LIVE: TV ON THE RADIO – 27/06/2011

– ACADEMY2, MANCHESTER – From their debut album, Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes, to their recent release, Nine Types Of Light, there is something deeply unsatisfying about much of TV On The Radio’s mercurial, recorded output. They are, at times, ludicrously experimental. There are few genres that they do not try to incorporate into their template, […]
MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL – CAMPFIELD MARKET HALL (MOSI), MANCHESTER – The festival that promises nothing but original work continues to draw an impressive list of international a-list artists, inspired by the concept. Maybe it’s the creative freedom that they are entrusted with that beckons these already world famous names to step out of their comfort zones […]

LIVE: BJORK – BIOPHILIA 27/06/2011

LIVE: CRYSTAL STILTS – 24/06/2011

– SOUND CONTROL, MANCHESTER – There’s something very ’Ian Brown’ about the way Brad Hargettt, lead singer of Crystal Stilts, approaches the microphone. Though he sings like Jim Morrison on downers. The huge impact made when they start their set can partly be accredited to a support band. Dirtblonde are playing early when I arrive. […]
– MOHO LIVE, MANCHESTER – Well, it was always going to be a weird gig. I’m standing in a dimly lit, smoky room with about fifty other people as hip-hop blares through the speakers , and the only real indicator I’m here to see an a capella group and not a heavy metal band is […]

LIVE: THE BLANKS 23/06/2011

LIVE: THE HORRORS – 16/06/2011

– ACADEMY 3, MANCHESTER – The Horrors were unfairly labelled a novelty act by the music press when they burst onto the live scene in 2005. With their birds-nest hair, black eyeliner and tighter than tight jeans, many thought it was all just style over substance; a Cramps tribute band with a singer who looks […]
– KRAAK GALLERY, MANCHESTER – You hear a buzz about a local band, there are a few tunes knocking around on the interweb and you like what you hear. You go to their album launch in a hidden back street venue/art gallery and you buy the album from the merch stall… then you have trouble […]

LIVE: DRIVER DRIVE FASTER – 17/06/2011

LIVE: GOMEZ – 14/06/2011

– ACADEMY 2, MANCHESTER – As a relative newcomer to the music of Gomez, I’m not entirely sure what to expect from tonight’s Academy 2 gig, but based on good feedback from many fans that’d seen their shows and several intensive Spotify sessions, I’ve come to see their live act with high hopes. Support band […]
– THE RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER – After 5 Long years the wait is over, Tom Vek returns to the stage to launch his second album ‘Leisure Seizure’.  Upon entering the Ruby Lounge I am greeted by a sense of anticipation and excitement for tonight’s sold out show, so  as the venue slowly fills to capacity […]

LIVE: TOM VEK/BRETON – 13/06/2011

LIVE: KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS – 10/06/2011

– THE RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER – Inadequacy is not something that anyone would willingly choose to suffer from, but tonight I’m going to put myself in the firing line by going to see Kitty, Daisy & Lewis at Manchester’s Ruby Lounge. I first heard them on the wireless on Phil Jupitus’ 6Music breakfast show back […]
– SOUND CONTROL, MANCHESTER – Mono are in Manchester as part of their 2011 European Tour and following their stop in London two days prior for an extra special performance of the ‘Holy Ground’ concert, originally performed in New York in 2009 to celebrate the band’s ten year anniversary, accompanied by the 24-piece Wordless Music […]

LIVE: MONO – 09/06/2011