Prior to the launch of their single and the imminent concourse of spectators descending toward the Peer Hat basement, I inquire about a variety subjects with the hope of extracting information relevant to the prospective readers, the adjacent sound-check adding a new layer to the transcription process… Angus: How would you describe the writing process […]
-THE PEER HAT, MANCHESTER- Vat-Egg Imposition I suppose the obvious thing to comment on would be the leading vocalist’s decision to wear a costume resembling that of a poultry staple known to most as an egg (colour inaccuracy), tying in with one word in their name in a thematic fashion, presumably. Salted snacks, authoritarianism in […]
-VARIOUS VENUES, MANCHESTER- ‘New Music Festival and Conference’ Off The Record is returning to Manchester for its fourth edition this Friday. It’s a one day event (apart from the networking drinks on Thursday), taking place over different venues across the Northern Quarter, such as Jimmy’s, Night and Day Café and Soup Kitchen. During the day, […]
Congregated on a table following their set at the Peer Hat (09/10/2019), I ask the members of Furrowed Brow (barring their absent drummer Cristy) a series of questions relating to their band, with a few off-topic ventures thrown in. Angus: Your gig is about to start, what sandwich would you like to eat beforehand? Ryan: […]
-THE PEER HAT, MANCHESTER- Furrowed Brow With additional personnel and two months of gigging since their live debut, Furrowed Brow has (much to my predication) significantly gained in confidence and cohesion, akin to a unit of conscripts surviving the very skirmishes that would make or break their service. Having a more technically proficient guitarist (albeit […]
-THE PEER HAT, MANCHESTER- Blanketman Entering the all too familiar Peer Hat basement, I learn this evening has something memorable and exclusive for all spectators present; acting on instinct, I forsake my typical rule of live reviews (to the detriment of my cellular battery). Taking the front compartment in this limited edition anthology packaging, Blanketman […]
-THE PEER HAT, MANCHESTER- Thee Windom Earles In the congested, oddly lit confines we all know as the Peer Hat basement, a band that evidently borrows from the 1950s emerges… albeit with a more spirited approach to guitar playing and drumming that probably wouldn’t have existed in that particular timeframe (Who likes pizza?). The alternating […]
-THE PEER HAT, MANCHESTER- We have a wealth of support acts in store at the Peer Hat tonight, and some excellent craft beers to accompany us. It’s a nice place for a drink as well as a gig. Chaos LOL gets his five-minute warning and hastily drops some super-heavy gabba before throwing down some polyrhythmic […]
Disintegration State is one of the most exciting new electronic labels around. They’ve only existed for six months but released some of the best records of last year, as exemplified on their first release, a compilation record named Disintegrated Journeys // Disintegrated Destinations. Half the album was more beat-driven, the second half more drone-focussed, and […]
Off The Record, launched by three of the UK’s premiere independent music festivals, Kendal Calling, Sound City and Bluedot, and music site Louder Than War, is all about innovative ideas, new music and emerging artists. By day, it features a music conference at the Methodist Central Hall, curated by Sound City and Louder Than War, […]
GIG GUIDE
Between September 2011 and March 2020 we provided a handpicked gig guide every month without fail. It's painful for us that there are currently no gigs to recommend. We hope gigs will return soon to bring you new recommendations, but if you want to reminisce you can still see nine years worth of old gig guides.
