“Anger is an energy” sang Public Image Limited on ‘Rise’ back in 1986, and in 2026 that sentiment still reigns supreme for Notts duo Sleaford Mods. With impassioned poetic lyrics containing a wickedly observational but humorous twist, set against a backdrop of heavy melodic electro beats, since they emerged in 2007 they’ve been putting the […]
As soon as I saw that Twin Tribes were touring in the UK again, I knew that I had to be there. It’s not every day that your favourite band is playing within an hour’s reach. I had my wallet ready as tickets were released, prepared to drain my bank account if it came to it, but […]
“WESTSIDEEE COWBOYYY” someone in the crowd shouts mimicking the opening to the group’s debut track as they begin picking up their instruments. Dramatically facing backwards as they begin, Westside Cowboy open with a polished cover of ‘Midnight Cowboy’ by Santo & Jonny that feels like a slow build up or even a tease before they […]
Metal has a great deal in common with pop – I’d say it’s the flipside of the same coin: the anti-pop. Where pop is meant to appeal, metal intentionally repels. Metal is discordant by design where pop seeks out the […]
As crowd surfers pop up left right and centre in my eyeline, heads bounce around and the floor rattles in synchronisation… I realise that Superheaven have maybe revived an overall abysmal day. The power of music, eh? Despite preferring their earlier stuff to their most recent album, Superheaven have still taken up a humongous amount […]
I’ve been a fan of NYC trio Sunflower Bean for a while now – since the release of their third album, ‘Headful of Sugar,’ in 2022, to be precise – but it’s their most recent material that has kept my eyes (and ears) fixed upon them. For one, there was last year’s ‘Shake’ EP, a […]
When Erykah Badu announced she was touring her ‘Mama’s Gun’ album, it was challenging to have any sort of self-control. After an unfortunate experience of her dropping out of the ‘X The tracks’ festival with no explanation, I was particularly thrilled about seeing her. I’ve only been to a select few venues in Manchester, and […]
“This one is for Keir Starmer” Larry Love states as the band launch into ‘Mansion on the Hill’. A song calling out the corrupt elites and the frontman of Alabama 3 has just directed it at the Prime Minister, clad in a silver suit and shades. Entertaining doesn’t begin to cover it. At the start […]
As Ellie Rowsell takes centre stage, megaphone in hand, my view is once again blocked by a man scurrying to the bar – a confused mind who thinks beer is more important than listening to one of the most alluring front-women of the 21st Century. I’m not ashamed to admit that hearing “Yuk Foo” live […]
There’s something almost poetic about seeing The Last Dinner Party inside Aviva Studios, the cavernous, concrete warehouse that Factory International has turned into a kind of blank canvas for big, theatrical ideas. Tonight, the space feels less like an industrial arts hub and more like a forgotten churchyard: mossy rocks scattered across the stage, rusted-looking railings, fabric and ropes hanging […]
GIG GUIDE
Our gig guide is handpicked and every act has been listened to before making it onto the list.
See this month's guide
ALBUM REVIEW - MARGARET GLASPY: I AM BOTH
ALBUM REVIEW - ARIANA GRANDE: PETAL
ALBUM REVIEW - DEEP PURPLE: SPLAT!
GIG GUIDE - AUGUST 2026
ALBUM REVIEW - LUCIA & THE BEST BOYS: PICKING PETALS
ALBUM ROUND WEEK ENDING 31 JULY 2026
ALBUM REVIEW - MAYA ONGAKU: NOTHING SPACE MUSIC
ALBUM REVIEW - DURUTTI COLUMN: RENASCENT
ALBUM REVIEW - LOATHE: A STRANGER TO YOU
ALBUM ROUNDUP WEEK ENDING 24 JULY 2026
