Single Review: The Lilac Time – No Sad Songs

An early member of Duran Duran, Stephen Duffy followed brief pop stardom in the mid-1980s with a sequence of pretty yet unheralded records. The 2009 rockumentary Memory & Desire suggested that Duffy was troubled by disappointment and dejection, so his return now is something of a relief. Re-adopting the Lilac Time name under which he […]
– BAND ON THE WALL, MANCHESTER –  Since fate conspired against me last year and made me miss Bolton’s Cherry Ghost playing a couple of Christmas-time concerts at Hallé St. Peter’s, I’m grateful for the opportunity to make up for it tonight at Band on the Wall. Billed as a ‘festive special’, hopefully a seasonal […]

LIVE: CHERRY GHOST – 21/12/2014

LIVE: BROWN BROGUES / ABJECTS / DIRTY HEELS – 20/12/2014

– THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER – The traditional start to Christmas for many Mancunians these days is the first trip to the Christmas markets, sampling undercooked sausages and over-priced Gluewein.  But for the more discerning reveler the real spirit of Christmas is to be found at The Castle Hotel, where the Brown Brogues’ annual “Bro  […]
‘Underbart’, in Swedish, means something akin to enchanting, wondrous. It’s a word which would aptly describe any number of Little Dragon’s releases to date – their latest release (‘Underbart’ for those who hadn’t guessed) perhaps not. It’s slinking, sensual, and bass heavy, indicative of a slight shift in direction on latest album Nabuma Rubberband. Compared […]

Single Review: Little Dragon – Underbart

LIVE: KASABIAN – MANCHESTER ARENA, 12/12/2014

I’m starting to run out of superlatives to describe Kasabian as a live band. To many they are the best British live band around after conquering the Sunday headlining slot at this year’s Glastonbury festival. The group are sometimes criticised for their qualities on record but as a live act they really do come into […]
Close your eyes, and it could be 1983. It is exactly the kind of nostalgia that Mark E Smith hates, so I did not expect to be joined by him at the Ruby Lounge for the debut performance of Brix and the Extricated. And I wasn’t, despite my dreams of the former husband and wife […]

LIVE: BRIX & THE EXTRICATED – THE RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER 13/12/2014

LIVE: THE XCERTS / KAGOULE – SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER 12/12/2014

It feels nice to be stood in Soup Kitchen this evening, a pint in hand, knowing I have the weekend ahead and not much else on the agenda apart from watching bands and drinking beer. Sadly, Soup Kitchen seems a little on the quiet side as I eagerly await tonight’s support, Nottingham outfit Kagoule. It’s […]
I’m heading down Oxford Road and feeling festive. Students abound in Christmas jumpers, work do’s are spilling out of Kro and Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott are playing a charity* gig at Academy 2. Not even Scrooge himself could turn down a mince pie. The Beautiful South duo reunited this year for the underrated ‘What […]

LIVE: PAUL HEATON & JACQUI ABBOTT – ACADEMY 2, MANCHESTER 12/12/2014

LIVE: REN HARVIEU – THE RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER 11/12/2014

I’m trying to place that voice. It’s smooth and buttery, and you can’t help but notice the audience swoon a little as Ren Harvieu gets on stage. It’s other era-esque, with Forever in Blue playing, the stage would be better off framed with heavy velvet drapes. There’s even the merest hint of Alison Goldfrapp here. […]
– SOUND CONTROL, MANCHESTER – Potential is a dangerous word for new bands. It’s nice to have the label but it’s how you react to it that counts. Coasts are certainly riding the crest of the hype wave (obvious pun, sorry) at the moment. I was originally all set to review their performance at Sound […]

LIVE: COASTS – 07/12/2014