She Drew The Gun / Peaness / Natalie McCool - Manchester Academy 2 - 30th October 2019

She Drew The Gun's UK tour called in at a close-to-capacity Manchester Academy 2 on Wednesday night for an inspirational show pulling from both the Memories Of Another Future and Revolution Of Mind albums as well as new material. Support came from Peaness and Natalie McCool.

The Red Stains - Manchester Retro - 26th October 2019

Intrigued by their on-line presence and the scratchy demo they'd posted on their Soundcloud, we caught up with The Red Stains playing the Deco Records Halloween event at Retro on Saturday teatime.

Jordan Allen / Scuttlers / Urban Theory - Manchester Gorilla - 26th October 2019

Jordan Allen's big comeback gig and biggest ever headline show to date at Manchester Gorilla sold out a couple of months in advance. The anticipation in the room was intense before he and his new band delivered a breathless fifty-minute set that never paused for breath and left both Jordan and his loyal crowd exhausted by the end. Support came from Urban Theory and Scuttlers.

James Holt - Manchester HMV - 26th October 2019

James Holt played the latest of HMV’s Live And Local showcases in their Manchester Arndale store on Saturday afternoon.

Happy Mondays - The Early EP's

Salford legends Happy Mondays have just embarked on a massive greatest hits tour. To celebrate, they are reissuing their first four 12" singles as a box set. Long term Mondays and Factory fan Stuart Ralston takes a look back at some classic and often overlooked tracks.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Berries - Lies

Berries return with their new single Lies, the title track and the second to be taken for their forthcoming second EP.

The Twilight Sad - Leeds Brudenell Social Club - 22nd October 2019

The Twilight Sad returned to one of our, and their, favourite venues for the second night of their current U.K. and European tour producing a breathtaking, cathartic experience that left the crowd on their knees.

Ren Harvieu / Pat Dam Smyth - Manchester Deaf Institute - 22nd October 2019

Ren Harvieu recently announced her return and her long-awaited second album after a seven year gap from her debut. To showcase the record she announced two low-key shows starting with this one at the Deaf Institute in Manchester where she revealed eight more new songs, one that's so new it isn't even on the record as well as a selection of old favourites to a besotted audience.  Support came from Pat Dam Smyth.

TRACK OF THE DAY : His Father's Voice - In The Shade

In The Shade is the follow-up to Limerick four-piece His Father's Voice's debut EP Context And Perspective that was released earlier this year. Coupled with b-side Close that shows a different side to the band, In The Shade is warm, rich and accessible despite the disdain being shown to the song's villain.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Slow Riot - G.A.D.

Limerick's Slow Riot were once tipped to be the next big thing to emerge from Ireland. Sadly they've now split, but they are about to release what would have been their debut album and have previewed it with a single called G.A.D.

Déjà Vega - Interview

Déjà Vega have been one of our favourite live bands for a long time yet for some reason never seemed to make the step up that a lot of lesser bands were. That's all started to change recently as they're selling out increasingly bigger shows in Manchester and travelling much further afield. We caught up with them to talk about their recently released debut album, their writing and recording processes and their exciting plans for 2020.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Magazines - Tough

Tough is Dublin four-piece Magazines' debut single set for release on November 1st, an impressive opening from a band that's been around less than a year on the Dublin scene.

The Murder Capital / Happy Couple - Manchester Yes - 18th October 2019

The Murder Capital brought an end to their sold-out headline tour to promote their debut album When I Have Fears with a sold-out show at Manchester Yes supported by Brighton-based trio Happy Couple.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Fever - Jungle Man

Jungle Man is the extremely promising debut single from Hull four-piece Fever released via Blossoms' Very Clever Records label, a perfect two minute crossover indie-pop single that recalls many of their recognisable influences but which feels thoroughly contemporary and immediately an ear worm.

David Ford / Abe Partridge - Kendal Brewery Arts Centre - 17th October 2019

David Ford brought his latest one man tour to the intimate setting of Kendal Brewery Arts Centre on Thursday night for a career spanning set with his latest invention allowing him to loop multiple instruments and build songs from the ground up.  Support came from American singer-songwriter Abe Partridge, who was full of interesting stories and rich emotional songs.

The Wha - Interview

The Wha might only have released two singles, but they're already signed to star-maker indie label Chess Club and making enough noise to be considered the next in line of bands to come from the fertile Irish music scene and make their name in the UK. We caught up with them for a chat about their roots, the expectation that's been placed upon them and plans into next year.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Kaze - Crying Diamonds

Crying Diamonds is the latest in a series of live performance videos by Kaze. Labelled as "No make up, no edits, some off singing and some tears" it's a raw emotional performance, the sound of just a piano and a voice.

