Friday 11 October 2024

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Slow Readers Club - Technofear


The Slow Readers Club return with their first new material since last year's Knowledge Freedom Power album in the shape of Technofear. The single is taken from their forthcoming album Out Of A Dream and sees the band on fine form, pushing their anthemic sound for which they're known to new areas without losing their core appeal.

Thursday 3 October 2024

Ist Ist / Cucamaras - Hebden Bridge Trades Club - 2nd October 2024

Ist Ist opened their UK and European tour in support of their top 30 album Light A Bigger Fire with an intimate opening night sell out at Hebden Bridge Trades Club. Playing the album in full as well as a selection of big-hitters from their first three albums, they confirmed their burgeoning reputation as one of the most powerful independent bands around. Support came from Nottingham's Cucamaras.

Monday 30 September 2024

Tom Hingley / Harrison Rimmer - Manchester Castle Hotel - 27th September 2024

Tom Hingley launched his The Grand Mal album with an intimate set at The Castle Hotel in Manchester on Friday night. Performing the album in full with a band in tow he demonstrated that whilst fame and fortune might not last forever songwriting talent does with one of the finest collections of songs of his career to date. Support came from Harrison Rimmer.

Monday 23 September 2024

Ist Ist - Bury The Met - 22nd September 2024


Ist Ist continued their launch week activities for their fourth studio album Light A Bigger Fire with an intimate out-store show in conjunction with Wax And Beans at Bury Met. Performing the album in full and in order they bring the record to glorious technicolour light and dispose finally of some of the comparisons they've had hung around their necks.

Jack Jones - Jack Jones

Trampolene frontman Jack Jones released his eponymous debut solo album on Friday. Julia Grantham took a listen and concludes that perhaps every adult needs a Jack Jones song to guide them along the path of life.

Thursday 19 September 2024

Tom Hingley - The Grand Mal

Tom Hingley returns with his first new material since last year’s Decades album, delivering another beautifully heartfelt collection of songs and his first ever solo vinyl album (other formats are available too!).

Wednesday 18 September 2024

Venus Grrrls / Queen Cult - Manchester Soup - 14th September 2024

Venus Grrrls brought their UK tour to an end with a packed out show at Manchester's Soup on Saturday night supported by Macclesfield's Queen Cult. 

Monday 9 September 2024

IST IST : Light A Bigger Fire


Light A Bigger Fire is Ist Ist's fourth album, the follow-up to their top 50 album Protagonists. It is a bold statement of intent, both in its title and the ten songs contained in its thirty-four minutes, a thrilling modern rock record that sets its stall out from the very start and follows through on every promise it makes.

Saturday 7 September 2024

VLURE - Manchester Deaf Institute - 4th September 2024

VLURE returned to Manchester for the first time in a year to the Deaf Institute to deliver a high-energy set that mixed old favourites with some sparkling new songs to a euphoric crowd.

Monday 2 September 2024

The Beaches / Chloe Slater - Manchester New Century - 1st September 2024


The Beaches made a return to Manchester for the first time in eleven years on Sunday night. No longer high street kids they come back a fully-fledged impressive rock and roll band with a word-of-mouth hit album Blame My Ex and its lead single Blame Brett meaning they're now a millions-streaming unit that sold out New Century Hall weeks in advance. Over the course of seventy five minutes they have an adoring crowd hanging on every word and hook line to songs from Blame My Ex and their earlier records.

Monday 26 August 2024

Blossoms / Inhaler / Shed Seven - Wythenshawe Park - 25th August 2024


Blossoms performed their biggest ever headline show on Sunday night as twenty five thousand people trekked from all corners of Greater Manchester and further afield to Wythenshawe Park to witness the band confirm their status as a band that can headline festivals and remind us of the depth of their back catalogue crammed full of the very best indie pop around.

Tuesday 13 August 2024

Inspiral Carpets - Alloa Town Hall - 10th August 2024


After three triumphant nights at Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom back in spring, Inspiral Carpets returned to Scotland last week for two headline shows. Stuart Ralston went home for a few days, stocked up on vegan square sausage, and caught the band in blistering form.

Monday 29 July 2024

Ist Ist / Indoor Pets / The Covasettes / Phoebe Green - Sheffield Network - 27th July 2024



Close to Sheffield station there's a hoarding that proclaims Sheffield as "Music City" and of course there's a Pulp song that makes the same claim. Other cities might dispute that, but for one weekend Sheffield becomes unarguably the focus. With Tramlines Festival taking over Hillsborough Park with tens of thousands flocking to the three day festival, whilst its roots in the city at Devonshire Green and the surrounding streets as a free festival have been taken over by the Tramlines Fringe where hundreds of artists keep with the original spirit of the festival and play for free.  

