Liam Frost / Badly Drawn Boy - Manchester Roadhouse - 12th July 2014

Tonight's gig was to celebrate the life of Roadhouse co-owner Steve Lloyd who passed away with cancer earlier this year and to raise funds for the Christie Hospital in Manchester.  We caught the top two bands on the bill - Liam Frost and Badly Drawn Boy.

Pixies - Manchester Castlefields - 10th July 2014

We caught indie legends Pixies run through a set of classics and tracks from their comeback album Indie Cindy on a hot summer Manchester evening.

James / Blossoms - Manchester Castlefield Bowl - 11th July 2014

8,000 tickets for this show sold in under half an hour, proof of the pulling power James still have in their hometown.  On a fine summer's evening James delivered a set covering the whole thirty years of their career from early Factory singles to songs from their latest and greatest La Petite Mort.  We were also given a glimpse of Manchester's future with an excellent opening set from Blossoms.

The Vacant Lots - Glasgow ABC - 5th July 2014

At the end of the week that sees the release of their debut LP, Departure,on the Sonic Cathedral label, Stuart Ralston visited his home town to catch up with The Vacant Lots.

PINS - Manchester Gorilla - 3rd July 2014

PINS are at that difficult point in a band's career, where their first album has been out a while, they've been playing those songs constantly to an audience that knows and loves them for a couple of years.  It's time for change though, to introduce new material and see how it's received.  They should have no such worries on the basis of tonight.

Hey Manchester Announce Two-Day Festival In Ancoats Churches

We're a little excited by the announcement from Hey Manchester of a two-day festival at Halle St Peters and St Michael's Church in Ancoats, Manchester as we'll have time to nip home between bands.  The line-up for the event on 16-17 August features The Travelling Band headlining on the Saturday and Jesca Hoop on the Sunday as well as a number of favourites we've written about previously.

The Tea Street Band - The Tea Street Band

It's been a long four-year wait for Liverpool's The Tea Street Band's debut album.  And it's well worth it.  They take that much-maligned and oft-mocked "indie-dance" genre and redefine it with a genuinely exciting and thrilling record.

The Reveurs / My Igloo / Sophia Ben Yousef - Manchester Night And Day - 26th June 2014

Legendary Mancunian label Ugly Man, who released records by luminaries such as The Man From Del Monte and early I Am Kloot singles, are making a comeback, starting with a series of live gigs under the monicker Uglyman Reborn.  We caught The Reveurs, our favourite new band My Igloo and Sophia Ben Yousef at the Night And Day in Manchester.

Mary Joanna & The Southern Electrikk - Manchester The Castle Hotel - 7th June 2014

We introduced Mary Joanna & The Southern Electrikk a few weeks ago.  Our good friend and photographic genius Elspeth Mary Moore caught their recent gig at The Castle Hotel in Manchester.

Introducing - Andrew Montgomery

It's been a long time coming, but Andrew Montgomery, formerly singer with 90's indie heroes Geneva and latterly Amityville and St Famous, is back with After The Storm, the first track from his debut solo album, Ruled By Dreams, due for release on October 5th.

She Makes War - Manchester The Lawn Club - 23rd June 2014

She Makes War is a one woman wrecking ball.  A heady mix of electric guitar, acoustic ukulele, loop pedals, megaphones, xylophone, cymbals and alarm clock.  It shouldn't work, but it does brilliantly.

Bird / Hartheim - Salford First Chop Brewing Arm - 21st June 2014

Bird are one of Liverpool's best kept secrets, but about to take on the world with their wonderful debut album, My Fear And Me.  They're supported by Manchester's Hartheim, very much a mystery in their own right.

Puppet Rebellion / The Backhanders / Moscow / No Hot Ashes - Manchester Deaf Institute - 21st June 2014

Four of the North-West's hottest new bands joined forces to sell out the Deaf Institute on Saturday night.  Headlined by Puppet Rebellion, the night showcased a wide range of new talent waiting to be discovered.

Introducing - Gospel

Gospel's incredible debut single Disasters Running Wild hits you with a wave of layered vocals over a menacing electronic beat.  It's one of the most exciting first releases of the year.

The Courteeners Announce New Album - Concrete Love

In a surprise announcement, The Courteeners have revealed the release of a new album Concrete Love on August 18th.

The Vacant Lots - Departure

US duo The Vacant Lots release their debut album Departure on Sonic Cathedral on June 30th.  Our reviewer Stuart Ralston discovered them, and their label, by happy accident and can't put the record down.

Catfish And The Bottlemen Announce Debut Album The Balcony

Even The Stars favourites Catfish And The Bottlemen have announced the release of their debut album, The Balcony, on September 15th.

Natalie McCool / Literature Thieves - Manchester Castle Hotel - 17th June 2014

A sweltering Tuesday night in Manchester saw The Castle playing host to two great acts on a double headliner bill.   Natalie McCool was launching her new single and Literature Thieves were playing their first gig since recording their debut album.

