Natalie Wildgoose (Supporting Chris Brain), The Attic, Leeds - 21/07/25

 

An instant hush descends over The Attic’s seated audience as Natalie Wildgoose serenely takes her place at the piano. It’s the kind of quiet respect - only to be punctuated by rapturous applause after each delicately crafted song - I wish could be bottled and distributed at will at other events. However.

Big Special 'National Average' (ALBUM REVIEW)

They say it takes a lifetime to write your first album, then six months to write your second. Presumably, the latter only happens if the former generates enough of a splash, certainly the case for ‘Post Industrial Hometown Blues’, last year’s fine ode to not-so-quiet desperation, the debut release from West Midlands troubadours Big Special. 

Black Sabbath: Back to the Beginning - Villa Park, Aston: 5/7/25 (LIVE REVIEW)

So it came to pass, the four original horsemen of the heavy metal apocalypse joined forces for one last riff-laden hurrah in the now post-industrial corner of Birmingham that nurtured Messrs Osbourne, Iommi, Butler and Ward throughout their formative years.