Blue Orange Theatre Birmingham reviews by real event-goers

Review of Mark Jenkins - Tubular Bells for the Moog Synthesizer

Review of Steve Jolliffe performs \'Cyclone\'

Loved it, the performances Jolliffe gave of two of the tracks he made with Tangerine Dream more than 40 years ago (joined for these on stage by Mark Jenkins), and his own music

Review of Mark Jenkins - Tubular Bells for the Moog Synthesizer

I've loved Tubular Bells for nearly 45 years, and greatly enjoyed this new take on it, by a brilliant musician who was very approachable afterwards

Review of Steve Jolliffe performs \'Cyclone\'

Amazing to hear Cyclone performed live after 41 years, by one of the original creators.

Review of Mark Jenkins - Tubular Bells for the Moog Synthesizer

A fascinating talk and interesting performance.

Review of Mark Jenkins - Tubular Bells for the Moog Synthesizer

A very enjoyable afternoon witnessing Mark's particular take on this iconic piece of music - I must have been impressed, I bought the CD and have already played it several times since (I'm writing this the day after)!

Review of Mark Jenkins - Tubular Bells for the Moog Synthesizer

Review of Steve Jolliffe performs 'Cyclone'

Review of Mark Jenkins - Tubular Bells for the Moog Synthesizer

Good performance at a good venue.

Review of Steve Jolliffe performs \'Cyclone\'

Good venue and a crack good performance.

Review of Mark Jenkins - Tubular Bells for the Moog Synthesizer

This was an excellent event and I really enjoyed it and well worth the money. The venue is superb and the theatre is perfect for gigs like this.

Review of Steve Jolliffe performs \'Cyclone\'

Excellent event, I really enjoyed it. It was well organised and a great venue.

Review of Steve Jolliffe performs \'Cyclone\'

In general, I like the venue and the music very much but there are a couple of things you could improve.

1. State clearly what time each event starts. Don't say things like: doors open, curfew and last entry. So if Steve Jolliffe starts his set at 7.30pm, say so. some of us are on a very tight schedule and are only interested when a performance starts and ends, not when the doors open and close. I have to ensure I don't miss my last train home so need to know when something is finishing so I can plan whether or not to attend or what time `i need to leave.

2. Label the performance correctly. This was not a 'New Cyclone', it was the old one. In fact, it wasn't even that as the 3rd song on the original album wasn't even performed. Maybe that's what made it 'new'.

It's a pity Steve wasn't a bit more communicatve with the audience as I would have understood what the first, rather lengthy piece, was as he didn't introduce it or say at the end what it was. Perhaps that was The New Cyclone? I enjoyed it but was expecting to be a bit more informed of what it was I was listening to. I thought that was one of the purposes of these small venue events.

In in all though, it was very enjoyable and I will return. These venues and styles of music are very under-represented and deserve to be better supported.

Perhaps you can brief future performers to be a little more communicative with the audiance, either at the beginning of a piece or after. It's only a small venue and I for one would welcome it.

Review of Steve Jolliffe performs \'Cyclone\'

Really ending the festival on a high! Mark Jenkins Froese tributes and duet with Cello were really good, Steve Jolliffe was really awesome, both with his solo flute & electronics piece and then with Martin doing Bent Cold Sidewalk and Rising Runner Missed By Endless Sender from Cyclone. Steve's voice was still good, a great delivery and the sounds he got out of the wind controller amazing. Wonderful visuals too. Qudos to all all involved on putting this festival on, not a bum note all weekend.

Review of Steve Jolliffe performs \'Cyclone\'

Very enjoyable. Music was excellent. The organisers put on a great weekend

Review of Mark Jenkins - Tubular Bells for the Moog Synthesizer

Fun version of Tubular Bells on a variety of synths (and some very small tubular bells!) and a very informative talk on the history of analogue synths

Review of Mark Jenkins - Tubular Bells for the Moog Synthesizer

Great performance, very interesting talk beforehand, followed by a great show.

Review of Steve Jolliffe performs 'Cyclone'

first we were treated to a fantastic duo of Mark Jenkins on electronics and Hannah Chappell on cello...then Steve joliffe came on and memorized us with his talent accompanied by Mark....fantastic day/ evening Thank you Chris Wave for the excellent organisation of festival no 6

Review of Mark Jenkins - Tubular Bells for the Moog Synthesizer

Mark is such a knowledgeable musician explained everything so clearly and the tubular bells in its entirety on the sythersier was awesome great gig great atmosphere....

Review of An Evening with ..... Richard Barbieri (Japan/Porcupine Tree)