Introducing - The Backhanders

There's an underground buzz around Manchester now about The Backhanders with Terry Christian championing their first demo and the release of their debut single Campfire / Down By The River.  Ahead of their support slot with Puppet Rebellion this weekend, Stuart Ralston checks them out.

Manchester Charity Amnesty Event This Friday featuring The Magic Numbers, Chris Flynn and Colorama

This Friday sees a Manchester Amnesty fundraiser featuring Michele Stodart from the Magic Numbers, Carwyn Ellis of Colorama, The Lonesome And Penniless Cowboys, Cavan Moran, Chris Flynn and poet Kieren King.

Introducing - Nina Baker

It's always a delight when you discover an artist or band unintentionally.  We caught the second half of Nina Baker supporting Little Sparrow at Chorlton Arts Festival.  We left with a cd, the best recommendation you can give an artist you'd not seen before.

Inspiral Carpets Announce New Album Tracklisting

Inspiral Carpets have announced details of their forthcoming self-titled debut album, their first since reforming with original vocalist Stephen Holt and featuring John Cooper Clarke on one track.

Introducing - Trampolene

Trampolene are one of the most exciting new bands on the live circuit at the moment. High energy, low fuss rock and roll music with little frills and plenty of thrills.  We delve a little deeper to tell you a bit more about one of our favourite discoveries of the last twelve months.

Musée Mécanique Announce New Album - From Shores Of Sleep

We have a soft spot for Musée Mécanique.  Their 2010 debut Hold This Ghost was one of our favourite albums of the year.  They've now announced a Kickstarter program for their follow-up From Shores Of Sleep, due in August 2014.

Tom Vek - Luck - album review

It's been three years since Tom Vek's second album Leisure Seizure, but he's back with his new album Luck.  It's his most commercial offering to date, but still has those twists and turns that make the multi-instrumentalist an enthralling and intriguing proposition.

Danny Mahon - Manchester Band On The Wall - 6th June 2014

We missed the start of Danny Mahon's set supporting Inspiral Carpets last week, but our good friend Stuart Ralston had made the trip down and caught the whole set.  He's impressed by Danny's lyricism and tales of his home town.

Inspiral Carpets - Manchester Band On The Wall - 6th June 2014

Fresh from recording their forthcoming self-titled album, Inspiral Carpets played their first gig of the year at XFM's First Friday night at Manchester's Band On The Wall.  Even The Stars joined four hundred other punters for a hot sweaty night of hits, back catalogue gems and new songs.

Badly Drawn Boy and Liam Frost Team Up For Christies Charity Gig

Badly Drawn Boy and Liam Frost have teamed up for a charity show with all proceeds going to Manchester's Christies Hospital.  The show takes place at The Roadhouse on Saturday 12th July.

My Igloo - Manchester Retro Bar - 2nd June 2014

My Igloo are a new band born partly out of the break-up of Manchester favourites Frazer King.  They've been together six months. This is their second gig.  They're rather good.  Even The Stars went to Manchester basement bar Retro to see them.

Introducing - Mary Joanna & The Southern Electrikk

There's been a buzz building around Manchester about Mary Joanna & The Southern Electrikk despite them being able to count the number of gigs they've done on one hand.  They've just released their first recorded material, a great track called Wasted, which justifies the hype they're generating.

Tom Hingley Band - Dunfermline PJ Molloys - 30th May 2014

Former Inspiral Carpets vocalist, and regular visitor to Fife on his non-stop solo acoustic tour, Tom Hingley brings his new band to Scotland for the first time. Stuart Ralston visited PJ Molloys in Dunfermline and was impressed with both the set up and the band.

Candy Says - Not Kings - album review

Candy Says are a unique proposition.  They have a manifesto which starts with the following :

"We’re not even pretenders to the throne. We meet, and we dream. And then we try and work out how to stitch and play and scribble and beat our dreams into things that can be seen and touched and heard. We dare to dream of better times. Of times that are less obsessed with money, with image, with things that simply – when all is stripped away – do not matter."

They also have a rather fantastic debut album Not Kings that's one of our favourites of the year.

Paris Angels Release New Single - Shake

Ahead of the release of their second album Eclipse over twenty years after its creation, Manchester 90s heroes Paris Angels have released a new single Shake.

Ren Harvieu / Bird To Beast - Hebden Bridge Trades Club 29th May 2014

It's been a long time since Ren Harvieu's last solo show.   We went along to her low-key comeback show at Hebden Bridge Trades Club and were treated to one of the finest voices in modern music as well as a treat in the shape of the delightful Bird To Beast.

The Slow Readers Club - Manchester Roadhouse - 17th May 2014

Rounding off their tour in style with a headline gig at The Roadhouse, our good friend Stuart Ralston made the trip down from Scotland again to catch up with one of Manchester's finest.

