Welcome to our April 2021 newsletter!
We hope you are staying safe and well
This newsletter outlines latest developments at Get Ready to ROCK!
 

Live music stays silent

Photo: Hollie Latham

Restrictions still in place in the UK for live music

Twelve months on and there are no real signs of the live music scene opening up again, with several Festivals putting back until 2022.

Cornbury Festival - who had announced headliner Bryan Adams - are among the latest to cancel in 2021 saying " We just don't think we'll be able to produce anything that resembles the lovely little event we've all enjoyed for the last 16 years. We also can't risk trying to stage the festival knowing it could still be cancelled at the very last minute by our Local Authorities - there's currently no cancellation insurance available and, brave as we are, it's just too scary to attempt it."

The lack of insurance is currently a main concern of organisers.

We have been noting developments on our main home page and a spot poll reveals that over 70 per cent of readers would return to live music, either with a vaccine passport or a rapid test. 

In the UK the timeline, subject to various "tests" being met, would open up the possibility of live music from 17 May.

In our analysis we noted: "...there is still insufficient data about the transmission effect of the virus, even once vaccinated. Experts warn that social distancing/wearing of masks may still be the norm in public spaces until at least the end of the year.

In respect of rapid testing, the turn-round for results would be at least 15-30 minutes. This would inevitably lead to queues and delayed entry to venues and, presumably, with social distancing and mask wearing once inside.

The lateral flow tests themselves can also provide a ‘false positive' - where someone receives a positive test result even though they do not have the virus (or a ‘false negative' when the person receives a negative result when they have the virus). The cost of these tests - if not borne by the Government - would likely add to ticket prices.

The use and benefit of any initiative that facilitates venue entry will be determined by the pace of vaccine roll-out, with younger gig-goers unlikely to receive a first jab until August at the earliest which means that - for some - early summer festivals might still be a no-go."

The situation is also complicated by foreign travel restrictions, and Brexit has made European touring potentially unviable.

The Guardian newspaper reported "The government's roadmap suggests that a return to live music is on the horizon but, thanks to a combination of a huge backlog of gigs, continuing global Covid infections, and unclear conditions for reopening, musicians, bookers, promoters, and club owners say it is far from certain."

An announcement is expected w/c 5 April which may possibly refer to limited trials using some form of vaccine/testing passport for venues and stadia.

Throughout the pandemic, we have been continuously updating gig and tour information.  We also have a dedicated Festival page with the latest information.

>> UK Festivals

>> Tour information

Our Features section highlights music you might have missed

Since the first Lockdown in the UK our reviewers have been revisiting favourite bands and albums.

Under the collective title of "2020 Vision" the series reflects Get Ready to ROCK!'s near-twenty year history.

Reviews editor Jason Ritchie commented "It is the perfect antidote to the current lockdown, encouraging readers to discover or reappraise selected artists or albums. It is also an opportunity to revisit our archive of material which has built up over a period of nearly 20 years."
 

>> Features
 

Canadian singer songwriter marks first anniversary

Throughout the pandemic, Josh and brothers Ryan and Matt plus - more recently - father Chuck have been keeping music live with regular sessions via Facebook.

The session is streamed via our Facebook page and also relayed via Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

The latest set is scheduled for Sunday 25 April when Josh will reflect on the past twelve months and with a selection of requests.

You can catch up on previous shows via our Facebook page and selected audio is available via our radio sessions page.

>> Facebook

Weekly listing signposts album popularity

Since early January we've been publishing a weekly Top 10 album chart.

The chart is announced live on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sundays (22:00-23:00 GMT) and then the list is posted to our Facebook and web pages.

Reviews Editor Jason Ritchie says: "The chart reflects website and social media activity plus radio airplay.  Although mainly including recent releases, there may sometimes be renewed interest in an older album and this is reflected in the chart.  It's different to the usual bestseller lists and also reflects the broad nature of Get Ready to ROCK! coverage."

Award winning GRTR! reviewer and presenter picks up new nominations

Our Features Editor and blues/rock expert Pete Feenstra has been carving out a niche as a prolific lyricist, collaborating with artists such as Zoe Schwarz and guitarist Zed Mitchell (pictured). Mitchell's latest album, for which Pete supplied several songs, recently topped the German Roots Rock chart.  Zed Mitchell is also up for a 'Band of the Year' award on the prestigious WDR2 radio channel.

And in separate developments Pete picked up a new nomination for UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year in the UK Blues awards which take place in May.

Pete presents the Rock & Blues Show on Tuesdays, 19:00 GMT on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, and a feature show on Sundays (20:00 GMT) when he interviews movers and shakers of the blues rock world.  His recent interview with Manfred Mann has attracted much interest, coinciding with the artists 50th anniversary (and 40th in terms of Manfred Mann's Earth Band).

>> More information

THUNDER All The Right Noises (BMG)

Thunder fans will love this album as it touches all the band's key strengths - memorable songs, party rockers, ballads, lyrics to make you think and above all, well-crafted hard rock tunes. An Album of the Year and one that could turn out to be their best since their legendary debut album. ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

TOUCH Tomorrow Never Comes (Escape Music)

This is an intriguing release, with enough of the classic Touch sound yet in places harking even further back to the seventies. Yet it is boldly diverse, rarely formularised and even experimental in places.  While nothing will ever compare to the majesty of the debut this is a better comeback  than even their most fanatical fans could have realistically imagined.  **** 1/4

Review by Andy Nathan

ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest (InsideOutMusic)

Many will say that Giersbergen hasn't really achieved the wider recognition she deserves.  "The Darkest Skies..." may be the album of much more wider acceptance.  Simply lovely.  And for anyone who has loved and lost and loved again.  *****

Review by David Randall

SCARDUST Strangers (M-Theory Audio)

At a point in time when superlatives have been devalued by overuse, it's no exaggeration to say that Strangers, the album is immense - an extraordinarily rich, intoxicating, complex mix of progressive rock styles and sources.  ****1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

TROY REDFERN Thunder Moon (Timezone Records)

After the more introspective ‘Island', I didn't see ‘Thunder Moon' on the horizon.  It's belligerent, intelligent, adventurous, imaginative, brilliantly played and easily a career highlight  *****

Review by Pete Feenstra

BEN RANDALL Before The Rain (Thoroughbred Music)

All told, a breathtaking guitar album of the highest order from a player with other-worldly skills and, what's more, an absolute blast. *****

Review by Alan Jones

>> Albums of the Month

• 1954 - Bill Haley records 'Rock Around The Clock'.
• 1964 - The Rolling Stones release their first LP.
• 1973 - Queen sign their first recording contract
• 1975 - Richie Blackmore leaves Deep Purple.
• 1980 - Brian Johnson replaces Bon Scott in AC/DC
• 1983 - Muddy Waters, blues guitarist, dies.

>>More information

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