LIVE: HALFLING’S LEAF / TRIBAL FIGHTERS – 31/07/2014

– THE BAYHORSE, MANCHESTER – Hollowed out beneath Thomas Street, from the basement of The Bay Horse comes a tremendous noise. It’s populated by long hair, leather jackets and tattoos, kick drums, wails and distorted guitar. Halfling’s Leaf, after three years are playing their final, farewell gig and it is in fact the first time […]
– THE RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER – In the parallel universe in which Guitar Wolf reside, time has not stood still, but in fact, permanently loops round between 1958 and 1978.  The mothership jettisoned Guitarwolf Seiji, Basswolf UG and Drumwolf Toru in sealed crystal caskets to preserve the purity of rocknroll from the Planet of the […]

LIVE: GUITAR WOLF – 31/07/2014

LIVE: POLEDO/BETA BLOCKER & THE BODY CLOCK/HOOTEN TENNIS CLUB/DREAM HOUSE – 25/07/2014

– FUEL CAFÉ, MANCHESTER – It’s a baking night in South Manchester, even as the band sound check, and set-up for a night curated by Cheesus Crust Records, DIY “label and gig putter on thing that will never be as memorable as Neck Deep”.  They’re running 45 minutes late and a crowd of thirteen people […]
A hypnotic bass line introduces you to the slightly surreal adventure that is ‘To Be Kind’; Swans’ newest addition to their large collection of music. In what will feel like a two hour long hallucinogenic trip to the unseasoned Swans listener, this album may pass many people by as nothing more than a noisy din. […]

ALBUM REVIEW: SWANS – TO BE KIND

LIVE: THE AFGHAN WHIGS – 17/07/2014

– MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL, MANCHESTER – I arrive at Manchester Cathedral tonight very much in the dark about Afghan Whigs.  I’m aware of their music only from older friends’ enthusiastic recommendations, who champion them as soul and blues infected hangers-on of the sub-pop generation, related to – but not of – the grunge movement,  and as […]
– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – This evening seems somewhat of an exciting evening to be an Owen Pallett fan as he’s playing the first date of a long over due UK tour and today he just been shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, which is Canada’s equivalent of the Mercury. The Ontario based songwriter/ […]

LIVE: OWEN PALLETT – 15/07/2014

LIVE: SLOW CLUB – 12/07/2014

– GORILLA, MANCHESTER – Slow Club are one of those bands that slowly (pardon the pun) but surely generate a loyal fan base throughout their music career. The multi-instrumentalist duo, Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor originate from Sheffield and have been around since 2006 with three albums under their belt. In fact, their latest offering, […]
The Vacant Lots came to the attention of the shoegazing ‘select’ when they were featured on Sonic Cathedrals ‘Psych for Sore Eyes’ compilation. The track in question ‘6am’ is included on their debut album Departure released again on those bastions of fine taste Sonic Cathedral. The duo from Burlington, Vermont, have already won over some influential fans […]

ALBUM REVIEW: THE VACANT LOTS – DEPARTURE

LIVE: CHERRY GHOST – 25/06/2014

– MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL, MANCHESTER – I love Cathedrals. I love their vastness and echoing potential for magnitude and sound. A reverence for something higher and benevolent. You’ve got to hand it our our own Manchester Cathedral for their welcome of the secular. This 1421 building appears regularly on our list of gigs to enjoy. A […]
– THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER – For the second time in four days I’m at the Castle for some live music. Tonight’s lineup features Happyness with support from Manchester’s Butcher The Bar. Taking advantage of a warm evening, much of the crowd crammed into the outside area at the back of the venue awaiting the […]

LIVE: HAPPYNESS – 20/06/2014