The Lucid Dream / The Boris Johnson Massacre - Manchester Soup Kitchen - 11th September 2015

It's been a stellar year for The Lucid Dream in the psyche circles where they're increasingly being perceived as the leaders of the pack. They played their last gig of 2015 before they retreat to record their third album in the claustrophobic surroundings of Manchester's Soup Kitchen supported by The Boris Johnson Massacre, an unholy combination of the city's demons Purple Heart Parade and Freakout Honey.

Reverend And The Makers - Mirrors Film Showing and Acoustic Gig - Abi's House - 10th September 2015

As part of the promotional campaign for their forthcoming album Mirrors, Jon McClure, frontman of Reverend And The Makers is doing a social media inspired tour of the country showing the accompanying film to the album that was filmed in Cuba as well as playing a few acoustic songs. Our friend Abi Richardson was lucky enough to convince him to come to her house in Timperley. Here's our report of the evening's events.

Déjà Vega Exclusive Live Recording - Chorlton Irish Club - 5th September 2015

Saturday night saw Déjà Vega play a short set at Kieran Fest at Chorlton Irish Club in aid of the fantastic Manchester charity 42nd Street that is doing incredible work supporting young people in Manchester and the surrounding areas who are under stress. The set was recorded from the audience to capture every bit of the atmosphere and we are proud to exclusively stream it here for you.

Track Of The Day : Cupids - Money

Money is a new track from Cupids, the band that formed with the dissolution of Even The Stars favourites Gramotones following their last performance at Festival No 6 at the weekend.

Kieran Fest 2015 - Liam Frost / Déjà Vega / Jo Rose / Denise Johnson / Nev Cottee - Chorlton Irish Club - 5th September 2015

Kieran Fest is an annual event set up by the parents of Kieran Crump Raiswell after they lost their son with the aim of raising funds for Manchester charity 42nd Street that offers support services to young people under stress. The second day of the festival included a concert at Chorlton Irish Club featuring a mix of local artists with all proceeds going towards the invaluable work that 42nd Street do for the young people of Manchester.

Johnny Sly / Minute Taker / Hertha - Salford Kings Arms - 3rd September 2015

The theatre room in Kings Arms in Salford was the beautiful intimate setting for Johnny Sly to reveal the five songs that make up their forthcoming EP and impress an attentive seated crowd. Support came from solo artist Minute Taker and duo Hertha / Hames.

James - Bingley Music Live - 4th September 2015

Entering the last weekend of their festival season, James had been invited back to headline the Friday night of Bingley Music Live by popular local demand. Their set featured a selection of their greatest hits as well as tracks from last year's La Petite Mort album and there was an unfamiliar face on guitar.

Freakout Honey / Control Of The Going - Manchester The Castle - 30th August 2015

Two of the best new bands in town joined forces for the opening acts of Astral Elevator 6, the latest instalment of what is becoming one of Manchester's best underground gig and club nights. We made our way to a packed Castle to catch up on two bands that can still count the number of shows they've done on their fingers.

The Slow Readers Club Announce New Single and Tour

Even The Stars favourites The Slow Readers Club have just announced news of a new single Plant The Seed and details of a UK tour to support the release.

Paris Angels - Eclipse

The long lost second album from acclaimed Manchester band Paris Angels is finally released, over 20 years after it was recorded as a free download from their Bandcamp page. Long term fan Stuart Ralston is suitably impressed.

The Vryll Society / The Watchmakers - Manchester Night And Day - 29th August 2015

Another month, another This Feeling night at the Night And Day in Manchester and this time they've paired up two of the most exciting bands in Liverpool and Manchester on the same bill. The Vryll Society, newly signed to groundbreaking hometown label Deltasonic, prove the substance to the growing buzz about them, whilst The Watchmakers, veterans in comparison, charm us with their hook-laden sunny take on psychedelic.

Ryley Walker / Nev Cottee - Manchester Soup Kitchen - 29th August 2015

Ryley Walker's return to Manchester, this time with a full band, was eagerly anticipated by those who witnessed his sold out solo show at Gullivers earlier in the year. He didn't disappoint with an intense set of songs, improvised in parts, that showed a rare unique talent. Support came from a seven-song stripped down set from Nev Cottee.