The Lottery Winners - Interview

With their self-titled long-awaited debut album set for release in March 2020 and their biggest ever headline show just announced for Manchester's iconic Ritz venue, things are finally falling into place for The Lottery Winners, one of the most-loved and enduring bands in the North West. We caught up with Thom to talk about the album, new single and video Hawaii, playing The Ritz and what it means to finally get the break they deserve.

The Murder Capital / Happy Couple - Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut - 16th October 2019

The Murder Capital juggernaut rolled into Glasgow on Wednesday night for a sold-out show at a steaming hot King Tut's Wah Wah Hut with Happy Couple in tow.

Emily Capell - Combat Frock

Emily Capell's debut album has been in a long-time making, but Combat Frock is more than worth the wait as the north-west Londoner delivers an album that captures on record the joyful essence of her live shows and her unique razor sharp wit, social commentary and love of a famous football bad boy.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Ill - Kick Him Out The Disco

Kick Him Out The Disco is Ill's first new material since last year's debut We Are Ill album. Described as"a song about realising that it’s not You, it’s definitely Them; it’s about standing up for yourself and giving your manipulative exes and incompetent overlords a glittered middle finger"

The Murder Capital / Happy Couple - Edinburgh Mash House - 15th October 2019

The Murder Capital's first sold-out Scottish headline show at Edinburgh's intimate Mash House venue ended up feeling more like an out-of-body experience, forty-five minutes of the most powerful antidote to both personal and the world's ills, an opportunity to lose yourself and immerse yourself in the most potent medicine - love. Support came from Brighton's Happy Couple.

Gdansk 81 - Veneration Complex EP

Gdansk81 describe themselves as “post punk underdogs from the rainy city.” What they bring on their Veneration Complex EP is an approach that’s rare amongst bands who identify with that genre. Across the three songs they intersperse male and female vocals - with Macker and Claire either taking the lead or combining in call and response - to create something that feels unique in this space.

TRACK OF THE DAY : talker - Keep Me Safe

Keep Me Safe is the first track to be released from talker's second EP, the follow-up to her debut Horror Films and her first release since signing to Common Ground Records earlier this year.

The Murder Capital / Happy Couple - Leeds Brudenell Social Club - 14th October 2019

The Murder Capital’s sold out UK tour hit one of our favourite venues in the world on Monday night - the main room at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds for another of those evenings that will live long in the memory of a band on the cusp. Support came from Brighton’s Happy Couple.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Hayley Mary - The Piss, The Perfume

The Piss, The Perfume is the debut solo single from The Jezabels lead singer Hayley Mary although she might not totally appreciate the reference to her past. Accompanied by a light-hearted fun video that really captures the song's essence, the single deals with her reaction to the return of an ex-lover and her reaction to it.

Glasspop / Methods / Husk - Manchester The Peer Hat - 13th October 2019

Poland's Glasspop finished a whistlestop seventy two hour trip to the UK with their first ever headline here at The Peer Hat in Manchester after playing five shows across two days at Lancaster Music Festival. Their set featured big anthemic songs from their Stranger In The Mirror album supported by Wolverhampton's Methods and Manchester's own Husk.

The Murder Capital / Happy Couple - Birmingham Castle And Falcon - 12th October 2019

The Murder Capital's sold out tour rolled into Birmingham's Castle And Falcon on Saturday night for a hot and sweaty show that built in intensity as it progressed with an inordinate amount of love in the room for the most exhilarating band around at the moment. Support came from Brighton's Happy Couple.

Conifer John - Interview

The mysterious Conifer John released their self-titled debut album last Friday. We caught up with the man behind the project for a chat about the concept, the unusual writing and recording processes and to get his description of the sound of Conifer John.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Brenda Carsey - Her

Her is the second single to be taken from LA-based vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Brenda Carsey's forthcoming album Sirens. With an entrancing video using vintage footage from Prelinger Archives San Francisco, the song is a beautifully reflective track that looks into the confusing world of human relationships and interactions and waiting for someone to love you.

The Murder Capital - Birmingham HMV Vault - 12th October 2019

The Murder Capital played a short but bittersweet four-song set to help celebrate the opening of HMV's new Birmingham Vault store on Saturday lunchtime, setting up the surreal sight of a band celebrated for its dark intensity playing to a well-lit warehouse of Saturday shoppers.

LIINES / Bis - Manchester Night And Day Cafe - 11th October 2019

LIINES and Bis's three-date tour rolled into Manchester for its second night and the sold-out signs had been posted weeks in advance. A packed crowd braved the Night And Day's usual sweatbox atmosphere on packed nights to witness two bands with contrasting styles but very similar ethos deliver two rapturously received sets.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Celestial North - You Painted A World

You Painted A World is the sixth single from the mysterious Celestial North. It's her most accessible track yet, building slowly, using repetition cleverly to emphasise the message to "hold yourself back, hold yourself close" like the most comforting arm around the shoulder as the song's subject ponders the next steps.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Seamonsters - How To Be Famous

The Seamonsters return with a new single today, their live favourite How To Be Famous, a song that showcases a very different side to them from their early singles. Heavier and harder-hitting, taking aim at the things people are expected to do in order to have their fifteen minutes in the spotlight, it's their best single to date.

