'Music Live 08'
NEC Birmingham
Review by Metal Mick 'the beard' Staley

“What’s it all about ?” I hear you cry, and that was my thoughts, so I decided to go and find out.
There was a great buzz around the place as me and Joe arrived, lots of people from all over the country, a lot of which were college trips along with people and celebs from the music industry.
This event is essentially a trade fair for musicians and people interested in all aspects of this area. There were added extras thrown in, such as celebrity guests from every music genre, and every day was rounded off by concerts from some of the guests.
As we walked into the main hall it was as if I had died and gone to guitar heaven.
Everywhere you turned guitars were there, from every manufacturer you could think of and some you can’t.
Gibson, Fender, Ibanez, Cort, Fret King, B.C.Rich and more!
It was you’re chance to buy and try.
Unfortunately I cannot play anything as yet, but if you have the ability this was you’re chance to play any guitar on show, ones you may never be able to afford. At least here though, you can play one and fulfill you’re dreams.
Not only were there lead guitars but bass, keyboards, drums in fact virtually any instrument you can think of bar brass and woodwind.
This was also a chance to buy a bargain as most things were half price or more. We spoke to people who had saved all year for this event as they wanted the best gear at knock down prices. The guy we spoke to got a £1,500 guitar for £600!!!
All the stalls were busy as people tried stuff out and watched demos.
There were also competitions running over the whole weekend to win out of this world equipment and instruments.
Shows were put on during the day as acts performed in a Mini arena, the best being Joe Bonasama on the day we attended, and it was Dave Mustaines turn in the evening.
It was a totally breath taking show, and if you have an interest in the music industry or play in a band, then this show is for you.
This annual event is worth keeping an eye out for; I only wish we had more time there as we had other engagements and also a last minute thing for us.
Next time we will make this a better feature for METALGODS and maybe run a competition for tickets.
It is an event we can recommend for all metalheads.

Special thanks to the lovely Aly for getting us in at short notice