Monday 8 July 2024

James / Johnny Marr / Inspiral Carpets - Lytham Festival - 7th July 2024

James headed to the seaside on Sunday night with Orca 22 orchestra and the Manchester Inspirational Voices Gospel Choir in tow to headline the final night of Lytham Festival supported by Johnny Marr, Inspiral Carpets, The Magic Numbers and The Kairos.

Sunday 30 June 2024

Puressence / Concrete Club / Purple Heart Parade - 29th June 2024


Ten years since their last show Puressence made a triumphant unexpected return on Saturday night with a sold out show at Manchester's Albert Hall. Possibly the most anticipated gig of the year saw the hometown heroes surpass even the most excitable expectations with a career spanning set that reminded everyone why they fell in love with them over the course of a decade and a half and left the question unanswered as to why they weren't much much bigger than they were.

Wednesday 26 June 2024

Placebo - Halifax Piece Hall - 25th June 2024


As the cycle of their last album Never Let Me Go draws to a close, Placebo opened their UK and European dates with an outdoor show in the resplendent surroundings of Halifax’s Piece Hall.

Thursday 20 June 2024

Charm Of Finches / Mia Kelly - Salford The Kings Arms - 19th June 2024


Australian sister duo Charm Of Finches returned to Salford for their third headline show in the Greater Manchester area in a couple of years as part of their extensive UK tour to promote their fourth album Marlinchen In The Snow. They delighted a sold out crowd in the intimate surroundings of The Kings Arms’ upstairs theatre supported by Quebec singer-songwriter Mia Kelly.

Sunday 16 June 2024

James - London O2 Arena - 15th June 2024

James finished their biggest ever UK arena tour with their first ever show at London’s O2 Arena, making the capital’s largest indoor gig space feel intimate with a mix of their greatest hits and tracks from their number one album Yummy.

Saturday 15 June 2024

James - Manchester CO-OP Live - 14th June 2024

James played their biggest ever sold out UK show at Manchester’s newest venue Coop Live on Friday night. Mixing tracks from their number one album Yummy with most of their biggest hits they demonstrated that you can still live and thrive as a band without simply playing the nostalgia card. 

Friday 14 June 2024

TRACK OF THE DAY : Ist Ist - Repercussions


Ist Ist today release Repercussions, the third single to be taken from their forthcoming album Build A Bigger Fire out on September 20th. A powerful track that's already become a live favourite, it deals with the desire to express yourself without fear of consequences. It comes with the announcement of an extensive UK and EU tour visiting countries they've never played as well as a statement headline show in the main room of the Paradiso in Amsterdam.

Thursday 13 June 2024

James - Birmingham Utilita Arena - 12th June 2024

James’ UK tour in support of their number one album Yummy headed to Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on Wednesday night. The most spontaneous and thrilling show so far, imperfectly perfect, delighted a West Midlands crowd with a rich mix of the familiar and not so familar.

Wednesday 12 June 2024

James / Razorlight - Cardiff Utilita Arena - 11th June 2024


After a two-day break James returned to the stage on their Yummy tour in Cardiff's Utilita Arena on Tuesday night with a set still heavy on their recent number one album, a few unexpected twists and turns and with an energy and vitality that resonated with an appreciative Welsh crowd so early in the working week. Support came from an impressive forty-five minute set by Razorlight.

Monday 10 June 2024

Scattered Ashes - All That Is Solid Melts Into Air EP

Recorded in December 2023 at the iconic Darklands Audio studio in Dublin, Scattered Ashes deliver a near perfect EP in All That Is Solid Melts Into Air. The Dan Doherty produced recording showcases the Dublin/Mayo (London based) quartet for what they are and their darker more sinister approach sets them apart from many of their contemporaries. Like many of the bands that release on Galway based Blowtorch Records they are a band of distinction with a bright future ahead of them despite the dark undertones prevalent in many of their songs.

Sunday 9 June 2024

James - Leeds First Direct Arena - 8th June 2024

James’ tour in support of their number one album Yummy rolled into Leeds First Direct Arena on Saturday night. A set of eight tracks taken from the record was mixed with most of their biggest singles and a couple of old friends.

