LIVE: FUTURE OF THE LEFT – 19//01/2010

– THE RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER – Intense, heavy rock can often be a po-faced affair with little room for humour or playfulness, so what better way to obliterate any lingering post-Christmas blues than a couple of hours in the company of Kong and Future Of The Left, two bands who are fully capable of creating […]
– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – Bassless wonders, Waiters, are an utter shambles. It’s conceivable that they all got given their first instruments this Xmas, formed a band, booked a gig, and thought to Hell with the consequences. The frontman somehow has a voice like a baby crying, the drummer impassive as he taps out […]

LIVE: ROLO TOMASSI – 18/01/2010

LIVE: DENIS JONES – 16/01/2010

– Band On The Wall, Manchester – Walking around Band On The Wall, it’s not difficult to see where the multi-million pound investment money has gone. Visitors are treated to plush white carpets and decorative plasterwork that make the entire venue feel like a VIP section. If you squint, the sound desk (in front of […]
– MEN ARENA, MANCHESTER – You have to hand it to Dave Gahan. He always has an ace up his sleeve – and never more so than in live performance. It’s a miracle that he still with us today after 3 brushes with death in the 1990′s and a nasty bout of gastroenteritis earlier this […]

LIVE: DEPECHE MODE – 17/12/2009

LIVE: DAYWALKERS – 15/12/2009

– GRAND CENTRAL, MANCHESTER – I’m a happy man when Tonn Piper walks into the Thirsty Scholar. I’ve wanted to see his band, Daywalkers, for years, but circumstances just keep conspiring against me. My joy is somewhat short-lived, however, as I find out they’re playing next door at Grand Central. This wouldn’t normally be a […]
OH BLIMEY, IT’S CHRISTMAS – LMRCA RAILWAY CLUB, ALTRINCHAM – I’m a firm believer that music should cover all aspects of life, it should be able to make you angry, happy, sad, serious, moody and also it should be able to make you laugh. Many people take their music way too seriously for my liking […]

LIVE: FRANK SIDEBOTTOM & HIS OH BLIMEY BIG BAND – 13/12/2009

LIVE: PLACEBO – 11/12/2009

– Manchester Central – Writing a gig review of one of the UK’s biggest selling bands is a daunting task for me, especially as I didn’t particularly enjoy the concert. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not as if they represent a genre that I’m not into… at least that’s what I thought. I’ve got a […]
– ACADEMY 2, MANCHESTER – Being named in the BBC Sounds of 2010 Longlist (actually it’s not that long, as it only contains a grand total of 15 acts) is most certainly an accolade that anyone trying to make their name in the music world would love to have bestowed upon them. Last year’s list […]

LIVE: ELLIE GOULDING – 10/12/2009

LIVE: LITTLE BOOTS – 10/12/2009

– ACADEMY 2, MANCHESTER – Silhouetted shapes with hoodies move across the stage like a scene from a poorly lit budget horror film. It’s anything but horrifying though, it’s Little Boots and her gang. The first number is deliberately slow and is set mostly in darkness. It’s intriguing and slightly unsettling. Then, bang! The stage […]
– ACADEMY 1, MANCHESTER – Was there ever a time when bands had sensible, meaningful names? The question torments me on my journey to watch Porcupine Tree and North Atlantic Oscillation. N.A.O. are a Scottish three-piece – although their bassist/keyboardist does his best to ensure they sound bigger. Plenty of retro noise-making, loops and atmospheric […]

LIVE: NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION – 10/12/2009