Darren M. Leach, Journalist

The Music 2018 Writers' Poll: Darren M Leach

Here's what The Music's writers rated in 2018...

Live Review: The Living End, West Thebarton

"To say the crowd went absolutely bonkers would be a massive understatement."

Live Review: Def Leppard, Scorpions

"He played shirtless for the entire show and shredded licks like it was 1987 all over again."

Live Review: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever

"There’s none of that 'waiting a few songs to warm up the crowd' gimmick, the band are in top gear from when the first note is struck."

Live Review: Queens Of The Stone Age, CW Stoneking, The Chats

"Time for Queens Of The Stone Age to take it up a notch!"

Live Review: The Dunes, The Howling Fog

"The Dunes and The Howling Fog are a match made in psych-rock heaven."

Live Review: City Calm Down

"Bourke was restricted on this smallish stage, sharing it with six other musicians."

Event Focus: Suncebeat Festival, Croatia

Live Review: The Cribs

"A band that doesn't need to use the first few songs to warm up, they are ready to hit the ground running as soon as they set foot on the stage."

Live Review: Stereophonics

"Jones seems ageless and his voice is as strong as ever. Bassist Richard Jones - no relation - still knows how to keep that groove going, while Adam Zindani shredded away quietly left of stage."