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, […]

LIVE: FLORIST – 16/04/2018

LIVE: MR. BEN & THE BENS / DOG DAISIES / FAMILY SELECTION BOX / SUNDRIFT – 23/03/2018

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- Manchester’s place as the hub of Northern music has never been in dispute and it’s a well known fact that The Castle Hotel in the Northern Quarter has seen its fair share. Bands from all over will come to play in our prestigious venues and Friday night is no different as […]

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- Soccer Mommy is the alias for 20-year-old musician and singer-songwriter Sophie Allison from Nashville, Tennessee. After having released two records in the last 2 years, one of which was produced in her very own bedroom, March 2018 has seen the release of her debut full-length studio album, Clean. A few months […]

LIVE: SOCCER MOMMY – 04/03/2018

LIVE: DOUGA / CHEW MAGNA – 23/02/2018

-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- It’s Friday, it’s cold and I’ve got a last minute gig: Manchester outfit Douga at the warm and old school boozer The Castle; happy days. I love live music in pubs. Before the trendy bars and O2 academies became the staple arenas for every kind of music imaginable, the local watering […]

Following the release of their second album Albeit Living in July on Felte Recordings, L.A. punk/EBM band Sextile, have announced plans for an extensive European tour at the start of 2018 and have also shared a new video. The band’s first ever European tour will kick off with two weeks of dates across the UK, before […]