Liam Frost / Ederlezi / Demi Marriner - Manchester Halle St Michael's - 25th/26th February 2022

One of Manchester's most-loved yet underappreciated songwriters made his comeback with two intimate shows at Halle St Michael's on Friday and Saturday night, reminding us of the brilliance of his back catalogue of three albums whilst tantalising us with new material which he promises will be released "soon". Support came from Ederlezi on Friday and Demi Marriner on Saturday.

Sprints / DEAFDEAFDEAF - Manchester Yes Basement - 24th February 2022

Sprints played their first date of 2022 in the smoky basement of Manchester's Yes on Thursday night, the opening show on their UK and Irish tour in support of their forthcoming second EP A Modern Job. An enthusiastic crowd were drawn in by the infectious energy emanating from the stage as Sprints' no holds barred approach to their art continued their seemingly unstoppable rise.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Just Mustard - Still

Just Mustard have revealed Still, the first track to be taken from their forthcoming second album Heart Under that is released on May 27th. The song features intoxicating vocals from Katie Ball wrapped around a gloriously intense soundtrack.

VLURE - Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut - 18th February 2022

Delayed from December, VLURE's triumphant end-of-tour homecoming at Glasgow's King Tut's Wah Wah Hut was the hottest ticket in town on Friday night. Coming home with the release of their debut EP Euphoria in their back pocket and about to embark on a tour across bigger halls supporting White Lies, this was a celebration amongst friends of a band that's destined for greatness.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The False Peak - The Dreamer

The Dreamer is the debut single from The False Peak, a Leeds-based trio and the song very much lives up to their stated aim of "writing catchy songs with an evocative message" as they look back at childhood memories wrapped up in music that has a warm and endearing feel to it.

Smoke Fairies / Samana - Manchester Deaf Institute - 12th February 2022

Smoke Fairies brought their first tour in two years to Manchester's Deaf Institute on Saturday night with a set leaning heavily on 2020's Darkness Brings The Wonders Home album. Support came from a stripped-down Samana.

Sugarfungus - Interview

Vancouver's Sugarfungus formed during lockdown and recently released their debut EP Letting Go, Moving Still, six songs of addictive glorious electronic dream-pop tinged with a hint of melancholy. We caught up with them for a chat to find out more about them, the songs on the EP and their plans.

The Snuts / Heidi Curtis - Manchester Blues Kitchen - 9th February 2022

Wednesday night saw Jack from The Snuts perform a much-rescheduled set of songs from their number one debut album accompanied by a cellist in front of packed and vocal Manchester crowd at The Blues Kitchen. Support came from Newcastle solo artist Heidi Curtis.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Balancing Act - Cold

Cold is the debut single from Balancing Act, a duo featuring Kai Roberts, formerly front man of Carnival Club, and Jackson Couzens of Anteros. Now relocated to London from Manchester where they met, they've got together to produce this first single with the promise of more to come.

Déjà Vega - Glasgow Nice N Sleazy - 6th February 2022

Déjà Vega are on a roll. The night after their biggest ever headline show at Manchester Gorilla, the band make their way north to play their inaugural Scottish show. Stuart Ralston went home for the evening and, like the rest of the audience, was blown away.

Cherry Ghost / Liam Frost - Hebden Bridge Trades Club - 6th February 2022

Postponed almost two years from its original date in April 2020, Sunday night finally saw Cherry Ghost play an extremely rare live show at Hebden Bridge Trades Club with a set spanning their three albums to date to an awe-struck reverent audience. Support came from a solo set from Liam Frost making his Trades Club debut.

Déjà Vega / The Zangwills - Manchester Gorilla - 5th February 2022

Déjà Vega's much-delayed tour to support the much-delayed release of their second album Personal Hell called in at Manchester Gorilla on Saturday night for a triumphant sort-of-homecoming show in front of a fevered crowd drawn in by the cathartic majesty of a band that had always been seen as an underdog but who are now filling venues across the country.

Ist Ist - Manchester 33 Oldham Street - 1st February 2022

Ist Ist played the first of two extremely intimate Independent Venue Week shows at Manchester's 33 Oldham Street venue on Tuesday night. Tickets sold out in seconds for both shows when they were put on sale so there was a real sense of anticipation for a band playing to a tenth of the audience of their recent Manchester headline shows and they didn't disappoint with a twenty-song set that went all the way back to their debut single and forward to an unreleased track they're working on for their third album.