The Flaming Lips / Dutch Uncles - Edinburgh Ross Bandstand - 27th August 2015

The second night of Magners Live at the Ross Bandstand in Edinburgh witnessed a psychedelic mind-bending set by The Flaming Lips against the stunning backdrop of the castle and fireworks displays. Manchester's Dutch Uncles provided the support with tracks from this year's album Oh Shudder and selected tracks from their growing back catalogue.

Queen Kwong - Get A Witness

Get A Witness is the long-awaited debut album from Queen Kwong. Over eight tracks, Carré Calloway bears her heart and soul to the world on an album that's brimming with improvisational passion that refuses to play by any of the rules of the industry.

James - Edinburgh Ross Bandstand - 26th August 2015

James headlined the first night of Edinburgh's Magners Nights festival on the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens. In front of a boisterous crowd, James played a set mixed with some of their biggest hits, tracks from last year's La Petite Mort album and a few less well-known tracks from their back catalogue.

Track Of The Day : Daisy Victoria - Pain Of Dancers

Pain Of Dancers is the latest single by Daisy Victoria. It's a huge anthem track drenched in dramatic shades of 1980s pop but brought up to date by a shimmering glittery production. It'd feel equally at home on a dance floor as it would listening to at home or on the move.

Track Of The Day : Ryan Jarvis - Moving Far Too Fast

Moving Far Too Fast is the first new material from Ryan Jarvis for over two years. Released digitally this week with a re-recorded version of Outside This Town from his debut EP and a video and physical release to come in September, it showcases him with a band for the first time.

James - Hardwick Live - 22nd August 2015

The picturesque setting of Hardwick Hall was perfect for a day's music festival. Sunshine, beer, half-decent festival food and a relaxed atmosphere meant the afternoon was a pleasant experience until the sky went dark at seven and we were then treated to four hours of torrential rain that turned the site into a quagmire. At the end of all that James produced a headline set that banished any concerns of trench foot, made us ignore the water streaming down our backs and legs and the lightning and thunder in the sky above us.

James / The Sherlocks - Isle Of Man Villa Marina - 20th August 2015

Gigs on the Isle Of Man are a bit of a rarity. Added to the fact that this was James' only indoor full gig of the year as they record their new album in London, it's a new venue to add to our list and this was the place most likely to see new material revealed made this a must-see gig on their summer calendar. Things haven't quite panned out as planned though as guitarist Larry Gott is taking a break for this series of gigs with Adrian Oxaal, who played guitar in the band from 1997 to 2001, manfully stepping into the breach - which make this series of shows interesting for an entirely different reason. Support came from the up-and-coming Sheffield band The Sherlocks.

Lunar - Manchester Kraak Gallery - 18th August 2015

Tonight is Lunar's fourth ever gig, a warm-up for their now sold out in advance single launch at Manchester's Sound Control this weekend. Their set at the Kraak Gallery is beset by technical problems, but once things start working they show themselves to be a band continued to grow and develop with each show.

Track Of The Day : Strobegirl - Alice

Alice is the new single from South London singer-songwriter Strobegirl. She describes herself as electro/folktronica/indie/dreampop and that comes across in the single which is told around Alice In Wonderland referencing characters in the story.

Control Of The Going - Manchester The Yard - 9th August 2015

For a band only playing their second gig tonight Control Of The Going have got a bit of a buzz building around them, already having secured a support slot with local heroes Purple Heart Parade and an Academy 3 show in October. They're already onto their second release as well - the single Wild Flower following quickly on the heels of debut EP Epilepsy Bus Ride. We went along to The Yard to watch them overcome technical problems to impress again.

Mike Garry and Joe Duddell - Interview (St Anthony)

St Anthony is a poem written by Manchester's Mike Garry to commemorate the life of Tony Wilson who passed eight years ago this month after a battle with cancer. Mike has teamed up with celebrated composer Joe Duddell to produce a version of the poem that's set to music to help raise funds for The Christie where Tony was treated in his final days. We spoke to Mike and Joe about how the project got together and what they aim to achieve.

