– THE RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER – Brooklyn act Gang Gang Dance seem an obvious choice to play Manchester’s annual FutureEverything festival. The Festival is a celebration of digital culture, with a strong emphasis on innovation and breaking new ground. Over the course of five studio albums Gang Gang Dance have displayed a willingness to experiment, […]
– ISLINGTON MILL, SALFORD – There is activity across the city/cities tonight owing to this year’s Future Everything Festival which is running throughout the week. In fact, I could’ve been somewhere else tonight as Gang Gang Dance are over at the Ruby Lounge (also reviewed on the site). But there are very few things which […]
– ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC, MANCHESTER – It is worth remembering that before Hugh Laurie was the debonair Dr. House, glibly diagnosing obscure ailments and generally maintaining a detached air of alluring misanthropy, he was one half of Jeeves and Wooster. And before that, A Bit of Fry and Laurie. And of course, Blackadder. […]
Over the past few years, a few of the most talked-about indie bands have been those making music with a historical sense of mystical drama. Fiery Furnaces, Yeasayer, Grizzly Bear, and Animal Collective, among others, have been variously and inventively appropriating rock ‘n’ roll’s roots in ritualistic sounds. By and large, they draw upon ideas […]
– CENTRAL METHODIST CHURCH, MANCHESTER – The queue for Manchester’s Central Methodist Church stretches all the way down Oldham Street to Piccadilly Gardens, and consists of people of all ages and backgrounds, all braving the sporadic sudden downpours in anticipation of spending an evening in the company of one of the most widely revered and […]
– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – I wasn’t too sure what to expect this evening at the Deaf Institute. I get the impression that the point of Psychedelic Horseshit’s lo-fi pop, or ‘shitgaze’ as the band has pleasantly christened it, is that the music is more important than the presentation. Recording most of their records […]
– THE LOWRY THEATRE, SALFORD – So there I am at The Lowry Theatre in an all seated auditorium wondering how good a gig can be in such plush settings. A grand, cinematic sound sweeps in and Kloot enter to an appreciative, albeit theatre crowd, welcome. There’s the three maestros themselves plus backing musicians: guitar, […]
– THE NIGHT & DAY CAFE, MANCHESTER – Sombre and introspective, Man Made cuts a lonely figure on the Night & Day’s stage. The nameless troubadour radiates his glumness through the venue like a black hole gobbles light, chopping away at his guitar from the elbow and mercilessly zapping any remnants of joy from the […]
– THE RITZ BALLROOM, MANCHESTER – I like Noah and The Whale but during this virtuoso display at Manchester’s Ritz, I decide I don’t like their crowd. The five piece don’t set a foot wrong all night: every harmony, hook and holler is flawless. But they’ve attracted seemingly serious types who aren’t interested in letting […]
It’s been a long time coming, but Ratmataz Lorry Excitement (AKA Kev Dosdale) is back from his hiatus. Thankfully it has not been too long that he has had to re-invent himself, like many will attempt and fail. The first component of the double A-side ‘A Year Short On Surprises’ immediately kicks off with some […]
GIG GUIDE
Our gig guide is handpicked and every act has been listened to before making it onto the list.
See this month's guide
ALBUM REVIEW – PROLAPSE: I WONDER WHEN THEY’RE GOING TO DESTROY YOUR FACE
INTERVIEW: MANCHESTER PSYCHFEST RETURNS - WE CATCH UP WITH PROMOTERS NOW WAVE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR'S EVENT
INTERVIEW - NERVES
ALBUM REVIEW - MARISSA NADLER: NEW RADIATIONS
ALBUM REVIEW - NO JOY: BUGLAND
ALBUM REVIEW - MGK: LOST AMERICANA
ALBUM REVIEW - THE THING: THE THING
ALBUM REVIEW - THE ROYSTON CLUB: SONGS FOR THE SPINE
ALBUM REVIEW - TEETHE: MAGIC OF THE SALE
INTERVIEW: PEA SEA - NEW ALBUM 'A PYKE OF PATINA SLATE' FEATURES COLLABORATIONS WITH PETER BREWIS (FIELD MUSIC) AND TOM ENGLISH (MAXIMO PARK)
