LIVE: FRANK TURNER – 25/01/2019

-THE HAT WORKS, STOCKPORT- It’s Friday dinner time in Stockport and I’m stood in Hat Works, the UK’s only museum dedicated to the hatting industry. I have a can of diet coke in my hand and a massive grin on my face. I look around and there are about sixty other people here, mostly clutching […]
-GORILLA, MANCHESTER- For the first time ever when walking into Gorilla, I head straight upstairs to watch a gig with the risk of getting a elbow to the face in a mosh pit. Catching the majority of the opening band’s set, I wasn’t getting the feeling that I was ready to watch Uncle Acid and […]

LIVE: UNCLE ACID & THE DEADBEATS / BLOOD CEREMONY – 22/01/2019

LIVE: YOUNG FATHERS – 23/01/2019

-ALBERT HALL, MANCHESTER- When the Mercury Prize rolled around in 2014, few had anticipated Young Fathers to walk away with the £25k. However, their artful coalition of hip-hop, art-pop and whatever else they fancy have garnered them a sizeable following, enough to suitably pack the beautiful Manchester Albert Hall. The group’s live keyboardist Callum Easter […]
-DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER- Slothrust, pronounced sloth-rust (a fact that, embarrassingly, I only find out tonight, even with the band being four albums deep) arrive on stage to an eager crowd at Deaf Institute. Their name is not the only aspect that has eluded being pinned down correctly, their sound can also be hard to articulate […]

LIVE: SLOTHRUST – 23/01/2019

LIVE: WARM DRAG / FRUIT TONES / SLOWHANDCLAP / WOMAN YOU STOLE – 22/01/2019

-NIGHT PEOPLE, MANCHESTER- Woman You Stole Curiously we start with the strongest (my opinion, don’t axe me) of the support acts, a local 3 piece that is dominated by overpowering (Ship of the Line about to commence firing vibe) drums and a robust lead vocal (a soaring, Siouxsie Sioux-esque quality) that binds tastefully with a […]
-YES, MANCHESTER- It’s officially the coldest night of winter so far, there are ice rinks on the pavements and the big coats are out. I’m in a borrowed coat and gloves due to a personal admin error (thanks Sam), yet in the Pink Room at Yes (are all gigs in Manchester at Yes these days?!), […]

LIVE: ADRIANNE LENKER – 17/01/2019

LIVE: THE GOA EXPRESS / GARDENBACK / SAINTTS – 12/01/2019

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- Saintts: The evening opens with what sounds like a badly-maintained theme park ride (a selection of cymbals precariously strapped on in addition) acting as the beat, while its more subdued rhythm partner watches on in despair as the guitar repeatedly bashes their circuitry into increasingly questionable territory. And of course, the […]
-SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER- 2019 is upon us and it’s the first gig of the year for your reviewer, and there are genuinely not many better ways to kick off than with tonight’s line up. Opening we have Silver Vials, a psych-tinged electronic duo whose changing line up and set up keeps fans and novices guessing […]

LIVE: LORELLE MEETS THE OBSOLETE / SILVER VIALS – 10/01/2019

LIVE: MGMT – 17/12/2018

-ALBERT HALL, MANCHESTER- Back from late 2000s mega success, MGMT provide tonight the Albert Hall mandem a chance to relive honking hot summers of 08-09, FIFA soundtracks and Made In Chelsea “coming next” segments. Braving the Northern chill, I venture to Manchester full of excitement. Although back in the day I didn’t immediately latch on […]
-SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER- As far as well respected Scottish artists go, you can’t get more loved than Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert, so the news of the two collaborating together for an album brought joy to the ears of many. And as it happens, the album did the same thing. Released through Rock Action Records […]

LIVE: AIDAN MOFFAT & RM HUBBERT – 14/12/2018