ALBUM: LAURA GIBSON – EMPIRE BUILDER

Laura Gibson’s ”Empire Builder” serves as a memento of an individual in transformation. Showcasing themes around loss, loneliness and womanhood, this singer-songwriter’s second album relays the story of Gibson’s rebuilding of her own life after an explosion which destroyed her home and work. Blending traditional genres such as folk and country with indie influences creates […]
I remember watching Franz Ferdinand on the Jonathan Ross Show about seven years ago. I quite liked them, but I remember my Sister saying “Hum….they’re quite neat aren’t they?” not exactly a massive insult but still, a band being ‘neat’ seems somehow, a little, boring? Why am I saying this? Well, in some respects neat […]

ALBUM: TELEMAN – BRILLIANT SANITY

LIVE: NAI HARVEST – 29/03/2016

 – THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – There’s a young crowd here bright and early for WEDDING, but their overly enthusiastic dancing seems chemical fuelled, almost sarcastic. It’s not a great start. The band are definitely fans of the Ronettes, but even if ‘Be My Baby’ is the best song ever written, it’s OK to write […]
– GORILLA, MANCHESTER – Pinning Submotion Orchestra down to one sound is near impossible. The Leeds seven-piece cross over the worlds of dub, jazz, ambient, soul, and I’m sure many more, with ease somehow avoiding the perils of over-complication. They were originally pioneers of the dubstep sound, forming only to play a huge live dubstep […]

LIVE: SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA – 24/03/2016

LIVE: JEFF WOOTTON – 23/03/2016

– NIGHT & DAY CAFÉ, MANCHESTER – Tonight at Night and Day Café is introduced to us by Nev Cottee, he is calming and soothing with notes that are reminiscent of being at the beach, relaxing with the lapping of the ocean. Though between his deep voice and his music, it seems apt to query […]
If you’re looking for something new and exciting in the electronic music world, this album won’t set off any underlying alarms of uniqueness. However, if you’re fans of New Order, Depeche Mode and other influential acts of the 80s, then this may just tickle your pickle. Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, Lust for Youth provide an […]

ALBUM: LUST FOR YOUTH ‘COMPASSION’

LIVE: DIIV – 20/03/2016

– GORILLA, MANCHESTER – “What the fuck’s going on?” asks a frustrated Zachary Cole Smith of a group of young, confused technicians as they continue to struggle to conquer the age-old technology of the DVD projector – supposed portal to the imagination of the Brooklyn darling and 21st century poster boy for rock-’n-roll tragedy. Following […]
 – THE RITZ, MANCHESTER – In a time when not all was glitz and not all was glamour, 1977 gave birth to a little punk band from Belfast called Stiff Little Fingers. Known for their highly political views and raucous attitudes, their music brought unity to those who never belonged and gave a voice to […]

LIVE: STIFF LITTLE FINGERS – 19/03/2016

LIVE: THE FRANKLYS – 20/03/2016

 – THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER – “Thank you so much for being here” shouts singer Jen Ahlkvist, almost out of breath, one song in, blonde fringe already thick with sweat. The modest audience bunch together to intensify the heat in the room. Perhaps they’re holding on for their lives, because there is something so visceral […]
 – BAND ON THE WALL, MANCHESTER –  “Sometimes I pretend to be normal but it gets boring so I go back to being me”. The statement sums up the legendary Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s vital philosophy. He’ll be 80 years old the day after tomorrow, but as he has never stopped having fun, he’s not old […]

LIVE: LEE ‘SCRATCH’ PERRY – 15/03/2016