Frank Turner / PJ Bond - Manchester Night And Day - 10th August 2015

To celebrate the release of his new album Positive Songs For Negative People, Frank Turner is playing a series of solo shows in small venues. The Night And Day is fuller and warmer than we’ve ever seen it as he takes to the stage and treats a captivated audience to twenty-two songs over the course of half an hour. Support came from an excellent set by label mate PJ Bond.

Track Of The Day : Mike Garry and Joe Duddell - St Anthony : An Ode To Anthony H Wilson

St Anthony is a poem written by Manchester's Mike Garry to commemorate the life of Tony Wilson who passed eight years ago this month after a battle with cancer. Mike has teamed up with celebrated composer Joe Duddell to produce a version of the poem that's set to music to help raise funds for The Christie where Tony was treated in his final days.

Wendy And Lisa - Fruit At The Bottom (Special Edition)

Fruit At The Bottom was the second album by Prince protegees Wendy And Lisa released in 1989 following their self-titled debut. It saw them hit the top 40 singles chart with Satisfaction and cement themselves a solid fan base. It's being reissued with extra tracks as part of Cherry Red offshoot Cherry Pop's revisiting of lost 1980s and 1990s classics. It's probably twenty years since we last listened to it so it's with a sense of curiosity that we put the disc in.

Frank Turner - Positive Songs For Negative People

Frank Turner is an inspiration to any musician scraping around the toilet venues of the land that hard work, dedication and the ability to make a connection with people can take them from such humble surroundings to the festival stages and arenas of the country. He's back with an album Positive Songs For Negative People that is both sure to delight his already avid army of fans but appeal and reach more with his direct approach, lack of pretension and the uplifting mood of this album.

Liam McClair / Jordan Allen / Hugo Kensdale - Manchester Dry Barge - 8th August 2015

A gig on a barge is a wonderful idea and the next in a series of interesting venues for Liam McClair in the build up to the launch of his Honest EP in September. Whilst the industrial sites of Trafford Park might not make the best canalside viewing, our attention was held by Liam, Jordan and Hugo's brilliant sets in a very unique setting.

Introducing - Lunar

Our Way is the debut single by Manchester four-piece Lunar. Sam, Christie, Luke and Max may only have played two gigs so far, but their name is starting to create a buzz around town. The single is officially launched at Sound Control on 22 August, but we're proud to give it an exclusive first play as this week's tip on Shell Zenner's Amazing Radio show. We spoke to front man Sam Carson to find out more about the band.

Hidden Charms - Salford Eagle Inn - 6th August 2015

There's a renaissance of classic sixties-influenced airy dreamy psychedelia going on at the moment. Hidden Charms are one of the most excitedly talked about bands in this along the likes of Blossoms and The Vryll Society. We caught up with them at a sold-out headline show at Salford's Eagle Inn as they passed through on their road to bigger things.

Track Of The Day : Gold Jacks - Take It Back

Take It Back is the second single from Manchester's Gold Jacks. Following on in the vein of their debut One Kinda Woman. There's been plenty of talk about a resurrection of guitar music in the past year or so and the strength of this single is living proof that it isn't dead yet.

Control Of The Going - Wild Flower EP

Control Of The Going are one of our favourite new bands to emerge this year. Their debut EP Epilepsy Bus Ride was released a mere two months ago, but they're not resting on their laurels and have released a new EP Wild Flower. Even in such a short space of time since their debut, the lead track demonstrates just how quickly and how far they're progressing.

Badly Drawn Boy - Manchester Bridgewater Hall - 31st July 2015

It's fifteen long years since Badly Drawn Boy (Damon Gough) won the Mercury Music Prize with his debut album The Hour Of Bewilderbeast. After a couple of years off the scene, he's returned to play it in full ahead of a new album later in the year. We caught up with him at an emotional homecoming Manchester show that acted not just as a celebration of the album, but also as a form of personal catharsis.