Saturday 8 June 2024

James - Glasgow OVO Hydro - 7th June 2024

James brought their tour to support their number one album to the cavernous space of Glasgow’s Hydro and 12,000 hungry excited Glaswegians. Capturing the mood of the night perfectly with both the performance and setlist they mixed the new and old in just the right measure to get an ecstatic response.

Friday 7 June 2024

TRACK OF THE DAY : LIINES - Holding On

LIINES return with their first new material in two years with the previously unheard Holding On. 

Thursday 6 June 2024

James - Newcastle Utilita Arena - 5th June 2024

 

James continued their UK tour in support of number one album Yummy with their first show in over twenty years at Newcastle's Utilita Arena. Mixing many of their biggest anthems from their 1990s commercial peak with their current number one album Yummy and with Tim Booth getting up close and personal with the audience, they turned an old soulless arena into an intimate space.

Tuesday 4 June 2024

James / Razorlight - Aberdeen P&J Live - 3rd June 2024

James opened their UK arena tour in the North East of Scotland with their first ever visit to the P&J Live arena and their first visit to the city since 2008. Playing a predictably varied set of songs taken from their recent number one album Yummy as well as dipping in and out of forty years plus of hits and with beautiful accompanying visuals and crystal clear sound, they presented a new record they're justifiably proud of in detail alongside some more familiar songs. Support came from Razorlight.

Monday 3 June 2024

The Lovely Eggs / Violet Malice / Loose Articles - Manchester New Century - 1st June 2024

The Lovely Eggs brought their ten-date tour to promote their new album Eggsistentialism to a close with a fast and furious show at New Century Hall in Manchester on Saturday night supported by Violet Malice and Loose Articles.

Sunday 2 June 2024

Dantzic / Sugartung - Manchester Castle Hotel - 30th May 2024

Dantzic and Sugartung, two of Manchester’s newest and most incendiary bands join forces for a sold out show at The Castle Hotel on Oldham Street.

Tuesday 28 May 2024

Bodega / Model/Actriz / Panic Shack / Déjà Vega - Manchester Band On The Wall - 27th May 2024


Bank Holiday Monday saw the second part of Now Wave's mini-festival Bad Dreams at Band On The Wall. Headlined by Bodega, with support from Model/Actriz, Panic Shack, Déjà Vega and DEAF DEAF DEAF, the event deserved a far better turnout than the one that attended as the artists provided a varied and exciting set of performances across from late afternoon into the evening.

Monday 27 May 2024

Inspiral Carpets / Stanleys - Chester The Live Rooms - 25th May 2024

Inspiral Carpets continued their run of intimate live shows around their summer festival appearances with a sold-out show at a hot and sweaty Live Rooms in Chester supported by Stanleys.

Friday 3 May 2024

Rachel Chinouriri - Manchester Academy 3 - 2nd May 2024


Rachel Chinouriri celebrated the imminent launch of her debut album What A Devastating Turn Of Events with an intimate stripped down show at Manchester Academy 3 on Thursday night performing seven songs and answering questions about her career and the record in front of an enthusiastic crowd of her "darlings."

Friday 26 April 2024

TRACK OF THE DAY : Ist Ist - The Kiss


Ist Ist today release their second single of the year and announce their fourth album Light A Bigger Fire for release on September 20th.  Accompanied by a live performance video shot across their four sold-out Dutch shows in March, the song is a bold statement of intent from the band ahead of attempting to better the top 50 chart position of last year's Protagonists.

Thursday 25 April 2024

October Drift - Hebden Bridge Trades Club - 24th April 2024


October Drift’s tour in support of their new single Blame The Young, the first fruits of their forthcoming third album, called in at a sold-out Trades Club in Hebden Bridge on Wednesday night.

Wednesday 24 April 2024

Hey Bulldog / The Lotts - Manchester Rose And Monkey - 23rd April 2024


Hey Bulldog and The Lotts were the latest in a series of bands to play The Rose And Monkey's regular Tuesday night £5 Tuesdays event supported by funding from The Arts Council. Two very different bands struck a chord with different sections of the audience in an intimate showcase of what each band are capable of.

Monday 22 April 2024

English Teacher - Manchester Soup - 22nd April 2024


English Teacher concluded their record store / out store tour in support of their Top 10 album This Could Be Texas with a pared down set in the basement of Soup in Manchester in association with Leeds' Crash Records. Performing tracks from the album alongside a brand new song which was an impromptu addition to the setlist, they charmed a packed crowd as well as impressing with the way they adapted the songs to a less full-on performance.

