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We’re fast approaching the end of another rocktastic year and all week we’re celebrating the best – and the worst – of 2009.

Today we focus on the shows which blew us away during the last 12 months.

And after witnessing well over 100 sets from seasoned vets to raw rookies we reckon we’ve found the top 10.

  Read the rest of this entry »

@ Newcastle o2 Academy, December 22 2009

Glad tidings of comfort and joy. Michael Schenker is back and on top of his game again.

And for anyone who has followed the tortured career of one of rock music’s most accomplished axeman and doubted he would ever scale such heights again, I’ll repeat: the Teutonic titan is back.

His gig at the Academy had its flaws but Schenker’s appearance, his demeanour and, most importantly, his guitar-playing were sights and sounds to behold.

Read the rest of this entry »

@ Northumbria University, November 21 2009

Pop rock buzz band Elliot Minor took to the stage in Newcastle to perform the last of their English tour dates in front of a surprisingly small audience at Northumbria University’s modest student union venue.

With their self titled debut album reaching the dizzying heights of six in the UK charts in 2008, one might have expected larger numbers. However it seems the change in venue from the city’s Academy was made to suit a more intimate crowd. Read the rest of this entry »

So it was funny while it lasted but rushonrock reviewer Tom Williams has come clean after leading the world of music a merry dance following his Kasabian review published earlier this week (scroll down to read more).

Tom’s shameless attempt at fooling everyone into thinking Jay Mehler (pictured) was, in fact, none other than Noel Gallagher didn’t actually fool anyone.

And now our favourite photographer Tommy Jackson has released this image from Tuesday’s Toon gig to blow Mr Williams’ gag out of the water. Noel or Jay? You decide….

@ Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, November 10 2009

Leicester’s finest came  took Newcastle by storm with an outstanding live show on the opening night of their tour promoting new album West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum.

Playing on stage with none other than Noel Gallagher on guitar, it is clear to see that Tom Meighan and his army are enjoying life as one of the best bands in Britain today. Read the rest of this entry »

rushonrock understands the opening gig of the Quireboys’ 20th anniversary tour has been cancelled due to problems with the venue.

Spike (pictured) and the boys were due to kick off the A Bit Of What You Fancy 2009 tour at Crewe’s famous Limelight Club on December 3 before heading to Belfast and then back to the UK for their Hard Rock Hell appearance on December 6.

And although the gig is still listed on the band’s official website it seems the show is no more. Read the rest of this entry »

@ Newcastle o2 Academy, October 20 2009

English post-hardcore band Enter Shikari took to the stage in front of a room packed full of fans ranging from primary school age to their late 50s. There’s no doubting the wide ranging appeal of one of the UK’s greatest rock hopes.

2009 album Common Dreads may not have matched the commercial success of their crtically accalimed debut, rising to a mediocre 16 in the UK albums chart, but interest in ES has never waned. Right now the boys are touring the UK, Ireland, Europe and Australia with the sold-out signs a common feature across the globe. Read the rest of this entry »

@ Newcastle o2 Academy, October 19 2009

According to Black Stone Cherry frontman Chris Robertson the Kentucky, Edmonton crew didn’t get into rock n roll to drink beer and ‘meet’ women.

That might seem a little crazy to all you spotty kids out there convinced a band is the only way to guarantee four packs and foreplay but it means the best emerging rock band on the planet is fully focused on the music. And when the music’s this good you just don’t want pints and groupies to spoil the party. Read the rest of this entry »

@ Newcastle o2 Academy, October 13 2009

It’s always a blow when you miss Heaven’s Basement but it wasn’t our fault, honest. Fortunately the first band on tonight are back in the Toon in December and we will be too.

So that left Madina Lake to pick up the pieces and just how these emo-tinged pretty boys from Chicago would raise the rushonrock spirits was anyone’s guess. A rather generous six out of 10 review for their latest record Attics To Eden didn’t bode well but it seems the Leone brothers and their buddies are a different animal live. Read the rest of this entry »

@ Newcastle o2 Academy, September 28 2009

Monday night madness in the O2 Academy with The Black Spiders and The Wildhearts playing some absolute mind blowing rock anthems.  The night began with some big metal riffs and a pounding rhythm section.

The Black Spiders stated on their MySpace page ‘if you like the first three albums that Black Sabbath did then you will like The Black Spiders’. Comparing themselves to Black Sabbath was possibly a bit optimistic but although they do not quite fill the whole boot, they are a few sizes of it  – a very entertaining band. During a thrilling 30-minute set the highlight was The Force. Read the rest of this entry »