LIVE: UGLY DUCKLING – 30/04/2015

– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER –  I love hip-hop shows. I wouldn’t say I go to many, and I don’t have much of a grasp on the current hip-hop scene (how old do I sound?), but whenever an old school hip-hop group is in town, I’ll try to make it to the show. One of […]
– THE RITZ, MANCHESTER – The Ritz is decked out in spangled art deco. But in front, from a pulpit, dangles a rag. SF is picked out in gaffa taped juxtaposition. It’s the moniker of opening act Smoke Fairies; a five piece who richly deserve their mention. Two frontwomen harmonise in tones smooth enough to […]

LIVE: PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING – 29/04/2015

LIVE: LAURA MARLING – 24/04/2015

– THE ALBERT HALL, MANCHESTER – Friday night is just beginning in Manchester as I approach the Albert Hall. I pass restaurants that are packed and bars filled to the brim on a pleasantly warm evening. I’m anticipating a similar atmosphere for Laura Marling’s sold out show. I ascend the stairs to the main room; […]
– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – Following an accident resulting in a broken back in 2011 that hindered the full-pelt launch of her career, it seems Ren Harvieu is firmly back on the musical radar and gigging circuit. It’s easy to forget, with her low-key presence and the absence of a second album in recent […]

LIVE: REN HARVIEU – 25/04/2015

LIVE: DEAD RABBITS – 25/04/2015

– GULLIVERS, MANCHESTER – Psych purists may tell you that, if your guitarist adjusts the sound effect on his guitar slightly, you should probably consider changing your entire wardrobe and playing somewhere else. We’ll have none of that around here. Tonight’s 3 bands predominantly specialise in shoegaze and garage, with a multitude of influences in between, and they’ll be playing while bathed in […]
– BAND ON THE WALL, MANCHESTER – Band on The Wall has filled up nicely in the last few minutes as the anticipation for the first showing of Stealing Sheep’s well-received new album Not Real grows. Ironically, the Liverpool band open tonight’s set with what was potentially the most popular song off their debut album, […]

LIVE: STEALING SHEEP – 24/04/2015

LIVE: DAN MANGAN + BLACKSMITH – 24/04/2015

– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – … so as it transpires, this gig will be one that lives long in the memory for anyone who was lucky enough the see all of it. Dan Mangan’s profile in native Canada is somewhat higher than over here, claiming numerous songwriting and album awards throughout his 6 year […]
– THE ROADHOUSE, MANCHESTER – This is a common Tuesday night. But this is also that kind of night in which you can have just a couple of beers so as to get away from the everyday paraphernalia or experience an inspirational eye-opener and realise that you should really follow your dreams. Let’s bet for […]

LIVE: SCREAMING FEMALES – 21/04/2015

LIVE: RYLEY WALKER – 19/04/2015

– GULLIVERS, MANCHESTER – Ryley Walker sits alone, the added instruments on his new album Primrose Green seemingly not in attendance. His guitar case is flung wide like an open top coffin reminding us that he is not here to stay, that this is just one whistle stop on a very long tour. It’s a […]
– SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER – I arrive to a bustling crowd outside the Soup Kitchen in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Very busy, I think, for a Thursday night. It turns out that a local artist is exhibiting his work in the big windows of the bar (all of which are giant replications of album covers from […]

LIVE: SLUG – 16/04/2015