LIINES / Hungry - Manchester Gorilla - 20th April 2024


Saturday night saw LIINES and Hungry, two very different bands but with a common hit them hard philosophy, take to the stage at Gorilla in support of House Of All to impress a packed crowd.

Sunday 21 April 2024

Personal Trainer - Manchester Academy 3 - 20th April 2024

Personal Trainer headlined a sold out sauna-like Academy 3 in Manchester on Saturday night as the 6 Music favourites delivered an upbeat set taken from their debut album Big Love Blanket as well as singles and new material.

Ist Ist / Aerial Salad / Dog Sport - Liverpool Arts Club - 19th April 2024

Ist Ist headed to Liverpool for the penultimate show of their UK and European tour, filling out the loft of the Arts Club supported by Salford upstarts Aerial Salad and local support Dog Sport. Performing tracks from their forthcoming fourth album as well as their three albums to date they reinforced the growing belief that anything that stops their rise is going to come from outside the band's control.

Friday 19 April 2024

Johnny Marr / Gaz Coombes - Nottingham Rock City - 14th April 2024

Johnny Marr has just wrapped up a ten-date tour in support of Spirit Power - a compilation album commemorating a decade since he embarked on his solo career. The tour saw the guitar legend perform at iconic venues across the UK, including Hammersmith Apollo and Glasgow Barrowlands, before culminating at Nottingham’s Rock City. Johnny's career has been interwoven with a multitude of musicians since its inception and he often embarks on tours with them. For his ‘Spirit Power’ tour, he was joined by Supergrass frontman and solo artist, Gaz Coombes.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Vice Vera - Tourist


Tourist is the debut single by Vice Vera, the alter ego of Tamsin Middleton, who'll be known to followers of the Manchester music scene from her days leading Mr Heart as well as being part of both ILL and LIINES. 

Thursday 11 April 2024

James - Yummy

James release their 18th studio album on Friday. Graham McPhail, aka TimBoothLyrics on social media, takes a critical look at the twelve tracks that make up one of the strongest records of their career to date.

Thursday 4 April 2024

James - Pudding

James release their eighteenth studio album Yummy on April 12th. The deluxe edition features another twelve tracks, collectively known as Pudding, which feature outtakes and demos and jams from the sessions. Even in their mostly unfinished state they provide a fascinating insight into the band’s songwriting methods that’s often talked about but rarely made public.

Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future

At only thirty-two and with her main output heading up the prolific Big Thief, Adrianne Lenker has just released her fifth solo album Bright Future. Julia Grantham takes us with her on her own voyage of discovery.

Sunday 31 March 2024

Easter - Manchester Star And Garter - 29th March 2024

Easter launched their album Facsimile Of A Dream on Good Friday appropriately at The Star And Garter. Against a sombre backdrop of the venue's landlord passing away earlier in the day, they delivered a three quarters of an hour set of tracks from the album and their previous work.

Friday 29 March 2024

Greater Manchester Music Commission / The Mill / Night And Day


As a member of the Greater Manchester Music Commission, I've been made aware of an article circulating on The Mill behind a paywall that makes accusations and statements about the Commission and its activity, particularly around the Night And Day debacle. The article has a number of factual inaccuracies and deals with subjects that I feel strongly about to the extent that I feel compelled to give my own personal opinion on this.  These do not represent the views of the wider Commission, even though some members may agree with what I'm about to write

Monday 25 March 2024

Ist Ist / October Drift - Hilversum De Vorstin - 24th March 2024

Ist Ist continued their triumphant European tour, starting the homebound journey at De Vorstin, an impressive and imposing venue in the small sleepy town of Hilversum to a five hundred strong crowd on a Sunday night. Support came from the ever energetic October Drift.

Tuesday 19 March 2024

Inspiral Carpets - Stockport AMP - 18th March 2024

Inspiral Carpets played their smallest show in decades on Monday night with a packed out show at AMP in Stockport as part of its Town Of Culture celebrations. With a set full of most of their back catalogue of hits the intimate hot and sweaty gig was a real throwback to their roots as a garage band that grew up on stages of this size before fame came their way.

Friday 15 March 2024

Happy Mondays / Inspiral Carpets / Stereo MCs - Glasgow Barrowland - 14th March 2024

When Happy Mondays and Inspiral Carpets announced their tour last year, tickets for the shows were in high demand with some venues selling out instantly, resulting in no fewer than three Glasgow shows. Tonight was the first of those sell out shows. Stuart Ralston ventured home for the evening.