Opinion

Today at Stone Free was all about Prog on the IndigO2 and arena stages.  Sadly travel problems meant I arrived late and missed the first bands on the entrance and IndigO2 stages (Broken Witt Rebels and Cats in space), and arrived in time to see Knifeworld who had been recommended …

This was the first day of the inaugural Stone Free festival.  Held at the O2 in London, it offers a big advantage over other festivals – the fact it’s indoors means the traditional British summer weather isn’t going to dampen spirits.  Of course there are equally big downsides – the …

Tucked away in the depths of Birmingham’s Digbeth at The Rainbow, we embarked on a night of blues rock grooves. Local prog rock band Xilla were first to take to the stage, they had a tough job with only a small crowd to feed off. They play with a myriad …

Battered, muddy, tired and weary, but the Download faithful are still up and about for the final day early. And guess what? Despite not being forecast until the evening, the rain starts before the bands. Joy of joys. That said, there’s a little group on the Dogtooth stage called The …

Firstly congrats on the release of ‘Throne of Bones’ I was lucky enough to get it for review and I love it! I am seeing a lot of positivity and support for the release and for you guys, how are you guys feeling now the album is out there and …

After yesterday, the sight of no rain and straw on the arena floor is much welcomed, and it’s definitely a more optimistic punter that takes their place in front of the Lemmy Stage. It certainly buoys Avatar (8) as well, who are going from strength to strength with every performance …

Every year metallians watch for the Belsonic line-up announcement in the hope that one or two rock/metal acts might make it onto the bill, along with whatever generic chart bubblegum music that is currently trendy. This year was no exception, with a change of venue to the much larger outdoor location …

Blackberry Smoke embarked on their European tour earlier this month, which included a small string of headlining UK shows and a spot on the Stone Free Festival line-up, alongside Alice Cooper, The Darkness, Apocalyptica and Therapy?. Planetmosh were lucky enough to gain access to last weekend’s show at Liverpool O2 …

We’ve all heard it.  Rock is dead.  No one listens to rock anymore.  And we’ve also all heard that radio is dead.  With Spotify and instant downloads who needs radio?  Recent happenings in Glasgow would suggest that both rock and radio are alive and kicking.  A name, gone but not forgotten, …

On the eve of Camden Rocks Festival 2016, Warrior Soul played a show at The Barfly, Camden with support from The Black Bullets and The Main Grains. Warrior Soul and The Main Grains also played Camden Rocks Festival but with 200 bands to see I decided it would make more …

As the rain continued its June deluge outside, rock fans huddled inside the bar and hallway of The Robin 2 in Bilston ahead of doors. My first time here, this great little 700 capacity venue to my delight and surprise ended up packed out, not only on a Monday night, …

I spoke to Olavi from Amon Amarth at Download this year about new album Jomsviking, the upcoming tour with Testament and Grand Magus and taking the audience off to Valhalla mid-set…    

I was lucky enough to speak to all four members of The Franklys after their set at Download Festival this year, talking about how they came together, plans for the debut album and why it’s not okay to like ABBA, apparently…  

I spoke to Sally Ann and Chris from Buck & Evans at Download Festival this year discussing their upcoming album, their incredible rise to fame and where their distinct sound actually comes from…    

I spoke to John from Monster Truck at this year’s Download Festival, discussing their set earlier on in the day, supporting Nickelback in the autumn and what their biggest influence is…    

I spoke to Halestorm’s Josh Smith at Download Festival this year about their experiences during the Rock am Ring storms, how they keep on going and who the best fans in the world are…  

I had a chat with Dan Jacobs following Atreyu’s set at Download Festival this year about the comeback, why the three year hiatus was needed and whether it gets old having a drummer on lead vocals….  

I got to speak to Oli and Aaron from RavenEye at Download Festival this year about their set on Friday, current affairs within the band and who has treated them the best on tour…    

I had a chat with Tony Foresta from Municipal Waste about returning to the UK, why their songs are always so short and THAT Donald Trump-inspired t-shirt…    

I spoke to Aryn and John from Scorpion Child at Download Festival this year about new album Acid Roulette, plans for the rest of the year and how their set on the Encore Stage went earlier that day. Presumably in the rain…