LIVE: THEN THICKENS – 29/10/2015

– NIGHT & DAY CAFE, MANCHESTER – I arrive at Night and Day Cafe this evening wearing a unnecessarily big coat and I’ve somehow managed to scratch my forehead, so I’ve got a big red mark right between my eyes. It is safe to say I am feeling uncomfortable and I all I want is […]
When the formation of EL VY was announced, I was particularly excited. A duo combining the giddy electronica of Menomena with the refined introspection of the national, seemed like something only dreams could be made of. When the lead single and the album’s opening track ‘Return to the moon’ hit the blogosphere, it was anything […]

Album Review: EL VY – Return to the Moon

LIVE: BO NINGEN / THE PIQNIC- 28/10/2015

– ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD – After seeing London based Japanese ‘acid punk’ 4-piece Bo Ningen at The Ruby Lounge almost exactly 4 years ago, I left the venue in some kind of state of shock. The words that I wrote about the event (review) could not convey with enough fervency just how great I thought the gig was, and […]
 – GORILLA, MANCHESTER – HEALTH like to take their time. Their third studio album Death Magic was released this summer a full 6 years after their sophomore effort hit the shelves. Granted, in between then they released a remix album of their second LP and a full soundtrack to the computer game Max Payne, but […]

LIVE: HEALTH – 27/10/2015

LIVE: LOWER DENS – 25/10/2015

– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – A blue mist stands in the air as Lower Dens make for the stage. Tonight, they’re cut down to just a three piece, as their electric guitarist had to remain at home due to a family illness. Such things could stop a number of bands in their tracks; not […]
 – RNCM, MANCHESTER – For those of you who know Tiger Lillies, they need no introduction. For those who don’t, well – how long have you got? For starters, there’s the painted faces, the vintage costumes and the unusual instruments (tonight including accordion, theramin, Jew’s harp and musical saw). Then there’s the falsetto singing, which, […]

LIVE: THE TIGER LILLIES – 27/10/2015

LIVE: FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES – 26/10/2015

– THE STAR & GARTER, MANCHESTER – Frank Carter’s career has been quite the roller coaster. Frank first came to a lot of people’s attention just over a decade ago as front man of Gallows. Gallows were the most ferocious hardcore bands of the time with Frank being one of the most tenacious and exciting […]
– FALLOW CAFE, MANCHESTER – Tonight appears to be my lucky night, because 4 great bands are playing around the corner from my flat, for free. Family Tree have put this together, along with Bleached DJ’s, who are to feature regularly at this venue. I wander into the converted terraced house unopposed, a little later than advertised […]

LIVE: THE BLACK TAMBOURINES / TVAM / PEACE AND LOVE BARBERSHOP / THE RED CORDS – 24/10/2015

LIVE: SUNDARA KARMA – 24/10/2015

– SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER – After weeks of telling people to check out Sundara Karma for them to look at me blankly and ask if that’s some sort of thai restaurant, it’s nice to see that the Berkshire-based indie rockers are finally in the spotlight. Supporting the likes of Circa Waves and the Wombats has […]
– SOUND CONTROL, MANCHESTER – Wouldn’t it be just nice to burst in your boss/tutor/whoever-who-call-the shots’ office and shout out: “Blues explosion!”? And then, just to clarify your position in front of a very much likely puzzled face: “Uh!” “Ah!” “Oh, yeah!” “C’mon!” “Let’s GO!” Yeahh… I picture the deliciously funny scene while I let […]

LIVE: THE JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION – 22/10/2015