LIVE: BIG THIEF – 22/05/2019

-THE RITZ, MANCHESTER- Big Thief can’t quite believe how they ended up here. “This is our first tour on a bus!” exclaims band leader Adrianne Lenker, thrilled by the prospect of actually being able to sleep between city stops. Before the last couple of songs this evening they pause to thank the 17 people who […]
-GORILLA, MANCHESTER- I arrive at the sold out Gorilla venue awaiting Aldous Harding to take to the stage. It’s so hot, and the extremely large fans are churning out mildly cold air, whilst making noises as loud as the current Manchester road works. I think about Aldous’ music style and how these fans might interfere […]

LIVE: ALDOUS HARDING – 21/05/2019

LIVE: MANIC STREET PREACHERS / GWENNO – 20/05/2019

-THE RITZ, MANCHESTER- “C’mon everyone… sing along!” Normally at a charged, fizzing, visceral gig like the Manics in the rather cosy environs of The Ritz, a call to arms such as this would garner an immediate, loyal response. Only, the issue here is that it isn’t the Manics… it’s the support act, Gwenno. And the […]
I hadn’t heard of The Pinheads before I picked up their latest release – ‘Is This Real’ – ahead of its first outing on the 24 May, but the promises made set a happy scene… “Born out of friendship, bowling, sci-fi movie marathons and literal brotherhood, Australian six piece garage rockers The Pinheads formed out […]

ALBUM REVIEW: THE PINHEADS – IS THIS REAL

LIVE: POTTERY / THE BEAR AROUND YOUR NECK / MONK – 14/05/2019

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- Monk Dominated by an almost dystopian theme, Monk plough through their set with particularly heavy-handed drumming, guitar tones presumably reliant on pedals and a kind of aggressive sing-speak approach (effects also employed) that tries to convey a sense of despair. The super-serious nature of the music doesn’t particularly invoke the sentiment […]
It all started with ‘Donuts’, apparently. Not the fatty treat but J Dilla’s very explicit and eponymous album. The Dream Syndicate’s lead singer Steve Wynn got obsessed with the DJ and cratedigger’s work and his approach to that mix-and-match of music of his very own. “I was messing around with step sequencers, drum machines, loops—anything […]

ALBUM REVIEW: DREAM SYNDICATE – THESE TIMES

ALBUM REVIEW: THE NATIONAL – I AM EASY TO FIND

The National have made a brave move. Letting go of the creative reins for their eighth album, they handed over creative control to film director Mike Mills after he initially approached them about making a film together, being invited to produce the new album was an unexpected turn of events. After all, why meddle with […]
-ALBERT HALL, MANCHESTER- In front of a sold out Albert Hall crowd, Oh Sees main man and Castle Face Records label boss John Dwyer takes to the stage, to a huge cheer, but hang on a minute, he’s just setting up the equipment – himself. That’s just one of the million reasons to love this […]

LIVE: OH SEES – 18/05/2019

LIVE: WITCH FEVER / FERAL FAMILY / BLEACH BODY – 18/05/2019

-YES (THE BASEMENT), MANCHESTER- When I first saw punk band WITCH FEVER in March, they made such an impression on me that I really didn’t want to miss out on their headline show at Yes (The Basement). In between then and now, they have toured with Lady Bird and GURU, but tonight is their first […]
-NIGHT PEOPLE, MANCHESTER- Charly Bliss appear to be in permanent disbelief at the success of their band. As I wrote when I saw them play The Eagle Inn in 2017, they bounded around the stage as much in shock at the reality of the moment as through the joy of performing their music. Fast forward […]

LIVE: CHARLY BLISS – 09/05/2019