LIVE: FICTION/FILMS – 04/03/2011

– THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER – The Castle Hotel is a perfect example of how Manchester’s Northern Quarter has always been an interesting place. I’m not referring to the last decade or so since a few overpriced clothes shops, bars and apartments appeared; I’m talking about since its inception over two and a half centuries […]
– ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD – Listening to ‘Transparent Things’ by Fujiya and Miyagi reminds me of a fabulously misguided time when I bought a one- way ticket to Barcelona, and having no firm plans once I got there it was the perfect soundtrack to an adventure I didn’t know how would end. However, because of […]

LIVE: FUJIYA & MIYAGI – 03/03/2011

LIVE: JAMES BLAKE – 26/02/2011

– BAND ON THE WALL, MANCHESTER – A few months ago, I bought a couple of James Blake’s dubstep EP’s, ‘Klavierwerke’ and ‘CMYK’. LastFM said I would like him as I like Burial and Mount Kimbie… they were right. Then he started singing and Radio 1 shot him into space. Band On The Wall has […]
– THE APOLLO THEATRE, MANCHESTER – I heard Ben Folds’ Five’s ‘Underground’ on Mark Radcliffe’s Radio1 show back in 1995, but I’ve heard virtually nothing in the interim – during which Folds has ditched the Five, and worked with a variety of musicians, including Regina Spektor, Elton John and Rufus Wainwright. This tour showcases his […]

LIVE: BEN FOLDS – 24/02/2011

LIVE: LES SAVY FAV – 24/02/2011

– MOHO LIVE, MANCHESTER – How does one even begin to describe a Les Savy Fav gig? Tonight will be the fourth time I’ve seen the Brooklyn quintet in less than three years and each time I’ve been left astounded, amazed and bewildered. Lead singer Tim Harrington is like the devil’s own instrument of chaos […]
– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – I’m delusional.  I haven’t reached the stage where I’m walking out in front of buses saying “it’s ok, I’m Jesus, I can reverse time”, or some such jive, but I’m beginning to do and say things that are almost as bad.  Before tonight’s gig at the Deaf Institute, I […]

LIVE: GLASSER/SAMPHA – 21/02/2011

LIVE: TODDLA T – 19/02/2011

– THE ROADHOUSE, MANCHESTER – Before going out to see Toddla T on Saturday night I am reading a newspaper article about the rise in the number of fried chicken shops in Britain and the causes for this seemingly unstoppable growth in popularity for a few sinewy pieces of deep- fried meat. One of the […]
– THE RITZ BALLROOM, MANCHESTER – Teeth of the Sea’s show starts with a very odd sample, which sounds like a Transformer repeating the phrase “Egg Roaming”. Then it gets weirder. Frankie Goes to Hollywood is the most normal thing I can compare with, and one song sounds like Alice in Chains’ ‘Iron Gland’. When […]

LIVE: TEETH OF THE SEA (SUPPORTING BRITISH SEA POWER) – 15/02/2011

LIVE: JOAN AS POLICEWOMAN – 09/02/2011

– SOUND CONTROL, MANCHESTER – Joan Wasser arrives in Manchester tonight in support of her latest release ‘The Deep Field,’ a record that cements further her reputation as soul diva for the hipster generation. She appears on stage like a vision, clad in a black leather jump suit accompanied by band members Tyler Wood and […]
– NIGHT & DAY CAFE, MANCHESTER – Lulu and the Lampshades are made up of members, Luisa, Heloise, Jemma and Dan. There appears to be much talk of their happy and bright musical jaunts that have been arranged in some cut and paste fashion leaving a slap dash smile on your face. They appear to […]

LIVE: LULU AND THE LAMPSHADES – 08/02/2011