LIVE: RIDING THE LOW – 22/01/2010

– THE RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER – I’m a little dubious about tonight’s gig, as it is not the first time I’ve been to see a band that is fronted by an actor. My last experience of this was a couple of years ago, when I chanced upon The Peth playing at a club in Wigan. […]
– ACADEMY 1, MANCHESTER – Despite their name, there are only five people in Sonic Boom Six. The female-fronted Mancunians explode into action, the whole sound penetrating and aggressive like only girls from northern England can be. ‘Six’ become eight when the brass section from Big D And The Kids’ Table join them for a […]

LIVE: REEL BIG FISH/SONIC BOOM SIX – 22/01/2010

LIVE: ZICO CHAIN/TO THE BONES – 24/01/2010

– MOHO LIVE, MANCHESTER – Although I’ve already seen three bands (all of whom failed to introduce themselves), the most interesting part of the evening so far has been finding out that my girlfriend ties her shoelaces differently than I do. I’m hoping to be rescued by To The Bones, and they up the game […]
– ACADEMY 2, MANCHESTER – In a performance which draws mainly from new album, July Flame, Laura Veirs lulls listeners along on a barely lit journey through songs of the seasons. A glow of contentment surrounds Veirs which is particularly visible during I Can See Your Tracks, and there is something near spiritual about the […]

LIVE: LAURA VEIRS – 19/01/2010

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