LIVE: JESCA HOOP – 27/08/2011

– BAND ON THE WALL, MANCHESTER – If you are to be judged by the company you keep, then Jesca Hoop is in some pretty esteemed company. Beatnik Bard Tom Waits is already somewhat out there… so imagine what his nanny might look like.  Jesca Hoop was that gal, nanny to his three children and […]
– A CELLAR IN CHORLTON, MANCHESTER – Ahead of the release of their new album (September 5th), I happen to catch Airship in concert at a 30th birthday house-party for the guitarist from my band. To say it is a ‘somewhat intimate venue’ might be an understatement, as fifty-plus people risk fire-related death, crammed in to one […]

LIVE: AIRSHIP – 26/08/2011

LIVE: SEBADOH – 23/08/2011

– ACADEMY 1, MANCHESTER – Sebadoh are the band you should love…why you ask? Basically, Lou Barlow is the lecturer that you wanted to teach you English literature and philosophy whilst Jason Lowenstein is the kool guy that you wished taught you the guitar, bass, drums, keyboards etc – mainly because he plays them all!!! […]
– THE RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER – The loudest thing in music must be the 2 piece rock band. The White Stripes managed to make my ears bleed from the other side of a field in Leeds, The Black Keys had Manchester Academy shaking in it’s foundations and I remember The Kills forced the keen ones at […]

LIVE: WYE OAK – 22/08/2011

LIVE: WILD NOTHING – 21/08/2011

– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – Now Wave have built a great reputation in Manchester, their events always appear to provide large crowds and great support acts to supplement their exciting, current and fresh headliners. Tonight is no exception, I’ve regrettably been unable to leave the house earlier due to too much Sunday roast and […]
– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – Turning up at the Deaf Institute tonight to celebrate their 30th anniversary, Shonen Knife is a musician’s band, in the same way Peter Cook was a comedian’s comedian, loved by connoisseurs and music buffs but managing, relatively, to avoid even the alternative music scene’s radar during their impressive career. […]

LIVE: SHONEN KNIFE – 13/08/2011

LIVE: DANIEL JOHNSTON – 12/08/2011

– SOUND CONTROL, MANCHESTER – Recording and releasing music with paced regularity since the early eighties, seeing Daniel Johnston on an occasion when he is not touring new material is something of a treat, as you come expecting everything and nothing. No latest album obligations, just a timely run through of his best and biggest […]
– THE RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER – The sign outside Manchester’s coolest gig venue reads ‘Sold Out’. There’s a large crowd milling around, most with tickets and a few poor sods without. So what’s the difference between Chameleons Vox and the band of old? Well musically, almost nothing. Mark Burgess has handed his bass guitar to […]

LIVE: CHAMELEONS VOX – 12/08/2011

LIVE: WASHED OUT – 08/08/11

– DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – I found it difficult to tear myself away from the live news coverage, tonight. Watching businesses in London with families living above, being looted and then torched, didn’t really put me in the mood for a gig. But, as they say, the show must go on. Star Slinger has the unenviable […]
Saturday Waking up from possibly the worst night’s sleep and feeling like a microwave meal – it was so hot in the tent I burst out before I exploded; I feel far from ‘top of the morning’.  Although we are in the quiet family camping area large groups of teenagers and lads camping together seem […]

LIVE: KENDAL CALLING 2011