NEWS: WET NUNS – ‘BROKEN TEETH’ EP + UK TOUR
It’s fair to say that 2012 was a massive year for the hell-raising duo Wet Nuns. Having taken home the gong for Video Of The Year at the Artrocker Awards, Wet Nuns can look back on acclaimed performances at the Reading & Leeds Festivals, Bestival, Liverpool Sound City, The Great Escape, and two riotous headline UK tours. Now those purveyors of death-blues are set to charge into 2013 with a UK headline tour, two huge support shows with Blood... Read More
LIVE: DEATH GRIPS – 06/11/2012
- SOUND CONTROL, MANCHESTER - Death Grips are probably the closest thing we have to actual punk these days. For those not aware, the story (roughly) goes: mysterious hip hop/hardcore band release a widely praised mixtape, play some intense shows. Band signs, somewhat bizarrely, to Sony backed major label Epic, announces that two albums will be released in 2012. April 2012, band release the brilliant ‘The Money Store’ album, to more critical acclaim,... Read More
LIVE: WHY? – 10/10/2012
- CENTRAL METHODIST HALL, MANCHESTER - “Is this the right place?” A gent with a check shirt enquires from beneath the overhanging bristles of his russet beard. We’re between a pawn shop and a gigantic wig emporium on Oldham St, just facing Afflecks, and yep, we really are in the right place. Plenty of others have found their way here already and are cocking a curious collective eyebrow at Anticon’s latest signing, Young Fathers. The... Read More
LIVE: EGYPTIAN HIP HOP – 09/10/2012
- SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER - Looks can be deceiving. I remember seeing a picture of Manchester based outfit Egyptian Hip Hop before hearing them and with their angular haircuts and flamboyant vintage outfits I was expecting to hear something loud, noisy and full of youthful exuberance. Instead, I heard perfect pop songs with electro tinges, strong grooves and even stronger hooks that have refused to leave my head since I heard them back in 2010. Since... Read More
LIVE: GRIMES – 30/08/2012
- THE RITZ, MANCHESTER - On arrival at the Ritz, I‘m quite puzzled by the apparent appeal of the ‘Vagina Rings’ on sale at the merch desk – replicas of Grimes’ very own lady parts [“one size fits all” but it’s a bit tight for me, natch!]. I feel a little bit uncomfortable just browsing, to be quite honest – which is probably the idea. Grimes has a background in art, and getting a reaction is what art seems to be all about nowadays. First... Read More
LIVE: SAVAGES – 24/07/2012
- The Deaf Institute, Manchester - The blow of missing the first two local Savages gigs this year – in a cage in a bunker in Salford and at Islington Mill in June – has been eased now that I can witness ‘everyones favourite new band’, in my favourite venue. Parma Violets are the main support, I saw them at the 2:54 gig back in April where I described them, pretty much, as a tribute band for The Walkmen. Some similarities... Read More
LIVE: BEST COAST – 17/06/2012
THE HMZ RITZ, MANCHESTER Now Wave gigs regularly promise plenty of bands and no fillers, as with tonight’s quadruple bill. The thankfully renovated Ritz is starting to get a little sticky underfoot again, due to spilt beer. At £4.35 for a pint of Guinness, I’m not wasting a drop. Psychedelic dark punk pop rock band Pins kick things off. The local, hotly tipped all girl band look and sound great up there, growing in stage presence it seems,... Read More
LIVE: ∆ (ALT-J) – 18/05/2012
- QUAY HOUSE, MANCHESTER - As part of the annual audio/visual festival Future Everything, Now Wave have brought us to a disused office block situated next door to The Opera House, to see no fewer than six (that’s 6) bands. We’ve become accustomed to dirty industrial warehouses and basement venues in Manchester, so this is a refreshing change. Office parties at work will never seem the same again. This gig is sold out. The venue is essentially... Read More
LIVE: KINDNESS – 22/03/2012
- SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER - I am underneath a kitchen. Upstairs they’re serving soup. On tonight’s menu: Kindness, the creation of London lad, Adam Bainbridge. His name has been floating about the online music atmosphere since 2009, but now in 2012 he has released his debut album, ‘World, You Need A Change Of Mind,’ produced by French dance producers, Cassius. The sound of Kindness can be described as off-kilter funk, heavily inspired by... Read More
LIVE: FICTION/FILMS – 04/03/2011
- THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER - The Castle Hotel is a perfect example of how Manchester’s Northern Quarter has always been an interesting place. I’m not referring to the last decade or so since a few overpriced clothes shops, bars and apartments appeared; I’m talking about since its inception over two and a half centuries ago. Obviously there have been few changes here and there, but the Castle itself has only really seen one change to its... Read More
