LIVE: DO NOTHING – 13/10/2021
– YES Pink Room, Manchester – Do Nothing Nothing says ‘ready for action’ like a frontman strolling on stage a good two minutes after his bandmates clutching two cans of Guinness. Chris Bailey, singer in Nottingham band Do Nothing, cuts a suave presence: nicely fitted suit, a couple of buttons undone on his crisp white shirt, hair floppy and foppish framing his face. Kind of Alex Turner x Bryan Ferry. There’s something very magnetic about him, it’s hard... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW: FAUST – 1971-1974 50 JAHRE FAUST BOXSET
Celebrating fifty years since they formed, German experimental pioneers Faust have released a seven album compilation of their recordings between 1971-74. This includes the mythical long lost fifth album ‘Punkt’ recorded in 1971 but never released until this box set. They were recording it for Virgin Records but having not consulted the label first, spent a shedload on recording, then rumour has it they had to do a runner when the label wouldn’t pay the bills! Many years... Read More
LIVE: RIVAL CONSOLES – 10/10/2021
– RNCM, Manchester – Rival Consoles Let’s get it out of the way up front. Yes, this is my first ‘proper’ post-covid-restrictions gig back in a full capacity venue (Squid at a sparsely populated, socially distanced Stoller Hall in Summer does not count), and yes it feels absolutely thrilling to be sharing a communal experience with actual people in actual real life. We don’t need any more words on how fucking brilliant it is to be able to see live music again... Read More
LIVE: MAXIMO PARK / PEANESS – 10/10/2021
– Ritz, Manchester – In support of their seventh studio album ‘Nature Always Wins’, released earlier this year, Maximo Park are tonight playing at Manchester’s Ritz. I seem to have lost track of the band’s album releases somewhere along the way, pretty sure I haven’t heard all of them despite being a fan when they first broke through a decade and a half ago. Before we get to the 5-piece from Newcastle, we have first up a 3-piece from Chester. Peaness walk... Read More
LIVE: BLACK HONEY / PHOEBE GREEN / ARXX – 08/10/2021
– Academy 2, Manchester – Back in 2015, Black Honey headlined the first gig I reviewed in my thirties. They were playing a free show, to only a handful of people, at Manchester’s Castle Hotel. In the six years since they’ve hugely grown their fanbase, a prediction it was not hard to make in my review of that show, and released two albums that have entered the UK Album Charts. Tonight sees them across town at Academy 2. My evening begins with a brand new... Read More
Silent Radio – 08/10/2021 – Freebie Jeebies
Ian Burke is here with another hour of selections from the world of pay-what-you-like music. Listen, enjoy and please support any artists you like in any way you can. This week’s cover stars are Drip-Fed. TRACK LISTING Drip-Fed – Move Right Through Me / Sault – You From London (feat. Lil Simz) / Concrete Swan Dive – The Singular Mind / Kicksie – Too Well / Johnny Football Hero – Sister Hellen / Moth Equals – Pyjama Shark... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW: THE MAGIC ROUNDABOUT – UP
Released on Jack White’s Third Man Records, ‘Up’ is a swirling psychedelic gothic blast of an album, originally recorded in 1987 but only getting a release now after thirty three years. Formed in Manchester in 1986, and taking their cues from The Velvet Underground, The Fall and Buzzcocks, they had a guitar driven squalling soundscape yet topped it with dreamy vocal melodies. They supported Spacemen 3, The Pastels, Inspiral Carpets amongst others, yet despite a loyal... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW: JESSE MALIN – SAD AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD
Over the past twenty years, Jesse Malin has managed to craft some of the best americana, verging from more mainstream rock to laid back heartbreak tunes. A sound that takes in Tom Petty, Springsteen, with a twist of Husker Du and Wilco. On his latest album, ‘Sad and Beautiful World’, he’s been inspired by the phrase ‘roots, rock, radicals’. It’s a concept that’s reflected by side one the ‘Roots, Rock’ side containing tunes such as ‘State... Read More
Rig Stars: Suuns
We’re a curious bunch here at Silent Radio and decided it was time to start scratching that itch, so we asked Suuns guitarist and singer Ben Shemie what his favourite piece of music making equipment is. This is what he told us: What is it? Digitech vocalist 2.How long have you had it? About 6-7 years?.. I can’t remember.. maybe longer. How does it help shape your sound? I use it on vocals, and sometimes on synth drone pads. It has a bunch of dumb harmoniser... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW: BEABADOOBEE – FAKE IT FLOWERS
Rising star often gets thrown around a lot, but in the case of Beabadoobee, that title is more than well deserved. Bea Kristi is a 20-year-old singer-songwriter from London who has blown up the internet with viral hit “Coffee,” along with a series of successful EPs and a sample of her vocals being used on TikTok hit “Death Bed (Coffee For My Head)”, which is huge if you know what TikTok is (side note: I’m 22 and barely have a clue). ‘Fake It Flowers’ is the... Read More
