GIG GUIDE – SEPTEMBER 2024

We have trawled through the forthcoming gigs in and around Manchester so you don’t have to. We believe that if we are going to recommend a gig to you, then it should be exactly that, a recommendation. There’s always plenty of great gigs going on in Manchester, too many to cover them all, but here’s […]
No Depression in Heaven, Madeline Johnston’s newest release under the Midwife moniker, is a steady trickle of dreamlike slowcore from the other side of an infinite expanse. The Denver, Colorado-based purveyor of self-described ‘Heaven Metal’ (described as emotional music about devastation) returns after last year’s excellent Orbweaving – a collaboration with Vyva Melinkolya – with […]

ALBUM REVIEW – MIDWIFE: NO DEPRESSION IN HEAVEN

EP REVIEW – HOUSE OF PROTECTION: GALORE

When Stephen Harrison and Aric Importa left Fever333, it was very unclear if or when both of these top-notch musicians would return. It took a short while, but when House Of Protection was announced, the news took the alternative scene by storm. The hype was nearly overwhelming, and their debut EP proves to match this […]
As Autumn begins, so commences the bombardment of great new releases. This week’s selection is as follows: Claude Fontaine        La Mer                A vibrant blend of 60s French yé-yé pop, Studio One reggae, and Brazilian tropicalia sung in English, French and Portuguese. The unexpected combination of styles makes this album stand out. Hinds                  Viva Hinds       […]

ALBUM ROUNDUP WEEK ENDING 6 SEPTEMBER 2024

ALBUM REVIEW – KUGELSCHREIBER: CHEERLEADERS

Throughout recording ‘Cheerleaders’, Kugelschreiber (which translates from German as ballpoint pen) had a Post-it note in sight that read “What would Prince do?” However, this album sounds nothing like the diminutive, purple-clad wonder. The other influences cited for the record are ABBA, Field Music, Broadcast and Pixies. Unsurprisingly, there is little in common with such […]
Foster the People have come a long way since their 2010 hit single ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ broke the charts, making it easy to look back on the band’s previous records with a sense of nostalgia. Torches was a decent indie pop debut that allowed the group to find a temporary style for the time being. […]

ALBUM REVIEW – FOSTER THE PEOPLE: PARADISE STATE OF MIND

ALBUM REVIEW – TINDERSTICKS: SOFT TISSUE

When the first Tindersticks album emerged in 1993, immediately they stood out from other bands within the independent sector. Their lush, orchestrated sound, decorated with pianos and violins, was at odds with the prevailing zeitgeist. This was the post-grunge era that also saw the first glimmers of what would become Britpop, both highly conservative forms […]
Many things have come from Brooklyn; Jay Z, most of Wu Tang and a bridge. Gooseberry are tipped to be next. Picking a band name isn’t everyone’s forte I suppose. The trio consists of vocalist/guitarist Asa Daniels, drummer Evin Rossington and Will Hammond on bass who blend blues and alt rock to create their sound. […]

ALBUM REVIEW – GOOSEBERRY: ALL MY FRIENDS ARE CATTLE

SINGLE REVIEW – TOM A SMITH: I DON’T WANT YOU TO HAVE TO REMEMBER ME FOR LONGER THAN YOU EVER KNEW ME

When Tom A Smith played Deaf Institute earlier this year, he introduced two new songs into the set.  The closer – a cover of LCD Soundsystems “All My Friends” – was incredible, a fine example of a band reinterpreting and making someone else’s song their own. But the most intriguing song of the night was […]
Oasis are back…but could they have faded into non-existence before it had even started? The 29th of August 1994, Oasis’ ‘Definitely Maybe’ was released. 30 years later, this album made by five working class Mancuniun lads is still regarded as one of the best debut’s and began the story, culture and community of Oasis. Unbeknownst […]

ALBUM REVIEW – OASIS: DEFINITELY MAYBE