LIVE: STRANGE CAGES / WORKING MEN’S CLUB – 29/03/2019

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- A nice little two band line up has been comprised by Interior for a sold out show at The Castle tonight of two acts that have been attracting ever more attention. Opening we have Working Men’s Club, a quintet from Todmorden whose name is an ode to the only form of […]

-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: FUR / HONEY MOON – 12/02/2019

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- A glimpse of summer is brought to us during this harsh winter with edgy-on-the-outside/soft-on-the-inside aesthetic from supporting band Honey Moon; familiar to that sensation you get from a lemon soother, settling your cold down, even if it’s just for a little bit. When I first saw the name of the support, […]

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- After hearing much hype over Heavy Lungs over the past six months, supporting Idles and listening to their two EPs, I felt like this was the last time I would see them in a small intimate venue such as the Castle Hotel. The hype before the gig is great, I have […]

LIVE: HEAVY LUNGS / VULGARIANS – 31/01/2019

LIVE: THE GOA EXPRESS / GARDENBACK / SAINTTS – 12/01/2019

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- Saintts: The evening opens with what sounds like a badly-maintained theme park ride (a selection of cymbals precariously strapped on in addition) acting as the beat, while its more subdued rhythm partner watches on in despair as the guitar repeatedly bashes their circuitry into increasingly questionable territory. And of course, the […]

-CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- The support at Castle Hotel tonight is the terrific Malena Zavala, playing without the usual full band at her back. The solo performance works wonderfully as her delicate voice drifts over a delicate touch to the guitar. It has a sweet 80’s prom feel to the sound, a serene start to the […]

LIVE: STEADY HOLIDAY / MALENA ZAVALA – 17/10/2018

LIVE: PETE ASTOR / SKI SAIGON – 12/05/2018

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- Pete Astor was once labelled the next ‘Dylan’ by Creation Records head honcho Alan McGhee who signed Astor’s then band The Loft to McGhee’s fledgling record company in 1984. Unfortunately following the demise of The Loft and his second band, The Weather Prophets, the latter being signed to the major label […]

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- Tonight is an exciting night for me for two reasons. Firstly, I have patronised the Castle Hotel on a few evenings, but have never ventured past the cosy piano room. Tonight I get to visit door number 2, joyfully adding another Manchester music venue to my ever growing list. Upon entering, […]

LIVE: STELLA DONNELLY – 07/05/2018

LIVE: KAZE – 27/04/2018

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- A projectile courgette carves a path, like Gravity’s Rainbow, from the stage into the audience. This is music with menaces and only one of many signs that tonight is not the usual gig fare. When an artist is able to weaponise vegetables, you know they’re on to something. Kaze are the […]

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- The Castle’s small side room and Brooklyn band Florist are the perfect match. The music Emily Sprague and Jonnie Baker make is quiet, beautiful and intimate, and with the exception of the squeaky door (guys, get some WD-40 on it!), the room in the Castle has similar qualities. Tonight it’s packed, […]