Del Barber / Lottie Gray / Mike Blue / Hetta Falzon - Manchester Retro - 30th January 2023

Del Barber's UK tour called in at Retro in Manchester on Monday night following his appearance at the UK Americana Week in London. He and his band performed songs from across his career and introduced us to what he describes as "Manitoba honky tonk". The supporting line up of Lottie Gray, Mike Blue and Hetta Falzon provide an excellent and varied introduction to the evening.

Meryl Streek / Products - Manchester Deaf Institute - 28th January 2023

Meryl Streek's 796 album was one of last year's most striking and important releases. Musically diverse, fuelled by the anger at the state of his native Ireland, the way religious and political power has corrupted society and its consequences. On Saturday he brought the album and his predominantly solo show to the Lodge of the Deaf Institute in Manchester supported by Products.

Charm Of Finches / Little Sparrow - Salford Sacred Trinity Church - 27th January 2023

Charm Of Finches returned to Greater Manchester after last year's shows in Manchester and Bury for an intimate sold out night in the inspiring surroundings of Salford's Sacred Trinity. Performing songs from their three albums to date as well as new songs from their fourth which they plan to record in Canada next month, the Australian duo had a reverent audience under their spell over two sets. Support came from closer to home in the form of Little Sparrow who reminded us of the majestic beauty of tracks from her debut album Wishing Tree and subsequent singles.

The Murder Capital - Manchester Piccadilly Records - 24th January 2023

As part of the promotion of their second album Gigi's Recovery which currently sits in the top 10 midweek album charts, The Murder Capital popped into Piccadilly Records in Manchester as part of a whistlestop series of acoustic sets and signings to promote the record.

Powder House - Dublin Workman's Cellar - 19th January 2023

Hailing from the West Coast of Ireland are Powder House. A three-piece folk, alternative, indie rock band who are threatening to create a stir in 2023. Ahead of The Murder Capital's launch shows for Gigi's Recovery in Dublin, Jason Wynne stumbled across Mayo’s next big thing at the Workman’s Cellar one bitterly cold evening where they played in celebration of the release that day of new single My Corner. 

TRACK OF THE DAY : New Divide - Delora

Delora is the second single by Manchester-based band New Divide, the follow-up to last year's debut All I Am. 

Mackay Hingley - Decades

2023 promises to be a busy year for Tom Hingley; next month sees the return of his post-Inspiral Carpets band The Lovers, plus extensive solo and band dates with his latest band The Kar-pets. But first, he starts the year with an exciting new project. Tom has taken time to record a new mini-album with his life long friend, former Hacienda co-worker and band mate from his pre-Inspirals beat combo, Too Much Texas, Gordon Mackay. It marks the first time they have recorded together in 38 years. 

The Murder Capital - Dublin Tower Records / Workman's Club - 20th January 2023

Album launch day for Gigi’s Recovery saw two shows in the space of three hours in their home city of Dublin which encapsulated the spirit and highlighted the continued rise of Ireland’s The Murder Capital.

Dirty Blonde / The Lotts / Barstaff / Ruby J / Overpass (This Feeling Big In 2023) - Manchester Bread Shed - 20th January 2023

This Feeling's Big In 20xx nights have often been a place for new bands to really make their mark before heading off to bigger venues and record deals. The Manchester leg of this year's series took place at Bread Shed with a massive line-up of seven bands, of which we caught the first five - Overpass, Ruby J, Barstaff, The Lotts and Dirty Blonde.

TRACK OF THE DAY : VLURE - Cut It

VLURE return with a new single Cut It, their first new material in almost a year since the release of their debut EP Euphoria.

Big Joanie / GHUM / Chemtrails - Manchester Deaf Institute - 17th January 2023

Big Joanie concluded their UK tour with a sold-out show at Manchester's Deaf Institute on Tuesday night in support of last year's second album Back Home. The Black Feminist Sistah Punk quartet ensured their messages of inclusion and empowerment were conveyed to a receptive crowd. Support came from GHUM and Chemtrails who impressed the audience with their sets.

The Murder Capital - Gigi's Recovery

When James McGovern declared “The evolution will not be compromised” in an interview ahead of the release of second album Gigi’s Recovery it raised a few eyebrows in some quarters. Alas, any fears the band may have lost their way can be immediately quashed with their brand new offering Gigi's Recovery. The follow up succeeds the pain and grief from their dark and abrasive debut, When I Have Fears, with a kaleidoscope of colour and melody whilst still retaining that intensity, honesty and beauty of the debut record.

Liam Fray / Rianne Downey - Manchester Ritz - 13th January 2023

To support the Greater Manchester Mayor's charity project A Bed Every Night that aims to help alleviate the homeless problem on the region's streets, Liam Fray headlined The Ritz with a one-off performance that included the whole of Courteeners' St Jude debut album as well as selected highlights from their back catalogue and a couple of covers. Support came from Glasgow's Rianne Downey.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Ist Ist - Something Has To Give

Ist Ist have today released Something Has To Give, the third single to be taken from their forthcoming album Protagonists, and its accompanying video. 

TRACK OF THE DAY : Sugarfungus - Feeling Forever

Canadian band Sugarfungus, whose debut EP Letting Go Moving Still was one of our favourite and most-played releases of 2022, return with a new single Feeling Forever, a song that explores the age old questions around finding happiness and fulfilment.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Slow Readers Club - Modernise

The Slow Readers Club have released Modernise, the opening track and second single to be taken from their forthcoming studio album Knowledge Freedom Power which is released on February 24th. 

Déjà Vega / Pray For Mojo / The Rafters - Darwen Sunbird Records - 30th December 2022

Déjà Vega closed out their most successful year to date where they finally released second album Personal Hell with a packed out show at Darwen's Sunbird Records supported by Pray For Mojo and The Rafters.