LIINES - Interview

LIINES play three headline shows this week in London, Nottingham and Manchester in support of their new single On And On, their first release since their debut album Stop - Start, as they finish a thirty-two date tour across the UK with Sleaford Mods. We caught up with Zoe, Leila and Tamsin to talk about the tour, the response to the new single and their future plans.

Woman You Stole / Rews / Phoebe Green / Narrow Margin / Matter Of Mind / Lynchs - Manchester Dot To Dot - 24th May 2019

Friday night saw Dot To Dot Festival hit Manchester.  With venues across the city from the Ritz and Albert Hall to old-school favourites like The Castle and Gullivers in the Northern Quarter, the festival showcases up-and-coming bands both nationally and locally. We stayed around the smaller venues to catch Lynchs, Matter Of Mind, Narrow Margin, Phoebe Green, Rews and Woman You Stole.

The Longcut / Purple Heart Parade - Manchester Soup Kitchen - 18th May 2019

Two of Manchester's most adored and respected joined forces at Soup Kitchen on Saturday night, creating some gloriously uplifting sounds. Stuart Ralston was there.

The Slow Readers Club / Aggressive Swans - Munich Milla - 20th May 2019

The Slow Readers Club played the penultimate night of their debut European tour to a packed room in the intimate Milla venue in Munich supported by local band Aggressive Swans. A set that covered all three albums as well as a potential future single was very well-received by a receptive crowd that reacted more as the night went on to the energy coming from the stage.

The Twilight Sad / Kathryn Joseph - Brooklyn Elsewhere Hall - 11th May 2019

Travelling half-way across the world to watch your favourite band is a sign of being a hardcore fan. Jason Wynne reports back from the second of his two nights on the East Coast of the USA watching The Twilight Sad.

TRACK OF THE DAY : LIINES - On And On

On And On is already a live favourite for LIINES and regularly opens their set. This Friday they release it as the first new material since their debut album Stop / Start that came out just over a year ago. It keeps the same targeted anger and rawness as the album, but feels like they're moving their sound forward with their revised line-up and the confidence that comes with the big shows they've just done supporting Sleaford Mods.

Us - Interview

A singer from a late 90s band that got lumped in with the Britpop phenomenon and a Swedish producer and director may not seem like the most obvious musical companions, but Us's debut album First Contact shows that we shouldn't jump to such hasty conclusions. We caught up with the singer, Geneva's Andrew Montgomery, for a chat about how Us came into being, their writing processes and the way in which they present their art.

The Twilight Sad / Kathryn Joseph - Philadelphia The Foundry - 10th May 2019

The Twilight Sad kicked off their US & Canadian tour at the Foundry in Philadelphia in fine style with a spellbinding, emotional performance that will remain long in the head and heart of those present. Coupled with a stunning, haunting support from the beautiful, inside and out, Kathryn Joseph we experienced a rollercoaster of a ride on the first night.

Red Rum Club / October Drift / Cleargreen - Manchester Bread Shed - 11th May 2019

Red Rum Club's huge UK tour in support of their debut album Matador rumbled into Manchester on Saturday night at The Bread Shed for a celebratory show accompanied by tour supports October Drift and closer to home Cleargreen.

The Mysterines / Tinfoils / Velvet Shakes - Manchester Night People - 8th May 2019

The Mysterines brought their tour in support of latest single Gasoline to Night People on Wednesday night for a hot and sweaty nine-song thirty-minute adrenaline rush of some of the most thrilling rock music being made by anyone today, supported by the blissful tones of Velvet Shakes and the angry post-punk of Tinfoils.

Booth And The Bad Angel - Booth And The Bad Angel

Back in 1996, Tim Booth of James and celebrated composer Angelo Badalamenti released a collaborative album called Booth And The Bad Angel with Bernard Butler playing guitar and producing much of the record. Twenty-three years on, the album is released on vinyl for the first time on Friday via Demon Music. We take a look back at a record that got lost in the mire of record label politics and overshadowed by James' late-1990s resurgence.