James - London Camden Electric Ballroom - 28th May 2014

Une petite naissance pour la petite mort.  James unveiled their majestic new album in an intimate sweaty sold-out show at London’s Electric Ballroom last night.  We were there to see the premiere of the new songs and some old favourites.

James - La Petite Mort - album review

La Petite Mort is James’ 13^th studio album.  For a band that’s been dismissed by the media so many times, it’s a miracle that they’re still here.  Even more so when you listen to La Petite Mort and it has all that fire still burning in its belly that characterised their very earliest work.  And this time the flames have reached your face and are meeting you head on.

Even The Stars

The inspiration for the title of the blog is this song. First played as far back as 2007 and featuring on the DVD of their Moolah Rouge album in 2008, it was finally recorded for the Let It All In album released in 2013.

 

The wonderful John Bramwell is out on a solo tour at present. All details can be found at his website. The tour is the only place you can buy the Live At The Trades cd, recorded live at a legendary show in Hebden Bridge on a hot day last summer.

Little Sparrow : Wishing Tree album review

Little Sparrow

Wishing Tree

CD / Download

out now

Once in a while you find an artist that stops you in your tracks with the sheer beauty of their art and makes you wonder why they don’t have a much greater audience than they do. Little Sparrow is such an example, fighting her way through the mud of singer/songwriters with band that seem to be clogging up gig schedules around the country at present.

Little Sparrow interview

Little Sparrow, aka Katie Ware, has slowly but surely been building a dedicated following in Manchester with her stunning voice and beautifully crafted songs. We spoke to her before her two sold out launch shows for her album Wishing Tree to find out a little more.

Gramotones Release Debut EP - Interview

Gramotones have been building quite a buzz around Manchester for a couple of years now, fuelled by infrequent gigs and a love of harmonies that stands them out from the crowd of wannabes wanting to imitate their modfather heroes. The ironic result of this was an invitation from Paul Weller, who described Daltry Street as one of his favourite tracks of 2013, to record their debut EP at his Blackbarn Studios.

Stefan Melbourne - The Way We Fall EP

Stefan Melbourne - The Way We Fall EP

DL / CD

Out Now

It's nearly two years since Stefan Melbourne's debut EP Before The Sun Sets.  He's back with his second EP, The Way We Fall, released this week and it's been well worth the long wait.

Puppet Rebellion - Interview

There's a huge buzz in Manchester around Puppet Rebellion.  On the eve of the release of their second EP No Means Yes, we met with frontman Simon Monaghan and guitarist Craig Gibson to talk about the EP, how they got together, their precise songwriting process and their support for domestic abuse charities. 

NO - El Prado - album review

NO - El Prado (Arts And Crafts)

CD / Download / Vinyl (released April) 

Released 18th February 

It seems a long time since NO's excellent Don't Worry You'll Be Here Forever EP, released late in 2011, and a follow-up single What's Your Name, but as El Prado clearly demonstrates it's been time well spent perfecting their debut album El Prado.

Reverend And The Makers - 32 - album review

Reverend And The Makers - Thirty Two (Cooking Vinyl)

CD / Vinyl / Download / Pledge

Due out 24th February

Reverend And The Makers were one of the surprises of 2012. Dismissed by the press and radio as a one-album wonder and front man Jon McClure often ridiculed for his outspoken views and his interaction with fans, their @Reverend_Makers album was an unexpected success and they sold out venues across the country.

Findlay - Manchester Band On The Wall - 7th February 2014

Findlay

Manchester Band On The Wall

7th February 2014

Findlay returns back home to Manchester and charms a packed Band On The Wall.

High Hazels / The Orielles - Sheffield Shakespeare - 28th December 2013

High Hazels / The Orielles

Sheffield Shakespeare

28th December 2013

It's been quite a year for new Sheffield band High Hazels, releasing their debut single, Hearts Are Breaking, getting some serious blog coverage and playing their first gigs in London.  To finish off the year before recording an EP early next year, they played their Christmas party at their local The Shakespeare with support from the unfeasibly young The Orielles.

The Slow Readers Club - Heaton Chapel Blue Cat Cafe - 22nd December 2013

The Slow Readers Club

Heaton Chapel Blue Cat Cafe

22nd December 2013

Sometimes there's a band that you look at and listen to and wonder why they haven't quite made the next step up.   The Slow Readers Club are one such band.  We went to catch them play a low-key pre-Christmas gig at the Blue Cat Cafe and try to explain the mystery.

Mark Morriss - Interview

Since the last hurrah of The Bluetones in September 2011, Mark Morriss has been ploughing a new career as a solo artist.  His second album, A Flash Of Darkness, was first released earlier this year exclusively on Pledge Music and will be getting a full release on Acid Jazz early next year.  Ahead of that, he releases a single This Is The Lie (And That’s The Truth) today.  We caught up with him before his recent show at Manchester’s Tiger Lounge to talk about life as a solo artist.