Leisure RSS Feed


Review: Hallé Orchestra @ Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

11:52am Monday 13th October 2008

The Bridgewater Hall deserves a pat on the back after upholding Manchester’s proud Mahler tradition with two fine concerts in a week.

Review: Steve Coogan @ King George's Hall, Blackburn

1:55pm Monday 13th October 2008

AFTER 10 years away from live performances, Steve Coogan is back.

Interview: Ray Jackson of The Gathering

MEETING OF MINDS: Former Lindisfarne frontman Ray Jackson, front, with members of his new band The Gathering

2:10pm Friday 10th October 2008

A folk rock super group who made their debut in Lancashire are returning to the area with an ever-growing fan base. We spoke to singer Ray Jackson.

Interview: Ade Aslam of U2UK

Interview: Thijs Van Leer of Focus

2:10pm Friday 10th October 2008

FOR the last seven years, U2UK have been capturing the spirit of arguably the world’s biggest band with their own tribute show.

Review: James Blunt @ Arena, Manchester

1:40pm Thursday 9th October 2008

JAMES Blunt could be excused for feeling a little out of place at one of his concerts because they must be the only place where people don't criticise him.

Review: Budapest Festival Orchestra @ Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

10:37am Wednesday 8th October 2008

If Monday night’s poor turn out at the Bridgewater Hall was anything to go by the Budapest Festival Orchestra must be the best kept secret in classical music.

Interview: Walter Trout

Walter Trout

1:50pm Friday 3rd October 2008

When it comes to the guitar, few people have mastered the instrument like Walter Trout. We spoke to him as he prepared for a date in Blackburn.

Interview: Danny Jones of Outsider

Interview: Danny Jones of Outsider

2:38pm Friday 3rd October 2008

EAST Lancashire indie rockers Outsider are performing a rare homecoming gig at Darwen Library Theatre next weekend.

Interview: Thijs Van Leer of Focus

Interview: Thijs Van Leer of Focus

2:15pm Friday 3rd October 2008

FOCUS have been making music their way for nearly 40 years and now, along with Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash and Tony McPhee’s Groundhogs, they form part of a triple bill which should delight rock fans.

Review: Dara O'Briain @ Guild Hall, Preston

ON THE ROAD: Dara O Briain is ready to stand up and be counted with his solo show

4:12pm Monday 6th October 2008

THE word hysterical is grossly over-used (I once heard it used to describe the Chuckle Brothers which is surely a case in point).

Online gamers are ready for battle

Online gamers are ready for battle

9:54am Thursday 2nd October 2008

Most massively multiplayer online role-playing games are about conflict: fantastic clashes between warriors, wizards, aliens, orcs and elves.

Pure *Xbox 360 *£39.99

Pure *Xbox 360 *£39.99

10:26am Tuesday 30th September 2008

In a gridlocked, over-populated genre, Pure takes you to the highest peak of the great outdoors, screams “This is different!” and then throws you off the mountain.

NHL 2K9 *Xbox 360 *£39.99

NHL 2K9 *Xbox 360 *£39.99

10:27am Tuesday 30th September 2008

Coming hot on the heels of this month’s release of EA’s brilliant NHL 09, 2K9 was always going to have its work cut out to match or even surpass the on-ice achievements of its competitor.

My Pet Hotel 2 *Nintendo DS *£29.99

My Pet Hotel 2 *Nintendo DS *£29.99

10:28am Tuesday 30th September 2008

If you or your children are animal lovers, you won’t fail to find a furry friend that tickles your fancy here.

Family Trainer: Outdoor Challenge *Wii *£49.99

10:25am Tuesday 30th September 2008

We all know the science behind what a bit of Wii Fit can do for your weight and yoga performance, but the Wii is all about fun while Family Trainer looks to get everyone involved in the fitness thing with a dance-mat style peripheral and some crazy sports to tackle.

Tim Stockdale’s Riding Star *Nintendo DS *£29.99

10:28am Tuesday 30th September 2008

After two decades in the equestrian world, Tim Stockdale could tell you a thing or two about horse-riding, but is virtual equestrianism a one jump too far for the British legend?

