LIVE: DESPERATE JOURNALIST – 15/03/2019

-DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER- The Empty Page A late start (I hear an act pulled out?) affords me enough time to eat a quantity of waffles (potato) before venturing into the vaguely kitsch dwelling we all know as the Deaf Institute. Up first comes a 3-piece heavily rooted in 1990s ‘alternative’ rock, though sadly it doesn’t […]
-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- Supporting act Cupids Arrow deliver quite an eclectic mix for a cello duo. From the upbeat heights of the Tetris theme tune to haunting ravines of Hungarian folk. They are strong and interesting to watch. The set finishes with a great cover of Elbow’s ‘Grounds For Divorce’, one they say they […]

LIVE: RUTH THEODORE – 16/03/2019

LIVE: THE BLACK DELTA MOVEMENT – 15/03/2019

-NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, MANCHESTER- I first met Matt Burr, the lead singer of The Black Delta Movement, nine years ago, just before he started the band. His original group, The 303’s, I had played with back in Hull, and from that day I always got a good vibe from Matt; he was always happy […]
all photos courtesy of Ric Harris (aka @landwomble) -ACADEMY, MANCHESTER- What can we say about Sleaford Mods that hasn’t been said already? I think we’re all on the same page really. There’s no one quite like them and we bloody love them for it. The tenacious twosome from Nottingham haven’t really stopped since their formation […]

LIVE: SLEAFORD MODS – 15/03/2019

LIVE: IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE / AADAE – 15/03/2019

-YES, MANCHESTER- London’s own afro-funk party known as Ibibio Sound Machine have gained a passionate following from all walks of life, young and old. A likely reasoning is the way they sew West-African dance and funk music with the hyper-animated electro-punk heard over at labels like DFA Records. Tonight, they play at Yes in Manchester […]
-YES, MANCHESTER- Self Esteem is the new solo project of former Slow Club member Rebecca Taylor, a band which I know very little about so that’s all the info you’re getting about them from me. Having never been a fan of said band, I came to Self Esteem on the back of hearing the wonderful […]

LIVE: SELF ESTEEM – 14/03/2019

LIVE: WOMAN’S HOUR – 14/03/2019

-GULLIVERS, MANCHESTER- Formed in 2011 and named after the news and culture show on BBC Radio 4, Woman’s Hour is made up of siblings Fiona and William Burgess and synth player Josh Hunnisett. Their 2014 debut album Conversations was received well by critics, receiving strong reviews across the board, but since that debut release, there […]
-ACADEMY 3, MANCHESTER- Holding a crowd’s attention when you’re in a band, have some instruments, or massive screens and choreography behind you in an arena is hard enough (i.e Drake’s ridiculous ‘whole stage as an HD screen’ set up), but holding a crowd’s attention with nothing but yourself and a DJ in the background building […]

LIVE: SABA – 13/03/2019

LIVE: TINFOILS / CHUPA CABRA / PAGANS S.O.H. / BLANKETMAN – 07/03/2019

-THE PEER HAT, MANCHESTER- Blanketman Entering the all too familiar Peer Hat basement, I learn this evening has something memorable and exclusive for all spectators present; acting on instinct, I forsake my typical rule of live reviews (to the detriment of my cellular battery). Taking the front compartment in this limited edition anthology packaging, Blanketman […]
-DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER- Charlotte Cannon Deciding early on to remain seated in the school gymnasium-type ‘bench zone’ gives me a chance to observe the rather theatrical lightning setup, in conjunction with the gaudy, oversized disco ball looming over the growing audience (imagine the impact). It actually provides a rather fitting backdrop for the opening act; […]

LIVE: SNAPPED ANKLES / CHARLOTTE CANNON – 06/03/2019