LIVE: LOWER DENS – 25/10/2015

– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – A blue mist stands in the air as Lower Dens make for the stage. Tonight, they’re cut down to just a three piece, as their electric guitarist had to remain at home due to a family illness. Such things could stop a number of bands in their tracks; not […]
 – RNCM, MANCHESTER – For those of you who know Tiger Lillies, they need no introduction. For those who don’t, well – how long have you got? For starters, there’s the painted faces, the vintage costumes and the unusual instruments (tonight including accordion, theramin, Jew’s harp and musical saw). Then there’s the falsetto singing, which, […]

LIVE: THE TIGER LILLIES – 27/10/2015

LIVE: FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES – 26/10/2015

– THE STAR & GARTER, MANCHESTER – Frank Carter’s career has been quite the roller coaster. Frank first came to a lot of people’s attention just over a decade ago as front man of Gallows. Gallows were the most ferocious hardcore bands of the time with Frank being one of the most tenacious and exciting […]
– FALLOW CAFE, MANCHESTER – Tonight appears to be my lucky night, because 4 great bands are playing around the corner from my flat, for free. Family Tree have put this together, along with Bleached DJ’s, who are to feature regularly at this venue. I wander into the converted terraced house unopposed, a little later than advertised […]

LIVE: THE BLACK TAMBOURINES / TVAM / PEACE AND LOVE BARBERSHOP / THE RED CORDS – 24/10/2015

LIVE: SUNDARA KARMA – 24/10/2015

– SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER – After weeks of telling people to check out Sundara Karma for them to look at me blankly and ask if that’s some sort of thai restaurant, it’s nice to see that the Berkshire-based indie rockers are finally in the spotlight. Supporting the likes of Circa Waves and the Wombats has […]
– SOUND CONTROL, MANCHESTER – Wouldn’t it be just nice to burst in your boss/tutor/whoever-who-call-the shots’ office and shout out: “Blues explosion!”? And then, just to clarify your position in front of a very much likely puzzled face: “Uh!” “Ah!” “Oh, yeah!” “C’mon!” “Let’s GO!” Yeahh… I picture the deliciously funny scene while I let […]

LIVE: THE JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION – 22/10/2015

LIVE: BLOSSOMS – 23/10/2015

– THE RITZ, MANCHESTER – Whilst Blossoms may have named themselves after a historic pub in Stockport, I highly doubt they’ve been popping in for a pint very much recently. After a string of massively successful festival appearances, recordings for Radio 1 and being labelled Radio X’s ‘Record Of The Week,’ they’ve acquired a very […]
– ACADEMY 1, MANCHESTER – I once turned up to an Editors gig a day late. As I walked away from the queue for Fall Out Boy, I vowed I’d probably try and see them again at some point, but it never came up. And then this new album In Dreams somewhat grabbed me. It is dark, moody and punchy with […]

LIVE: EDITORS – 22/10/2015

Single Review: Cape Cub – Keep Me In Mind

The north-east of England is quickly becoming recognised as a hotbed of musical talent, with quality artists and bands sprouting up across the region. Amongst the up-and-comers is the indie/pop/alternative four-piece Cape Cub. The group is attracting ever-increasing attention from radio and recently joined the line up of bands, including the likes of Little Comets, […]
– SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER – There’s a real buzz around Seattle’s Chastity Belt, following the release earlier this year of their superb second album Time To Go Home. The female four-piece’s confident, carefree and fun-loving attitude translates well through their music, reminding me somewhat of Warpaint, in their approach. The basement is pretty much full […]

LIVE: CHASTITY BELT – 21/10/2015