Wildwood Kin / Ferris & Sylvester - Manchester Academy 3 - 6th May 2019

The Bob Harris-curated Under The Apple Tree tour rolled into Manchester Academy 3 for its penultimate leg on Monday night. Headlined by Wildwood Kin, revealing new material from their forthcoming second album as well as crowd favourites from their 2017 debut Turning Tides. Tour support came from the intriguing duo Ferris & Sylvester.

The Murder Capital / Egyptian Blue - Manchester Soup Kitchen - 3rd May 2019

The Murder Capital headlined Soup Kitchen in Manchester on Friday night, one of the most intense forty-five minutes we've had the fortune to experience, a band that lives their songs and who connect through words and performance to emotionally compelling effect. Support came from Egyptian Blue.

SPINN - Manchester HMV - 3rd May 2019

SPINN launched their self-titled debut album with an early evening six-song in-store set at Manchester's HMV.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Joanna Sternberg - This Is Not Who I Want To Be

Joanna Sternberg's debut single This Is Not Who I Want To Be is an exciting introduction to her forthcoming debut album Then I Try Some More. Found via a random tweet extolling its virtues, the rare sort that make you have to listen to the song, it more than lived up to the excitement in those two hundred and eighty characters.

MarthaGunn / Cosmo Calling - Manchester Soup Kitchen - 1st May 2019

MarthaGunn's first headline tour rolled into Manchester on Wednesday night. A ten-song set of psychedelic-tinged rock including recent single Saint Cecilia and a surprise stripped-down Ohio as highlights delighted an enthusiastic Manchester crowd. Support came from Cosmo Calling.

Jack Wakeman / Tom Kay - Manchester Gullivers Lounge - 28th April 2019

The intimate surroundings of Gullivers' downstairs lounge provided the perfect setting for two talented solo performers on Sunday night as Hull's Tom Kay and Manchester's own Jack Wakeman shared the stage in front of a respectful crowd that was there to listen and appreciate the music rather than the sound of their own voices.

The Blinders / The Ninth Wave / Working Men's Club - Manchester The Ritz - 27th April 2019

The Blinders' biggest headline show to date in their adopted home of Manchester on Saturday night proved to be their biggest triumph so far with a magnificently staged set, tracks from their debut album Columbia and an exciting signpost to where they're going next with some rapturously received new material. Topping off the night were support slots from two of the most highly-tipped bands around - The Ninth Wave and Working Men's Club.

Cabbage / Heavy Rapids - Manchester Deaf Institute - 26th April 2019

With the release of their debut album proper Nihilistic Glamour Shots behind him, Cabbage are regrouping and refocusing as they prepare the follow-up. They recently announced a low-key tour and we caught up with the third night of that tour at a raucous sold-out Deaf Institute in Manchester for a set of old favourites and an insight into their new direction.

Mammoth Penguins - There's No Fight We Can't Both Win

Cambridgeshire power pop trio Mammoth Penguins return with their third long player, There's No Fight We Can't Both Win. Stuart Ralston has a listen to an album from a band that continues to progress their sound without losing sight of their roots.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Hannah Scott - Walk A Wire

Hannah Scott returns with Walk A Wire, her first new material since last year's Pieces Of The Night album. The song is inspired by a friend suffering from a disability that led her to close herself away from people, but asks her (and others) to open up and take a chance rather than hide away and miss out on life experiences.

TRACK OF THE DAY 2 : Ride - Future Love

Ride return with a new single Future Love and the announcement of their sixth album, and second since their reformation, This Is Not A Safe Place due for release in August. Future Love manages to both recreate the euphoric optimism Ride's glorious Going Blank Again past whilst sounding fresh and reinvigorated in a way many reformed bands struggle to do close to three decades after their first commercial peak.

Vera Sola / Elle Mary And The Bad Men - Manchester Castle Hotel - 23rd April 2019

Vera Sola's European tour rolled into the sauna-like conditions of Manchester's Castle Hotel on Tuesday night for a dramatic set made up of tracks from last year's Shades album as well as a raft of new songs, supported by Elle Mary And The Bad Men.