The Slow Readers Club - Live At The O2 Apollo Manchester

For years those in the know shouted from the rooftops that The Slow Readers Club were made to fill out venues like the Apollo yet no one really believed that it would ever come to pass. But for the magic of word of mouth, and of course a set full of songs across three albums that could have been written with this hallowed space in mind, it happened in December 2018 and sold out three months in advance. Ten months on and that magical night has been captured for posterity on CD / DVD and vinyl - and it's like the musical equivalent of a This Is Your Life episode played out in front of three and a half thousand adoring fans.

Déjà Vega - Déjà Vega

Déjà Vega's long-awaited debut album finally sees the light of day this week, just as they start to sell out bigger and bigger venues across Manchester and further afield. Including many of the singles that have helped to grow that following, the album captures one of the country's most exhilarating live bands and commits them to long-play vinyl for the very first time whilst still maintaining the excitement and energy of the live shows.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Marissa Burwell - Scaredy Cat

Marissa Burwell's Scaredy Cat is the follow-up single to her self-titled debut EP that the Canadian singer-songwriter from Regina, Saskatchewan released earlier this year. The song is accompanied by one of the best music videos we've seen this year where Marissa sets up traps to ensnare people who are seeking to do her harm.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Conifer John - Walden Pond

Walden Pond is the lead track from the mysterious Conifer John's self-titled debut album that is released this Friday to coincide with a launch show at Salford St Philip's Church.

TRACKS OF THE DAY : The Twilight Sad - Rats / Public Housing

On the back of one of the albums of the year in It Won/t Be Like This All The Time, The Twilight Sad surprised us all by revealing two new songs on October 8th in the form of Rats and Public Housing.

Apollo Junction - Interview

It's been a busy year for Leeds' Apollo Junction. They've released their debut album Mystery, played festival bills with some of the biggest names in indie around and have had their music on TV in the UK and the US. We caught up with them for a chat about all that and their plans for touring in 2020.

Vulpynes - Dye Me Red EP

Dye Me Red is Vulpynes’ second EP, the follow-up to last year’s self-titled debut from the Dublin duo. Like on its predecessor, Vulpynes trade in huge heavy hook-laden songs layered with earworm melodies.

The Murder Capital / Happy Couple - York The Crescent - 6th October 2019

The Murder Capital’s extensive UK tour in support of their top 20 debut album When I Have Fears entered its first full week with a rescheduled date at a sold out Crescent in York. Playing all but one song from the album in an intense fifty minute set that ended in chaos and confusion, they demonstrated they can more than meet the heightened expectations. Support came from Brighton's Happy Couple.

Austel - Interview

With the release of her new single Now We're Here following up last year's debut EP Unfold, Austel is hoping to build on the positive momentum and feedback she's received. We caught up with her for a chat about the single, the accompanying video and plans for more new material and touring.

Thousand Yard Stare - It Sparks EP

It Sparks! is the first new material from Thousand Yard Stare since 2017’s Deep Dreaming / Stargazing double EP. Backed with a stripped back pastoral version of Tragedy No 6 from their second album Mappamundi and a demo version of the single, it shows they’ve still got plenty to give.

Ist Ist / The Black Lagoons / Eugene Gorgeous / West Wickhams - York Fulford Arms - 5th October 2019

Ist Ist concluded their UK tour with their first ever show in York at the Fulford Arms on Saturday night, supported by an impressive line-up of The Black Lagoons, Eugene Gorgeous and West Wickhams.

Déjà Vega / The Hot Soles - Manchester Gullivers - 4th October 2019

Déjà Vega's biggest Manchester headline show to date at Gullivers sold out in hours (they've since sold out the Deaf Institute six months in advance). As they prepare for next week's release of their long-awaited debut album, a packed room celebrated one of the North West's best live bands finally starting to get the recognition and success they deserve.

Glasspop - Interview

Describing themselves as "Modern Synth Alternative Rock" Glasspop are returning to the UK from their native Poland to play at this year's Lancaster Music Festival and then their first ever UK headline show at Manchester's Peer Hat on October 13. We caught up with front man Marcin “Maverick” Kujawa to talk about the band, Polish music and their love of British music.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Afghan Sand Gang - Fast Talk

Afghan Sand Gang return with their new single Fast Talk, the Mossley four-piece mixing social commentary behind the shimmering electronics of the song.

TRACK OF THE DAY : James Holt - Little Green Light

James Holt has released his new single Little Green Light ahead of his biggest headline show to date at Manchester's Deaf Institute this Friday. He describes it as "the most upbeat track I've released so far, a hybrid of sorts, fusing elements of disco, Latin American rhythms and Johnny Marr jangly guitar lines, all with hints of The Beatles throughout”