ALBUM REVIEW – SHOVEL DANCE COLLECTIVE: EVERYTHING IN READINESS

‘Everything in Readiness’ genuinely sounds unlike anything else. Describing Shovel Dance Collective as an ensemble specialising in traditional music might have some truth but does them a disservice as it limits their considerable scope. While they do delve into the archives for ancient folk song, the methods they use to interpret those songs are contemporary, […]
“I want life without a doubt.” In 2023, Scottish-born band Teenage Fanclub unveiled their 13th studio album, “Nothing Lasts Forever”. It is a solid album, but the thing that stuck out to me about the record was, of all things, the title. Nothing lasts forever. A seemingly definite fact. Life is definite in only one […]

ALBUM REVIEW – TEENAGE FANCLUB: DO NOT DARE TO DREAM

LIVE REVIEW – BLOSSOMS: LIVERPOOL ACADEMY – 14/10/2026

After announcing their huge tour off the back of the release of their insatiably charming 6th album Song From The Wedding Cake, which includes nights at massive venues such as Co-op Live and the iconic Ally Pally, Blossoms suprisingly blessed us with some slightly more intimate album release shows across the country; and safe to […]
@           Autosmile         The band expands the scope of their vision, weaving prog, hyper, and a myriad of experimental influences into indelible harmonies, honouring a long line of freaked-out troubadours including Fairport Convention, Neutral Milk Hotel and Animal Collective. Arborist              Looking For Love           His inventive Americana places us firmly in his hometown of Belfast, allowing it […]

ALBUM ROUNDUP WEEK ENDING 16 OCTOBER 2026

ALBUM REVIEW – THE WOW! SCENARIO: STAND IN THE STAR – A VERSE AND A CHORUS

Comedy records or music by comedians are rarely a laughing matter. The singles charts of my childhood are littered with atrocities like Benny Hill’s Ernie (The Fast Milkman in the West). Even when a more respected funnyman such as Vic Reeves joined forces with an established group, The Wonder Stuff, the resulting cover of Dizzy […]
Beyond The Music is much more than simply a music festival, from the 6-9 October Media City welcomed key industry figures, artists, music executives and music lovers to talk about what the future of music looks like. The 2026 theme was ‘Art is a human right’ meaning the conferences mainly focused on supporting emerging artists, […]

FEATURE – BEYOND THE MUSIC REPORT

ALBUM REVIEW – ELLA THOMPSON: TRIUMPH AND SADNESS

When a voice can hit the highest of notes, it is transformative. Rather than being earthbound and inhibited, there is a sudden sense of release, a soaring sensation akin to being able to fly away from troubles. Ella Thompson is blessed with the sort of vocal range where she can effortlessly hit those upper notes […]
Genesis. The first thing that would come to most people’s minds when you say that is crazy onstage costumes, songs that span light years, and most importantly, 5 men that were in their 20s when they started but somehow manage to look 40 at the same time. Well, in 1969 when their debut album released, […]

ALBUM REVIEW – GENESIS: FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION

ALBUM REVIEW – FLORA HIBBERD: MAMMOTH

A big reason why music is the drug of choice for so many is the way it can simultaneously mix contradictory emotions. It makes for an intoxicating overload. Flora Hibberd’s new album, ‘Mammoth’, lives up to its name in sounding huge and offering a classic example of how elements that might usually be associated with […]
Over the past few months, The Sly have garnered a considerable following for a band with one song released. Combine that with the huge artwork on the Vinyl Revival shutters in town, and their stacked headline gig at the Deaf Institute becomes a must-see. What is this all about? A lineup brimming with upcoming talent: Poor Effort, Sugar Tax […]

LIVE REVIEW – THE SLY + SUGAR TAX: THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – 25/09/2026