LIVE: OMAR SOULEYMAN – 09/12/2011

– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – The UK has been treated this year to tours from the full roster of artists on the Sublime Frequencies label. Locally, Group Doueh visited Islington Mill back in May, last week Group Inerane stopped off in Leeds as part of their first European tour, and tonight Omar Souleyman is […]
The chameleon of the jungle, Ital Tek, changes colour once again as he turns his hand to carving his own EP of footwork-influenced beats. Ladies and Gentlemen, we give you Gonga. Title track ‘Gonga’ opens the EP. Those shattered footwork-style drums set the pace, rising and falling from one to the next, and create a […]

EP Review: Ital Tek – Gonga

LIVE: HEY SHOLAY – 02/12/2011

– THE RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER – Yorkshire based 5 piece Hey Sholay have had a pretty good year, gaining air play on Radio 1 and winning NME’s competition to play Exit Festival in Serbia. I head along to the Ruby Lounge hopeful of a night of fun energetic performances headlined by the band I’ve heard […]
There are two records on offer in this special-edition double 7” vinyl set; one each from the sister labels Fruits de Mer and Regal Crabomophone. It’s nice to see young people producing real physical things; it’s how the government wants the population to dig them out of our current economic hole. It’s refreshing too, that […]

Fruits de Mer/Regal Crabomophone – Annual 2012 (free download)

LIVE: THE ORDINARY BOYS – 02/12/2011

– CLUB ACADEMY, MANCHESTER – After years of an ill-fated romance with the media, it’s a day that many fans thought they’d never see. But without any fuss or ado, the Ordinary Boys are in Manchester tonight, with a nostalgic show tailored to the fans that supported them all the way. Once inside Club Academy […]
– THE SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER – Rumour has it, this is I Break Horses second (or maybe third) gig. Ever. It’s certainly their first gig in the UK. The debut album ‘Hearts’ gained many a rave review after it’s summer release. The Swedish pairing of Maria Lindén and Fredrik Balck have recruited 3 others to take their […]

LIVE: I BREAK HORSES – 03/12/2011

LIVE: PANDA BEAR – 02/12/2011

– METHODIST CENTRAL HALL, MANCHESTER – Right, where do I begin? Just another Friday-night planned to be spent indoors out of solidarity with the ‘big society’ (…) when I get a call whether I fancy joining a friend to see Panda Bear at Central Methodist Hall. “Panda Bear, Panda Bear… name rings a bell but.. […]
– ST.PHILIPS CHURCH, SALFORD – Having been a fan since his first album, the Mercury Prize nominated ‘The End of History’, it’s not until his third album tour that I finally get a chance to catch Fionn Regan in person. This is the second stop for the Irishman, who is playing six dates in just […]

LIVE: FIONN REGAN – 01/12/2011

EP Review: Keep Shelly In Athens – Campus Martius

In keeping with its string of synth-pop releases throughout 2011, Planet Mu presents Keep Shelly In Athens. Unfortunately, there isn’t much information I can give you about the duo. My research produced few answers, but I can confirm that there are two of them, the singer, Sarah, is a very pretty lady and together they […]
– THE RITZ, MANCHESTER – First thing’s thirst.  How much? Four-twenty for a bleedin’ pint?  The Ritz has come a long way (it thinks) from its sticky floors and pound-a-pint student days.  Now that HMV has got its grubby paws on the place. Perhaps the stricken, shrinking giant is making its last desperate grasp for […]

LIVE: THURSTON MOORE – 30/11/2011