Music

I never got round to seeing David Bowie live and of course I never will now, so the opportunity to see a highly-rated tribute act on my doorstep was not to be missed. The sound at the Harpenden Halls has been pretty ropey in the past, but from the first notes it was clear that this band had their own PA and had made an effort to get the sound right. The show consisted of two sets, with the first one comprising of songs from his great period in the early seventies - Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane. The costumes and sound was pretty much spot on. The band were note perfect and classic after classic followed.

I have seen many tribute acts over the last several years, in various venues. Generally they try to look and sound like the original artist and give the audience the greatest hits. Totally Tina certainly did this, with clips of Tina herself at times, as well as stories of Tina during her career and the artists she sang duets with and the songs she chose to cover.

On the Saturday 8th March 2014 Think Floyd will be coming to The Radlett Centre, show starting 8pm. Tickets are £20.00 and £18.00 and you can book on 01923 859291. I interviewed Lewis Hall of the band about the show, why a Pink Floyd tribute and and lots more. You can hear the interview below.

Vocal trio BLAKE return with their ‘Live In Concert’ tour for 2014. Touring the length and breadth of the UK BLAKE will provide an evening of great music and entertainment from these singers whose stunning harmonies and rat-pack banter have been entertaining audiences around the world. As well as classic songs from their three previous chart-topping and award-winning albums BLAKE are looking forward to performing songs from their latest album ‘Start Over’.

I've seen Think Floyd a few times now and they never disappoint. Of course playing the music of Pink Floyd means you have an amazing musical back catalogue to work through. And for the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd they did just that, playing something from each album. Personally I have little love for the very earliest and latest albums in their history, but it made for an opportunity to hear some pieces that I had long since forgotten. I could happily just have Dark Side of The Moon and Wish You Were Here back to back and go home smiling, so I suppose good to make me broaden my horizons.

Following a fantastic opening year in 2015, Waterloo - The Best of Abba Tribute Show returns in 2018 delighting audiences and bringing the “Abba Party” to venues up and down the country. This truly phenomenal tribute show is presented by Sweeney Entertainments and Produced & Directed by James Baker. In 1974 the little known Swedish pop group ABBA swept to superstardom with their Eurovision winning Waterloo, and four decades later the song and the band remain as popular as ever. Waterloo looks back at the sensational rise to stardom of Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid and gives fans the opportunity to experience the thrill of a live ABBA show!

he Music in the Parks season comes to Clarence Park, St Albans on Sunday, 29 July with a line-up of some of the finest local acoustic talent. This free concert will provide a platform for local performers David Hoare, ‘The 45’s’, Alex Lilly, and The Vaulted Skies to show off their musical talent. Music in the Parks events are provided throughout the summer by St Albans City and District Council at Verulamium Park, Clarence Park, Rothamsted Park and Redbourn Common. The concerts feature an eclectic line-up of talented local artists and are managed by the Arts Team at St Albans Arts, Sport and Health (SAASH) – the development arm of Leisure Connection.

On the Sunday 16th February 2014 the Johnny Cash Roadshow will be coming to The Radlett Centre, show starting 8pm. Tickets are £18.50 and £17.50 and you can book on 01923 859291. I spoke to Clive John who performs as Johnny Cash in the show and asked him, various questions, such as - Why Johnny Cash? What is it about him or his music that appeals to you?

To celebrate their 10th year anniversary and 30 years since The Beautiful South released ‘Song For Whoever’, The South are back this Spring, with a March 2019 - UK Tour playing shows up and down the whole of the UK. The South are an impressive 9 piece band who feature former members of The Beautiful South including singer Alison Wheeler and lifelong sax player Gaz Birtles.  Since Dave Hemingway, the original singer, left the group at the end of 2016, Gaz has moved across to front the band with Alison and taken on vocal duties. They play the songs made famous by The Beautiful South and bring back the full flavour and arrangements with this exciting live band.

More on events to be enjoyed in St Albans (May 2011)