected pure energy into the room, while the smoother melodies of "New Kid in Town" showcased the band's stunning vocal range. The band were joined on sage by members of the royal college Manchester and it certainly added depth and more class to a great evening of country rock . Check out these guy,s almost as good as the real thing !
As a testament to the enduring legacy of rock, I'd like to share my personal experience as a fan of UFO since the late '70s. It was truly a pleasure to revisit their incredible music of the virtuoso guitarist Michael Schenker during a current tour. This event highlighted the celebrated UFO years, and if you’re not already familiar with their iconic sound, I highly encourage you to look them up—you won't be disappointed!
Throughout his illustrious career, Michael Schenker has navigated through both significant highs and lows; however, he has undoubtedly emerged as the premier "Flying V guitarist in the world." As expected, the setlist featured all the iconic tracks from UFO, delighting fans with classics such as "Rock Bottom," "Lights Out," and the breathtaking "Love To Love." While the current singer, Erik Grönwall, formerly of the Swedish band Heat, seemed a bit out of place—at least in my opinion, maybe because the sound Heat is a little more raunchy although the UFO sound is more classic rock nature) however the overall experience was truly outstanding.
It was indeed a fantastic night in a packed venue, brimming with energy and the atmosphere was electric, and what also stood out was the excellent customer service provided by the venue staff. They ensured that everyone had a memorable experience,( it was a hot night, they handled out water making the night even more enjoyable. Dont miss out on this gig!!!! by TC