LIVE: VONDELPARK / BLOOM – 09/05/2013
- ISLINGTON MILL, MANCHESTER - Islington Mill tends to be home to the more freaky, experimental end of the live music spectrum in Manchester, so this visit of London-based indie-electronic trio Vondelpark is a little against type. Their music is vibey and textured rather than intensive or otherworldly, but on this occasion the setting works a treat. Opening the night are Bloom, recent signings to the Salford label SWAYS. It’s an unlikely support... Read More
LIVE: NZCA/LINES – 04/10/2012
- SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER - A white backdrop adorns the wall and before it stands three figures resplendent in white shirts. Being projected onto the backdrop are shapes in monochrome hues, and then the band name ‘NZCA/Lines’ flashes sporadically. Yet there is no need for an introduction. Through the entirety of support act, Jonquil’s performance two of the people now occupying the stage made their presence known with their overzealous dance... Read More
LIVE: DAN DEACON – 28/09/2010
- ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD - Here in this intimate Salford venue, with a tangled mess of wires and boxes on the table in front of him and two live drummers either side of him, stands the husky frame of Dan Deacon, a man, who from behind his jam jar glasses, seems to have a permanent twinkle in his eye. Tonight, Dan’s incredible personality ensures that everyone in the crowd is prepared to dance and to join in the party. He’s the sort of guy who... Read More
LIVE: SAVAGES / HIGH PLACES / DIE HEXEN – 30/05/2012
- ISLINGTON MILL. SALFORD - I’m not usually one for forward planning but I felt quite gutted that I couldn’t go to the SAVAGES gig at the beginning of the month due to it being sold out (how does a few months old, pretty unknown, four piece all female band sell out in a city they’re not even from?) so I put my name down for tonight’s gig there and then, an actual month in advance! I heard rumours this gig has sold out too. There seems... Read More
LIVE: BRETON – 29/03/2012
Photos: Peter Rea - ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD - By going through these doors, we agree to let ourselves be filmed for a commercial. I was under the impression that this gig would be a little shy on punters tonight, so the scenes inside the mill come as a complete surprise. Breton‘s debut album ‘Other People’s Problems’ was released through Fatcat Records on Monday. They came to my attention through hype following a popular support... Read More
NEWS/COMPETITION: BRETON – NEW SINGLE, DEBUT ALBUM + VIDEO / FREE GIG TICKETS & CDS
Sonic and visual experimentalists Breton will release their second single, ‘Interference’ on 19th March 2012 on FatCat Records. It’s taken from the band’s hugely anticipated debut album ‘Other People’s Problems’ - due for release on 26th March 2012 - and lyrically touches on compulsive, destructive relationships, their internal compromises and justifications. It’s a bold, epic production oozing in attitude thanks to... Read More
Live: DJ Derek – 23/12/2011
- ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD - Friday 23rd December: the night before the night before Christmas. The party season is well and truly under way, but it’s not really Christmas yet. There’s no sitting around, feeling bored and consuming more food in one day than you have done all week. This is the fun bit of Christmas, making time for friends, getting drunk and dancing around merrily – cue: DJ Derek. The 68 year old DJ took a liking to... Read More
LIVE: OFF WITH THEIR HEADS – 22/07/2011
- ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD – Salford: Home of The Smiths, LS Lowry and at one time The Ting Tings! Their original home was Islington Mill a converted mill founded by Bill Campbell as a space for artists and musicians with a performance area on the ground floor. This year Campbell received an honorary MA from The University of Salford for services to the ‘cultural industries’ of the city. An honour well deserved considering the wealth and depth... Read More
LIVE REVIEW: Group Doueh/Brothers Unconnected – 11/05/2011
- ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD - There is activity across the city/cities tonight owing to this year’s Future Everything Festival which is running throughout the week. In fact, I could’ve been somewhere else tonight as Gang Gang Dance are over at the Ruby Lounge (also reviewed on the site). But there are very few things which would’ve kept me away from Islington Mill as Group Doueh come to Salford accompanied by the head of their record label Alan... Read More
LIVE: THE HORNBLOWER BROTHERS – 05/03/2010
- ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD - It was a normal weekday evening back in November of last year. I’d returned home from work and was listening to Marc Riley’s show on BBC 6 Music. As always there were some great tunes played as is expected, but on this particular night I was stood at the kitchen sink washing the pots, when a certain song started and my ears virtually span backwards on the sides of head in the direction of the speaker on the top of my... Read More
LIVE: BEACH HOUSE / LAWRENCE ARABIA – 11/02/2010
- ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD - There is something wonderfully mysterious about attending a gig at the Islington Mill. Everyone has heard of it before but no one is sure if it still exists or if it does where exactly it is. Every taxi I clamber in to I am faced with a driver who dithers for a few minutes before coming clean that without a postcode he has no idea how to get there. Three taxis and the end of my tether later I am forced to 118 it and armed... Read More
LIVE: SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE – 03/12/2009
- ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD - This is my first visit to Islington Mill, the hub for creative minds in Salford is difficult to find in the dark. It is understated to say the least, in an ‘affordable for artists’ kind of way. Four bands are on the bill tonight, organized by WOTGODFORGOT. Irma Vep kick things off with heavy Joy Division influence. Their final tune resembles The Twilight Sad as the vocalist helps the drummer add to the pounding rhythm. Gnod... Read More
LIVE: SALFORD FILM FESTIVAL MUSIC DAY/ELBOW – 21/11/2009
- ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD - Thankfully for me on this stereotypical rainy and windswept Salfordian lunchtime, the venue I’m attending is literally on my doorstep. As I leave the front door of the block of flats I live in, I barely have time to light my cigarette, look both ways before crossing the road and I am at the door to Islington Mill. As part of Salford Film Festival 2009 this former cotton spinning mill is hosting a day of music films. On... Read More
LIVE: I BIKE MCR OPENING PARTY – 27/03/2009
- ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD - After a windswept mass bike ride around the city centre, it is a short detour at the end of the route to converge at Islington Mill in Salford for the “I Bike MCR 2009 Festival” grand opening party. As well as live music in the downstairs room of this former cotton spinning mill, there is the “Rollapaluza Roller Racing”. This is where two cyclists battle it out on a pair of vintage rollers (bicycles without its... Read More
