Blackthorn Festival - 26th July 2014 - Reverend And The Makers, The Tapestry, Puppet Rebellion, The Slow Readers Club

Even The Stars made the short trip from Manchester to the suburbs of Stockport for Blackthorn Festival.  Headlined by Reverend And The Makers, the Saturday night also featured a selection of our favourite local bands in a great setting and a contrast to the big rip-off corporate festivals.

Introducing : Prelow

Sometimes you discover music by happy accident.  We hit upon Prelow because their latest song Mistakes Like This came up after a song we'd searched for on Soundcloud.  We immediately wanted to find out more, only to discover they've been quite secretive to date.

Reverend And The Makers - Interview

The renaissance of Reverend and the Makers has been one of the most deserved success stories of the past few years.  Hard-working, hard-gigging and hard-talking their way past corporate bullshit, they've bulldozed into the charts and into the hearts of young and old music fans alike with their no-nonsense no-thrills in-your-face albums @Reverend_Makers and Thirty Two and ecstatic live shows where the audience bounces from start to finish.  Even The Stars spoke to The Reverend himself, aka Jon McClure, ahead of their headline slot at this weekend's Blackthorn Festival.

James - Festival Mares Vivas, Vila Nova da Gaia - 18th July 2014

There's a line in Sometimes, James' most famous song in Portugal, that finishes "endless rain, endless rain" and despite that throughout their two hour set, 25,000 James fans sang and danced their way through an exhilarating, if slightly wet, night.

Introducing - Summer Can't Fall Asleep

Zhongshan, China is a place you've probably never heard of, let alone know anything about.  It's home to a wonderful new band called Summer Can't Fall Asleep. We've had a copy of their debut EP called ZZZ sent to us via Hong Kong and we're rather excited by them and are delighted to present them to the western world.

Gulp - Season Sun

There's a bit of a Sonic Cathedral love-in going on at the moment at Even The Stars.  With Season Sun, Gulp have produced the perfect summer record, full of psychedelic sixties harmonies, tinged with electronica, ideal for relaxing on these hot balmy evenings.

Courteeners - London 100 Club - 15th July 2014

It's not often you get the opportunity to watch one of Britain's biggest bands in a 200 capacity venue so we couldn't miss Courteeners at the 100 Club in London exclusively revealing five tracks from their forthcoming album Concrete Love and a bunch of crowd-pleasing favourites.

The Bedroom Hour - Manchester Night And Day - 12th July 2014

Uxbridge 5 piece The Bedroom Hour make the trip north to launch their debut LP at Manchester's legendary Night and Day. Stuart Ralston joined their army of fans for the show.

Honeyblood - Honeyblood

Guitar and drums two-piece Honeyblood finally released their self-titled debut album this week.  It's a joyous mix of infectious hooks and stories of love and hate.  They manage that unique trick of wearing its influences loud and proud but having a definitive identity of their own.

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.