LIVE: DAN MANGAN + BLACKSMITH – 24/04/2015

– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – … so as it transpires, this gig will be one that lives long in the memory for anyone who was lucky enough the see all of it. Dan Mangan’s profile in native Canada is somewhat higher than over here, claiming numerous songwriting and album awards throughout his 6 year […]
– THE ROADHOUSE, MANCHESTER – This is a common Tuesday night. But this is also that kind of night in which you can have just a couple of beers so as to get away from the everyday paraphernalia or experience an inspirational eye-opener and realise that you should really follow your dreams. Let’s bet for […]

LIVE: SCREAMING FEMALES – 21/04/2015

LIVE: RYLEY WALKER – 19/04/2015

– GULLIVERS, MANCHESTER – Ryley Walker sits alone, the added instruments on his new album Primrose Green seemingly not in attendance. His guitar case is flung wide like an open top coffin reminding us that he is not here to stay, that this is just one whistle stop on a very long tour. It’s a […]
– SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER – I arrive to a bustling crowd outside the Soup Kitchen in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Very busy, I think, for a Thursday night. It turns out that a local artist is exhibiting his work in the big windows of the bar (all of which are giant replications of album covers from […]

LIVE: SLUG – 16/04/2015

LIVE: THE LEISURE SOCIETY – 20/04/2015

– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – Tonight the Deaf Institute is not the thermal pressure cooker that has become its trademark during its reign as the crown jewel of Manchester’s small music venues. It is more gently packed, still busy, but comfortable. The Leisure Society are repeat visitors themselves, and like so many before them, […]
– THE ALBERT HALL, MANCHESTER – The last time I saw Godspeed You! Black Emperor (GSY!BE for now on for ease) was on their comeback from hiatus in around 2011 at the beautiful Troxy in London, and it was a thing of utter beauty and joy. For me (and many others), GSY!BE are the post […]

LIVE: GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR – 17/04/2015

LIVE: FINDLAY – 18/04/2015

– GORILLA, MANCHESTER – It’s difficult to see where Natalie Findlay’s immensely powerful voice emanates from. 3 guitarists are needed to keep her on check. The late 90’s post-punk playlist fades, and smoke fills the stage, as her band members enter this almost full venue to ‘Down In Mexico’ by The Coasters; a song recently revived by […]
– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – Sometimes, the choices you take by pure chance really do you well. Duke Garwood gives us an evening of seminal intimacy and peace of mind at Manchester’s Deaf Institute. In fact, this venue seems perfectly suited for him. To be honest, I end up here only because I didn’t manage […]

LIVE: DUKE GARWOOD – 11/04/2015

LIVE: BEN KHAN – 14/04/2015

– SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER – Not a lot is known about Ben Khan. He hasn’t done a lot of interviews, he’s not big on the ol’ social media, he’s only released one EP (the stunning 1992) with another one on the way, and rarely plays live. I can’t even (shock!) find a Wikipedia page for him. What we […]
– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – Due to the typically dismal weather, beer gardens are in short supply in Manchester. On the rare occasion like tonight where the sun still shines gloriously at gone half seven, every flimsy metal table outside a bar is keenly occupied. The smartest amongst those are supping up quickly to […]

LIVE: NADINE SHAH – 14/04/2015