Running through the streets of Manchester isn’t an ideal way to get to a gig but nothing about today has been normal compared to my day-to-day life, starting my day sat listening to panels and like-minded people talk about issues the music industry faces. As I reach Off the Square I’m early, really early. Standing […]
When I first saw the tour poster for Wunderhorse all over the UK some part of me melted a little inside, in my time going to music gigs, I haven’t seen a band burst out of nowhere and leave such an impression on people as them. Ever since their debut album Cub in 2022, there […]
The elegant, frayed decay of the Albert Hall gives it its charm, its chunky charisma. It is arguably our finest live venue, the balcony like a hug, the room something of an architectural cuddle. And if it’s not homely enough, tonight there are rugs on the stage, and lamps dotted about as well, so that […]
The Brian Wilson vocals announce the Twigs are about to twig their way onto the stage, and take the Academy 2 on a strange hour and a half of time-travelling, genre-bending, jangly retro Americana. Plus some Merseybeat. It’s 60s… at times it’s 70s… it’s a little discombobulating, which would be a problem were it not […]
It’s the hottest night of the year so far, and as the evening sunlight shines through the beautiful ornate windows of the Albert Hall, the place is packed. It’s been over thirty-three years since The Breeders burst on to the early 90’s indie scene with the astonishing debut album ‘Pod’, and with the 30th anniversary […]
First of all, do not get the mango infused or house beer if you ever go to night & day as they’re really not nice. The mango has redeeming qualities like it smells nice and the initial taste is alright, but the house beer tastes like piss. Walking into night & day is like getting […]
‘Manchester tonight’s been the best night of our fucking lives. We should do it again sometime,’ declares Boyle as the crowd applauds in approval. The voluminous venue that is Victoria Warehouse, with a capacity of 3,500, was swiftly stamped as ‘sold out’. Being the biggest venue they have performed to date, the band has been […]
Two friends embrace in the foyer of the Aviva Unilever Proctor & Gamble Tony Wilson Factory Arena Studios International (I think that’s it’s full name?) after this most magical of Adrianne Lenker performances: “What are you doing here?!” “Crying!” Two partners next to me watch on in hushed rapture, intertwined in each other’s embrace, heads […]
Isn’t it brilliant when something connects seamlessly, when something locks in perfectly? For jigsaw nerds it might be that final piece snapping into place to reveal the whole; it might be something as simple as the feel of a key turning to open a lock; it could be something more complex, like the final bit […]
Standing in the midst of a packed New Century Hall crowd, this feels like a big Saturday night out, a party to celebrate the return of a much loved band, and although they’ve only been away a few years, a rebirth of Zutons psych infused pop is well overdue. Having released the first new material […]
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 ROUNDUP WEEK ENDING 20 MARCH 2026
ALBUM REVIEW: KIM GORDON - PLAY ME
ALBUM REVIEW - LUXJURY: GIVING UP
LIVE REVIEW - KEO: MANCHESTER RITZ - 07/03/2026
ALBUM REVIEW - NUBIYAN TWIST: CHASING SHADOWS
ALBUM REVIEW - GYDA VALTYSDOTTIR: MOTHER PEARL
ALBUM REVIEW - THE SCRATCH: PULL LIKE A DOG
ALBUM ROUNDUP WEEK ENDING 13 MARCH 2026
ALBUM REVIEW - FOTOCRIME: SECURITY
ALBUM REVIEW - TENDERNESS: TRUE
