ALBUM REVIEW – HAPPY MONDAYS: THE FACTORY SINGLES

When you think of Happy Mondays, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Shaun Ryder’s Outrages swagger? Bez throwing shapes? Lots and lots of ecstasy? All of the above are appropriate responses to hearing the name of one of the funkiest, bounciest and hippest bands in late 80s Manchester. And the man who found […]
In just ten minutes, Dress & Tie have managed to capture everything that love is. In its more dramatic moments, it’s the backstreets of Paris, amoristic accordions pulled together by a crescent moon. In domesticity, it’s home video tapes, subtle ukuleles that reveal in their haze how lucky we are to know and be known […]

EP REVIEW – DRESS & TIE: LOVE SUNG BY… DRESS & TIE

ALBUM REVIEW – PAVEMENT: HECKLER’S CHOICE

Usually, I call people pretentious when they say that they were born in the wrong generation, however I make an exception when it comes to that being how I feel about the band Pavement. I should’ve been at a Pavement gig in the 90s, luckily they have just released a new compilation album titled Heckler’s […]
Sister Ray Davies         Holy Island       The duo might be based in “the hit recording capital of the world”, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, but they have made a concept album about the ancient religious outpost off the coast of northeast England which mixes fuzzy guitars with folk horror. They also are clear winners of Name of the […]

ALBUM ROUNDUP WEEK ENDING 14 NOVEMBER 2025

ALBUM REVIEW – NUSANTARA BEAT: NUSANTARA BEAT

While group names can often be random, Nusantara Beat has chosen one that encapsulates its ethos. Nusantara means all the islands that make up Indonesia and dates back to when kings wanted to unite the whole archipelago. Today, it means unity, many cultures coming together as one. Accordingly, Nusantara Beat mix the rhythms and music […]
A Post punk revival is in full swing and hits the coasts of Portsmouth with a new release by Hotel Lux.  Previously attacking with a garage rock sound (which was championed by the likes of NME, Clash and So Young) before a lineup change meant a new lease on direction as the band stated, ‘We […]

ALBUM REVIEW – HOTEL LUX: THE BITTER CUP

LIVE REVIEW – JANE REMOVER: MANCHESTER RITZ – 10/11/2025

When tickets for Jane Remover’s show went on sale a few months ago – the designated venue given as Band on the Wall – I jumped at the opportunity. This is, after all, one of the most exciting musicians currently in the business – I couldn’t not go and see them. Within a few minutes, […]
To anyone unfamiliar with London’s Windmill scene, The Orchestra (For Now) offers the perfect introduction. Named after The Windmill pub in Brixton, the scene offers a brand of art rock characterised by jagged urgency, regular stylistic spasms, and lyrics that read more like raw poetry than conventional songs. Black Country, New Road rode the sound […]

EP REVIEW – THE ORCHESTRA (FOR NOW): PLAN 76

LIVE REVIEW – SLATER + SUNNBRELLA: SOUP – 08/11/2025

Despite having released music for over a decade, as well as being a long-time collaborator of Wyatt and Fletcher Shears (of The Garden, Enjoy and Puzzle), Slater is still quite underrated. Those who have happened to check out his colourful and confident discography, though, have discovered in him an artist brimming with charm and flare. […]
Even though it is not yet Christmas, it is already time to start thinking about next year’s Manchester Psych Fest which will take place on 5 September 2026. The first tranche of acts has been announced and will feature a headline set from the legendary Beta Band together with Northern heroes Working Men’s Club, the […]

NEWS – FIRST BANDS ANNOUNCED FOR MANCHESTER PSYCH FEST 2026