TRACK OF THE DAY 1 : The Mysterines - Gasoline

Gasoline is The Mysterines' third single, released ahead of their debut UK headline tour that kicks off next week. Clocking in at just two minutes and sixteen seconds with a ferocious energy and anger running through it, it's a fighting antidote to the bland image-led "bangers" that are being sold to the masses as cutting edge.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Social Contract - Hoist Their Heads

Hot on the heels of their Common Tongue single, South London four-piece Social Contract return today with a new single Hoist Their Heads, a politically and socially charged song that avoids the usual platitudes and calls to arms and instead focuses on calling out inequalities and obsession with stories rather than human impacts.

Anteros / RedFaces / Good Future - Manchester Gorilla - 17th April 2019

Anteros brought their Where We Land tour to Manchester Gorilla on Wednesday night with the intent to entertain and make a point and they succeeded wholly in doing both. Support came from Sheffield's RedFaces and Good Future, another band hopping off the 192 from Stockport to try their luck in the big city down the road.

The Blinders - Interview

Ahead of their biggest ever shows headlining The Ritz in Manchester and Scala in London, we caught up with The Blinders to discuss their recent trip to America, their commitment to combining visual elements to their music, the recording process for their second album and what's influencing them in that process.

Dirty Laces - Manchester Vinyl Revival - 13th April 2019

Dirty Laces took to the pavement outside Vinyl Revival in Manchester for a traffic-stopping five-song set to celebrate Record Store Day in front of a mix of friends and family, record shoppers, bemused passers-by and irate drivers.

Matter Of Mind / Jekyll / Elephant Trees - Manchester Star And Garter - 12th April 2019

Matter Of Mind celebrated the release of their new single Sunken Revelations with a packed show at Manchester's Star And Garter on Friday night supported by Jekyll and Elephant Trees. A high-energy performance full of crowd participation showed that they're just a break away from reaching a much wider audience.

Fontaines D.C. - Leeds Brudenell Social Club - 12th April 2019 (Evening)

There’s an air of anticipation as Irish post-punk rockers Fontaines D.C. roll into town for the second of their seven date sold out UK tour supporting the release of red hot new album Dogrel. This evening’s show coincides with the actual release date of the album and there’s no better place to celebrate it than at the award winning Brudenell Social Club on the outskirts of Leeds.

Dub Sex - Interview

Thirty-three years since their formation, Dub Sex are about to release a compilation of EP tracks, rarities and radio sessions entitled Search For The Right Words. We caught up with front man Mark Hoyle for a chat about the band's history, why they're still here more than three decades later and their plans for the future of Dub Sex.

TRACK OF THE DAY : MarthaGunn - Saint Cecilia

Saint Cecilia is the debut single from MarthaGunn, a band that appeared in our top four tips for 2018 having seen them live at the tail end of 2017 and then they promptly never released anything the whole year. Their first offering is more than worth the wait though.

Fontaines D.C. - Leeds Brudenell Social Club - 12th April 2019 (Matinee)

The band of the moment Fontaines D.C. rolled into town with a swagger as they celebrated the release of their superb debut album Dogrel by performing a special matinee performance which included a stunning short, sharp, shock of six songs. Jason Wynne made his way across the Pennines for the first of a double helping.

The Slow Readers Club / Liam Frost - Manchester Gorilla - 11th April 2019

The Slow Readers Club made a triumphant return home on Thursday night from their gruelling thirty-two date tour around the UK with a sold out in minutes show at Manchester Gorilla. Covering all bases from their career so far they raced through a twenty-song set in front of an adoring audience that never once stopped bouncing. Support came from Liam Frost with songs from his recent Latchkey Kid album and an old favourite.

Matter Of Mind - Interview

Matter Of Mind returned recently with a new single Sunken Revelations and on Friday they headline the Star And Garter in Manchester. We caught up with front man Jordan for a chat about their recent debut nationwide tour, the single and plans for the future.

