LIVE REVIEW – TOM A SMITH: DEAF INSTITUTE – 02/04/2026

Tom A Smith’s show this evening in Manchester’s best small venue felt like the end of something. Sunderland’s worst kept secret has been steadily honing his craft for over a decade, and those fortunate enough to have seen him play over the years will attest to the growing maturity in both his songwriting and stage […]
On my first day at sixth form college, I was asked by a fellow student what was the most recent record I had bought. My answer, ‘Songs to Remember’ by Scritti Politti, brought laughter. His dismal was based on nothing more than not having heard of the record, therefore it must be rubbish. It proved […]

ALBUM REVIEW – SCRITTI POLITTI: SONGS TO REMEMBER

LIVE REVIEW – LEON THOMAS: MANCHESTER ACADEMY – 27/03/2026

The Mutts never Heel tour. I had the pleasure of seeing Leon Thomas at the Manchester Academy and what a time was had, but let’s start off with the basics. Doors open at 7pm, I get there for 9pm, fashionably late as per usual. Technical difficulties I do apologise but Leon hasn’t hit the stage […]
I know, I know you’re probably sick and tired of 2000s band doing 20th anniversary albums. However, rock band The Academy Is… has taken a fresh spin on their newest album in 18 years. From the first glance, especially if you’re a casual fan, I doubt you would pick up how self-referential this album is […]

ALBUM REVIEW – THE ACADEMY IS… : ALMOST THERE

ALBUM REVIEW – SCOUTING FOR GIRLS: THESE ARE THE GOOD DAYS

Scouting For Girls. Now I can almost guarantee when you hear that name you think of many nights out singing ‘She’s So Lovely’ at the top of your lungs. Or hearing ‘Elvis Isn’t Dead’ blast from the car radio. Well they never went away after that, and they are back with their eighth long player, […]
Wild Billy Childish & CTMF      House on Fire  The album features remixed versions of their covers of The Saints’ ‘Untitled’ and The Yardbirds’ ‘Shapes of Things’ (both previously only available on limited edition 7” singles) along with twelve original new recordings. AySay   Mal        Hypnotic Anatolian rock journey about returning home. Sung in Turkish, Kurdish, and […]

ALBUM ROUNDUP WEEK ENDING 27 MARCH 2026

ALBUM REVIEW – BHAJAN BHOY: MEDITATIONS

When reviewing new music from Ajay Saggar, it has become obligatory to remark upon the impossibility of guessing what he will do next. Since last he featured on this website, he has released ‘Summer In St Mary’s’ under the guise of Bhajan Bhoy, a double album of organ music recorded in a 15th Century church. […]
This might seem blasphemous appearing on a Manchester-based website but I would argue that 4AD was the most important record label to emerge in the post-punk era, eclipsing even Factory Records. Although it would be impossible to deny the impact of a select few acts that Tony Wilson’s label is associated with (Joy Division / […]

BOOK REVIEW: MARTIN ASTON – FACING THE OTHER WAY: THE STORY OF 4AD

INTERVIEW – BCUC

Soweto ensemble BCUC (which stands for Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness) make politically conscious, rhythm-heavy, life-affirming music which exudes positivity. Their fifth album, ‘The Road Is Never Easy’, is set to be released on 3 April 2026 via Outhere Records and will be followed by extensive touring. Within 24 hours of emailing some questions to the […]
On ‘Sibitsa sa mmino’, BCUC sing words that translate as “we want progress and to succeed / the purpose of music.” These lyrics sum up their rare ability to produce music with such a clearly defined sense of its own power and what it aims to achieve, mixing a punk attitude with gospel spirituality. Hailing […]

ALBUM REVIEW – BCUC: THE ROAD IS NEVER EASY