LIVE: LOWER DENS – 25/10/2015
Lower Dens – THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – A blue mist stands in the air as Lower Dens make for the stage. Tonight, they’re cut down to just a three piece, as their electric guitarist had to remain at home due to a family illness. Such things could stop a number of bands in their tracks; not Lower Dens, though they’ve come and brought a little bit of their guitarist – no, really he played all his bits live and recorded them just for this tour. Kudos. Jana... Read More
LIVE: THE TIGER LILLIES – 27/10/2015
The Tiger Lillies – RNCM, MANCHESTER – For those of you who know Tiger Lillies, they need no introduction. For those who don’t, well – how long have you got? For starters, there’s the painted faces, the vintage costumes and the unusual instruments (tonight including accordion, theramin, Jew’s harp and musical saw). Then there’s the falsetto singing, which, if you close your eyes, sounds like a plump 50-year-old high-society lady, who still dreams of being... Read More
SLEAFORD MODS RELEASE NEW VIDEO FOR ‘SILLY ME’
“‘Silly Me’ is about the long tunnel, the one that has no light. Another week spent walking up and down the street. The quiet tension of your living room with its shit sofa. The unconfirmed nature of ‘doing’ instead of ‘trying’. It’s that realisation that all you have to work with is your own failure, it’s the only starting point you have and to ignore it, to dismiss the reasons why unhappiness is still haunting you is a mistake. It’s... Read More
LANTERNS ON THE LAKE – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER TOUR DATES
Two years on from the critically acclaimed Until The Colours Run, Lanterns On The Lake return with their third full-length record Beings, released 13th November on Bella Union and available now to pre-order via iTunes The band have unveiled a track from the LP entitled ‘Faultlines’ which you can listen to below:They also announced a 6-date UK tour including a date at Manchester’s Ruby Lounge: Sunday 29th November – CARDIFF – The Globe tickets Monday 30th November... Read More
LIVE: FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES – 26/10/2015
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes – THE STAR & GARTER, MANCHESTER – Frank Carter’s career has been quite the roller coaster. Frank first came to a lot of people’s attention just over a decade ago as front man of Gallows. Gallows were the most ferocious hardcore bands of the time with Frank being one of the most tenacious and exciting frontmen you’d ever hope to see. Sadly after their major label second album, Frank decided to leave Gallows but... Read More
LIVE: THE BLACK TAMBOURINES / TVAM / PEACE AND LOVE BARBERSHOP / THE RED CORDS – 24/10/2015
The Black Tambourines – FALLOW CAFE, MANCHESTER – Tonight appears to be my lucky night, because 4 great bands are playing around the corner from my flat, for free. Family Tree have put this together, along with Bleached DJ’s, who are to feature regularly at this venue. I wander into the converted terraced house unopposed, a little later than advertised due to a fire alarm, as TVAM is setting up his TV set. Is the kettle on? There aren’t many bands from... Read More
LIVE: SUNDARA KARMA – 24/10/2015
Sundara Karma – SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER – After weeks of telling people to check out Sundara Karma for them to look at me blankly and ask if that’s some sort of thai restaurant, it’s nice to see that the Berkshire-based indie rockers are finally in the spotlight. Supporting the likes of Circa Waves and the Wombats has certainly paid off as Manchester’s Soup Kitchen swells with a range of new admirers keen to see Sundara Karma embark on their own tour. It’s... Read More
LIVE: THE JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION – 22/10/2015
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – SOUND CONTROL, MANCHESTER – Wouldn’t it be just nice to burst in your boss/tutor/whoever-who-call-the shots’ office and shout out: “Blues explosion!”? And then, just to clarify your position in front of a very much likely puzzled face: “Uh!” “Ah!” “Oh, yeah!” “C’mon!” “Let’s GO!” Yeahh… I picture the deliciously funny scene while I let myself hypnotise with the looping spirals on the two big screens... Read More
LIVE: BLOSSOMS – 23/10/2015
Blossoms – THE RITZ, MANCHESTER – Whilst Blossoms may have named themselves after a historic pub in Stockport, I highly doubt they’ve been popping in for a pint very much recently. After a string of massively successful festival appearances, recordings for Radio 1 and being labelled Radio X’s ‘Record Of The Week,’ they’ve acquired a very young, excitable loyal following since I last saw them at the tiny ‘Bungalow Club’ in Stockport. With... Read More
LIVE: EDITORS – 22/10/2015
Editors – ACADEMY 1, MANCHESTER – I once turned up to an Editors gig a day late. As I walked away from the queue for Fall Out Boy, I vowed I’d probably try and see them again at some point, but it never came up. And then this new album In Dreams somewhat grabbed me. It is dark, moody and punchy with some intertwining electros and synths. I hoped these would come up a treat as a live set. I’ve turned up on the right day to hear this new reformed... Read More
