Music

The Alban Arena is a venue with a rich history of welcoming touring acts, some of which have gone on to world-wide fame - such as Dire Straits, who played there in 1978. I saw the legendary Rory Gallagher there in 1988, more recently The Waterboys and The Gorillaz have graced the stage. It is maybe a sign of the times that more tribute bands than original artists perform there these days. So when two of the UKs most respected musical artists were coming to the Alban Arena it was likely to be an evening not to be missed!

I have been a fan of Pink Floyd since 1979, when I lost a £1 bet about whether Another Brick in the Wall would reach number one in the singles charts. A friend, who had heard the song and loved it, offered me this bet. I hadn't heard the song, but knew Pink Floyd was not a band that put out singles at all, let alone ones that would top the charts. Well the rest is history. One of the few bets I'm glad to have lost. Anyway, since that time I have seen Roger waters and several Pink Floyd tribute acts. Think Floyd did not disappoint.

Broadway's golden age of musical theatre wouldn’t be what it is today without the incredibly talented Jewish composers and lyricists of the 20th century. Together they created an enduring legacy that is enjoyed by millions of people across the world every year.

Introducing Waterloo - The Best of Abba Tribute show presented by Sweeney Entertainments and Produced and Directed by James Baker. This brand new show celebrates the music of one of the best-selling music artists of all time - Abba. 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.

The Cornish legend of comedy is back and hitting theatres across the UK on his massive 2014 UK tour. He is appearing at the Radlett Centre on the 20th June and the Watford Colosseum on the 31st November 2014. The tour, which opened to a sell out crowd at the Bristol Hippodrome in January, is running throughout the year taking in cities and towns from Edinburgh to Truro, Cornwall.

The Johnny Cash Roadshow played the Radlett Centre on the 16th February 2014. This is a review of that concert.

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!

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.

Reviewing a tribute band will always be difficult. Do they sound as good as the original? Do they look the part? Thankfully ABBA Forever came up positive on all these points and I believe the sold-out crowd at the Radlett Centre would back me on this.

"The money raised will be used to pay for a Radio Station at the school - another way to let people develop their creative side." (R.Noden)