TRACK OF THE DAY : Wax-Tree-Cast - She

Wax-Tree-Cast release She, their first single of 2023, a tragic tale of a disabled younger sister being abused by an older sibling who's meant to be looking after her, a thought-provoking track with a twist.

Ist Ist - Protagonists

Ist Ist return with Protagonists, their third in three years, looking to capitalise on the chart successes of its predecessors and a raft of sold out dates across the UK and Europe. A linear progression from the previous albums, it's their strongest yet and a powerful statement from a band supremely confident in its own skin and direction.

Inspiral Carpets - Newcastle Boiler Shop - 24th March 2023

No one ever said it was going to be easy. When a good friend messaged me last autumn with the news that Inspiral Carpets would be touring this year, it came as a lovely surprise. It was unexpected, but welcome news and the prospect of seeing my favourite band again helped sustain me through a long winter. 

Self Esteem - Manchester Albert Hall - 23rd March 2023

Since the release of her Mercury Prize-nominated second album, Prioritise Pleasure, things have been nonstop for Rebecca Lucy Taylor (AKA Self Esteem). Having spent the majority of 2021 impressing on the live music and festival circuit, with career defining sets at Tramlines and Glastonbury, fan demand recently saw the Sheffield born singer-songwriter add a run of extra dates to her ’I Tour This All The Time’ tour – including a third night at Manchester’s Albert Hall, which made her the first artist not only to play, but to sell out three nights at the picturesque venue.

TRACK OF THE DAY : SKIES - Answer Now

SKIES return with their new single Answer Now, previewed at recent shows and the first taster of their debut album Is It All In Our Heads? that will come out later this year. 

Inspiral Carpets / Déjà Vega - Northampton Roadmender - 23rd March 2023

Inspiral Carpets made their return to the live stage after seven and a half years to promote their recent The Complete Singles collection. More importantly it was their first gig since losing drummer Craig Gill and they paid a fitting tribute to their friend.

TRACK OF THE DAY : James - She's A Star (Orchestral Version)

James have today announced full details of their Be Opened By The Wonderful - 40 Years Orchestrated album and revealed the first track to be taken from it, a version of their 1997 Top 10 single She's A Star. The album, recorded with Joe Duddell and a twenty-two piece orchestra and eight-person choir, includes twenty tracks from across their career including a brand new song Love Make A Fool and is released on June 9th after James complete a fifteen-date UK tour with orchestra and choir.

Brand New Legs / The Redroom / The Basement Collective - Manchester Night And Day - 21st March 2023

Brand New Legs launched their new EP Basement View with a packed out show at Manchester's Night And Day Cafe on Tuesday night, playing the EP in full, early singles, some unreleased material and a couple of showstopping covers. Support came from the equally impressive The Redroom and The Basement Collective.

The Strangerz / Diekaidie / Horse Mouth - Manchester Castle Hotel - 19th March 2023

The Strangerz celebrated the release of their new single Hit The Ground with a packed out show at The Castle on Sunday night, debuting new songs and confirming their position as the most exciting new band in town. Support came from Diekaidie and Horse Mouth.

SKIES / Daisy Valentine - Manchester 33 Oldham Street - 18th March 2023

SKIES returned to Manchester for the first time in over a year for a sold out headline show at 33 Oldham Street, giving us a teasing first view of their forthcoming debut album as well as delighting the crowd with a set rammed full of old favourites. Support came from a solo slot from Daisy Valentine.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Strangerz - Hit The Ground

 

Hit The Ground is the third single from Manchester via Doncaster punk quarter The Strangerz. Describing themselves as "alternative, shouty feminist and punky with a modern twist", the single deals in the relatable urge to lie in bed and never move again.

The Slow Readers Club / Andrew Cushin - Manchester Albert Hall - 17th March 2023

The Slow Readers Club finished off their UK tour in support of their sixth album Knowledge Freedom Power with a sold-out hometown show at Manchester's Albert Hall, their first big Manchester show for three years. Playing a career-spanning set they reminded the city why they're one of the most important bands to emerge from here in recent times as an adoring audience hung on every word and note for an hour and a half.

Inspiral Carpets - The Complete Singles

To accompany their massive tour Inspiral Carpets release the most definitive and complete collection of their singles on a remastered double vinyl album and a 3 CD set with a whole host of classic and new remixes.

Lauren Ruth Ward / NXDIA - Manchester The Yard - 11th March 2023

Lauren Ruth Ward opened up her European tour on Saturday night at The Yard in Manchester. With a set split in two - the first half solo, the second accompanied by guitarist Lisa - she delighted a crowd that hung on every word of her deeply personal songs. Support came from an acoustic set by NXDIA.

Suede / Desperate Journalist - Manchester Albert Hall - 9th March 2023

Suede brought their sold out tour in support of last year's inspirational Autofiction album to Manchester Albert Hall on Thursday night. Mixing most of the album with both some of their biggest hits and some deep b-side cuts from their illustrious past they delighted an enthusiastic and euphoric crowd who hung on Brett Anderson's every word and move. Support came from Desperate Journalist.

The Slow Readers Club - Glasgow SWG3 / Aberdeen Lemon Tree - 6th/7th March 2023

In support of exceptional new album Knowledge Freedom Power, Manchester’s The Slow Readers Club visited Scotland earlier in the week for a double header, turning cold nights into massed celebrations. Stuart Ralston braved the snow and cold to report back from Glasgow and Aberdeen.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Ist Ist - Nothing More Nothing Less

As they jet off to Austin for their debut visit to SXSW, Ist Ist have today released Nothing More Nothing Less, the fourth single and the final one to be taken from their third album Protagonists ahead of its release on March 31st. To coincide with this, they've also announced two outstore shows in Leeds and Kingston in release week to accompany their biggest ever headline show at Manchester Ritz on release day.

Déjà Vega - Interview

Ahead of their UK tour that kicks off this Friday at the Brudenell in Leeds we caught up with Déjà Vega for a chat about their recent first international show, venues they're looking forward to playing at, touring with Inspiral Carpets and plans for album three.

The Slow Readers Club / Andrew Cushin - Leeds Stylus - 4th March 2023

The Slow Readers Club opened up their UK tour in support of their Top 30 album Knowledge Freedom Power with a packed out show at Stylus in Leeds on Saturday night. Mixing tracks from the new record with favourites from across their extensive back catalogue they delighted a crowd made up of a mix of Readers veterans and new fans. Support came from Newcastle's charismatic Andrew Cushin, serving his apprenticeship before he headlines venues of this size and bigger in the not too distant future.

Black Doldrums / Hey Bulldog / slab - Manchester Gullivers - 3rd March 2023

Friday night saw Black Doldrums open up their UK and European tour with a Deco Records night at Gullivers in the Northern Quarter in Manchester. A strong three artist line-up kept the audience entertained throughout with three excellent yet very different in their own way bands.

Inspiral Carpets - Interview

Inspiral Carpets are back after an eight year hiatus following the tragic death of drummer Craig Gill to promote a career-spanning The Complete Singles collection with a series of dates across the UK, Australia and New Zealand including a full festival season. We caught up with organ player Clint Boon for a chat about how the comeback came together, finding a replacement for Craig and excitement at pulling together a new full career retrospective with both front men.