Ian Prowse - Here I Lie

Here I Lie is Ian Prowse's third solo album, following on from 2014's Who Loves Ya Baby? and 2015's Companeros after a couple of decades with celebrated indie underdogs Pele and Amsterdam. Across eleven songs, he releases his first new record for four years - an exploration of themes that delve into the personal as well as the social and political fabric of his line of sight.

Fontaines D.C. - Dogrel

The burning question is are Fontaines D.C. the most important band out there right now? They represent a number of exciting new bands from across the Irish Sea producing great new music and they are at the forefront of an exciting new scene. Jason Wynne takes a closer look at their highly anticipated debut Dogrel.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Coby Fletcher - Power Never Changes

Power Never Changes is the debut single from Coby Fletcher, a face and voice you might recognise if you're familiar with the Manchester music scene. He's striking out under his own name now and Julia Grantham takes a listen to his first offering.

Dave Fidler / Camilla Sky / Joe McAdam - Salford Eagle Inn - 5th April 2019

Dave Fidler launched his second album Songs From Aurora with a sold-out six-piece band set in the intimate surroundings of Salford's Eagle Inn, playing the album in full as well as a few favourites from his debut. Support came from a rare set by Joe McAdam and Camilla Sky.

Dollie Demi / Nadia Sheikh - Manchester Jimmy's - 6th April 2019

Dollie Demi and Nadia Sheikh headlined the latest This Feeling club night at Jimmy's in Manchester. Two very different bands provided an interesting contrast in style, one rock and roll, the other a melee of garage, pop, punk and all manner of influences but united in their ability to grab the audience's attention.

Dub Sex - Search For The Right Words

Formed in Hulme in the mid 80's and splitting in 1990, Dub Sex have long been in contention for the title of Manchester's greatest cult band. Following shows in 2014, including gigs with friends Inspiral Carpets, it was clear there was still much love for a band who played shows with their contemporaries Happy Mondays and The Stone Roses back in the late eighties. 2019 sees the issue of the definitive Dub Sex compilation and some live shows to accompany the release. Stuart Ralston takes a nostalgic look back.

The Slow Readers Club / Bridges - St Albans The Horn - 3rd April 2019

As the Slow Readers Club entered their final leg of their 32 date UK nationwide tour, Ed Smith caught up with them at the smallest show of the tour in the intimate surroundings of The Horn in St Albans.

LIINES - Chester Live Rooms - 4th April 2019

LIINES have been on the road with Sleaford Mods for a few weeks now and we caught up with them opening the night at Chester's Live Rooms venue on Thursday night. A breathless half-hour set saw them rattle through tracks from their debut Stop / Start album as well as play a number of new songs that show them moving forward as a band without losing the essence that makes them magic.

TRACK BY TRACK : Dave Fidler - Songs From Aurora

As he releases his second album Songs From Aurora to the world, Dave Fidler talked us through the album's twelve tracks, the stories behind them and the experiences that inspired him as an accompaniment to the record you can hear in full below and on his Bandcamp page.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Charlie Soul - Obsessed

Obsessed is the debut single from Charlie Soul, the first fruits of twelve months of writing. Accompanied by a video that captures the mood of the song, it tells of the inability to forget at the end of a relationship.

Mano McLaughlin - Then Lightning

Then Lightning is Mano McLaughlin's long-awaited second album, the follow-up to 2013's Peach Got Bones and demonstrates why many of his contemporaries rate him as one of the best singer-songwriters around despite the lack of recognition he's had from the industry over the past few years. Then Lightning might not change that, because things aren't as simple as great music automatically getting the acclaim it deserves, but it's a record that will disarm and charm anyone fortunate enough to cross its path.

Dave Fidler - Songs From Aurora

Dave Fidler’s second solo album Songs From Aurora is a significant progression from his debut I’m Not Here. Eschewing the reel-to-reel recording methods and stripped-back solo approach of the debut for something deeper, richer and more varied in tone, it’s a record that sees him blossoming out, discovering himself musically and delivering a record that is set to charm anyone lucky enough to cross its path.