Interview: Robbie Williams tribute act JK

MIRROR MAN: JK facing up to his life as Robbie Williams

9:04am Tuesday 30th September 2008

IMAGINE living your life as someone else, someone famous, someone who is known as one of the biggest male solo artist of today.

Review: The Moody Blues @ Apollo, Manchester

Live Review: The Moody Blues - Manchester Apollo

12:03am Thursday 25th September 2008

With the minimum of fuss The Moody Blues began their concert with ‘Lovely To See You’, and it certainly was. A great band, playing great music to a great crowd.

Bamber Bridge: The Poachers

Bamber Bridge: The Poachers

12:55pm Wednesday 24th September 2008

You get what you pay for? Never has a saying rung more true than at The Poachers, Bamber Bridge.

Interview: Ray Lowry

Ray Lowry

3:50pm Tuesday 23rd September 2008

FOR the past 30 years, one of Britain’s greatest rock cartoonists, Ray Lowry, has led a quiet existence in his small Lancashire home — far away from his previous life in the star-studded limelight.

Review: Romeo and Juliet @ Alkincoats Park, Colne

PARK STAGE: The audience wraps up warmly for Romeo and Juliet in Alkincoats Park,Colne

2:10pm Monday 22nd September 2008

CROWDS in Colne were captivated when the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet came to life in the town’s Alkincoats Park.

Garstang: Th’Owd Tithe Barn

Garstang: Th’Owd Tithe Barn

7:03pm Friday 19th September 2008

Full of atmosphere and character, Th’Owd Tithe Barn, Church Street, Garstang, dates back to 1710.

Interview: Paul Birchall of Combination Head

WINNING COMBINATION: Combination Head on stage at Darwen last year

12:13pm Friday 19th September 2008

Paul Birchall has travelled the world with M People. But he’s just as happy to be coming to Darwen Library Theatre next week to play the music he loves.

Review: Marc Almond @ King George's Hall, Blackburn

Interview: Marc Almond

10:34am Monday 15th September 2008

SHOWMANSHIP is an art form and one man who has perfected the craft delighted the audience at King George’s Hall.

Interview: Peter Riley of Swing Commanders

HELLO AMERICA: Peter Riley

4:31pm Monday 15th September 2008

FRIENDS warned East Lancashire band The Swing Commanders that taking their western swing music to Texas was a little like trying to sell ice cream to Eskimos.

Interview: Billy Ocean

Interview: Billy Ocean

11:16am Friday 12th September 2008

We speak to Billy Ocean — the biggest black recording star Britain has ever produced — who is coming to Blackpool and Bolton.

Interview: Joe Brown

Interview: Joe Brown

11:12am Friday 12th September 2008

As he prepares to celebrate 50 years in rock and roll with a major tour calling at Blackpool and Manchester, Joe Brown tells us that making music has lost none of its allure.

Interview: Liam Fray of The Courteeners

THIS YEAR’S MODEL: Liam Fray up front and on stage with The Courteeners

11:19am Friday 12th September 2008

THE hair, the simian swagger, the cocksure attitude and even his first name. Oh, and he’s from Manchester too. We speak to The Courteeners' frontman Liam Fray ahead of shows in Preston and Manchester.

Interview: Kirk Brandon of Spear of Destiny

Interview: Kirk Brandon of Spear of Destiny

3:44pm Friday 12th September 2008

Spear of Destiny are coming to Darwen as part of the band’s Singles Tour. We spoke to frontman Kirk Brandon.

Interview: Charlie Landsborough

Interview: Charlie Landsborough

3:41pm Friday 12th September 2008

Charlie Landsborough came to singing relatively late in his career and has built up a devoted fan base. Before he comes to Blackburn he spoke to us.


National News

New penalties for cannabis users

Cannabis users to face new penalties, Jacqui Smith said

Updated 5:31pm Monday 13th October 2008

Cannabis users will face new penalties when the drug is upgraded to class B from January next year, the Home Secretary said.


More National News »


Other local newspapers



Your Say YourCitizen


Leisure articles



Local Advertisers


Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »