Courteeners - Manchester Albert Hall - 16th February 2020

Courteeners completed a run of four intimate album launch shows for More. Again. Forever. on Sunday night in the intimate surroundings of Manchester's Albert Hall with a thirteen set song of fan favourites from across their career and a healthy selection of songs from their recent number two album.

Humanist - Humanist

Humanist is the eponymous self-titled debut album from one of my guitar heroes, and now producer, Rob Marshall. Inspired by the life and death of acclaimed singer-songwriter (he was much more than that) Gavin Clark it’s a heartfelt album that gets under your skin.

TRACK OF THE DAY : PINS - Hot Slick

Hot Slick is PINS' first single of the year, coming from a forthcoming album, their first in five years, that the slimmed-down trio of Faith, Lois and Kyogen are preparing for release. The track which has been in their live set for some time showcases the new dancefloor-inspired direction in contrast to their first two albums.

The Murder Capital / Unorthodox Coolock / VLURE - Glasgow QMU - 15th February 2020

The third night of The Murder Capital's UK tour saw them brave Storm Dennis and make their way to Glasgow and the Queen Margaret Union. VLURE stepped in at the last minute to replace Egyptian Blue and Unorthodox Coolock won over the Glasgow crowd with his own unique brand of street poetry.

The Murder Capital / Unorthodox Coolock - Manchester Academy 2 - 14th February 2020

The second night of The Murder Capital’s tour rolled into a sold-out Manchester Academy 2 on Friday night. The soulless room was made to feel like the most intimate small venue by a band exponentially upping their game.

Car Crash - Blindspots

Blindspots is the debut album by Irish post-punk band Car Crash. Across seven tracks social expectations, political and religious intransigence and conspiracy theorists all fall into their crosshairs and are dealt with a directness and honesty that society could do well by adopting.

TRACK OF THE DAY 2 : Working Men's Club - White Rooms & People

White Rooms & People is the third single from Working Men's Club and their first with their new four-piece line up. Set to an unsettling video which is interspersed with Syd singing and with producer Ross Orton in tow, the single is set to widen their appeal still further and provides a marker in the sand for their forthcoming debut album.

The Murder Capital / Egyptian Blue / Unorthodox Coolock - Leeds Irish Centre - 13th February 2020

The Murder Capital opened their sold-out UK tour with their biggest headline show to date here at Leeds Irish Centre on Thursday night supported by Egyptian Blue and Unorthodox Coolock. A sold-out crowd were enthralled for forty-five minutes by tracks taken from their When I Have Fears album and an exhilarating performance from the Irish five-piece.

TRACKS OF THE DAY : Honey Gentry - Valentine / Ghosts Of Lovers Past

Honey Gentry releases the appropriately-titled double A-side Valentine / Ghosts Of Lovers Past today, two evocative songs that intimately explore the inner workings of the mind when faced with relationships and which showcase an expressive voice that accentuates the details and draws you in.

TRACK OF THE DAY 3 : The Blinders - Circle Song

The Blinders return with a new single Circle Song, the first track to be taken from their second album Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath that is due for release on May 8 with some low-key UK dates announced to coincide.

Fever - Interview

Fever might only be two singles into their career as a band but they've already picked up significant attention from the likes of This Feeling and both singles have been released via Blossoms' Very Clever Records label. We caught up with Joe for a chat as they prepare to go out on the road in March to support their label bosses on their UK tour.

TRACK OF THE DAY 2 : Nicole Atkins - Captain

Nicole Atkins returns with Captain, the lead track from her forthcoming fifth album Italian Ice that is scheduled for release on April 17. The country-tinged single features Britt Daniels of Spoon on backing vocals, but as ever it's Nicole's vocals that take centre stage.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Clockworks - Stranded In Stansted

Stranded In Stansted is the second single to be released by Galway four-piece The Clockworks since signing to Creation 23 last year. It tells the story of missing a flight home after a gig and the observations they make of people travelling on holiday at one of Britain's worst airports.

TRACK OF THE DAY 2 : Lanterns On The Lake - When It All Comes True

Lanterns On The Lake have revealed When It All Comes True, the third single and opening track from their forthcoming album Spook The Herd and the follow-up to their 6 Music playlisted singles Every Atom and Baddies. Accompanying the single release is a live performance video recorded at Blast Studios in Newcastle.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Iris Kymm - Wya

Wya is a track taken from Iris Kymm's new EP Message. The Seattle-based singer-songwriter describes herself as a "Soul / Pop / Jazz / Contemporary R&B artist" and Wya and the other tracks from the EP showcase all these elements to her voice.

Blossoms / Lloyd Griffith - Stockport Plaza - 11th February 2020

Blossoms made a triumphant homecoming to Stockport with their second number one album Foolish Loving Spaces in the bag for the first of two nights playing the album in full in the town where most of the songs that made it up were born. The evening started with a Super 8 film recorded by front man Tom Ogden documenting the writing and recording of the album and an hilarious twenty minute set from comedian and friend of the band Lloyd Griffith.

TRACK OF THE DAY 2 : Turnstiles - Tantrum

Following the release of two breathtaking singles in September 2019 (Moving Forward and Wasting Away) the young Galway based 5 piece Turnstiles release new single Tantrum.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Cayley Thomas - Blue Jean Baby

Blue Jean Baby is the second single to be taken from Cayley Thomas's forthcoming debut album How Else Can I Tell You? due for release on May 1st. It's set to a video that deals with the song's subject of putting others before yourself when you need to look after yourself first.

October Drift - Manchester Yes - 10th February 2020.

October Drift brought their Forever Whatever tour to Manchester's Yes on Monday night, performing the album in full plus two older tracks with a passion and power that's made for rooms many times the size of the Pink Room.

Shadow Show - Silhouettes

Silhouettes is the debut album from Detroit three-piece who describe themselves as a "power trio of mysterious hue." Across ten tracks they take the underground garage vibe that their city is renowned for and twist and turn it into something that feels both true to those roots as well as remarkably fresh and modern.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Lottery Winners - 21

The Lottery Winners have revealed their movie-style video for their latest single 21, taken from their  long-awaited self-titled debut album that comes out on March 13th ahead of their biggest headline tour and hometown show at Manchester Ritz on April 11.

The Clockworks / Rosellas - Manchester Peer Hat - 7th February 2020

Galway's The Clockworks are recently signed to Alan McGee's Creation 23 label and have been hotly tipped by people in the know back in Ireland, so the opportunity to catch them in the intimate surroundings of Manchester's Peer Hat on Friday night was one too good to miss. Opening the night were Manchester's own Rosellas.

TRACK OF THE DAY 2 : Ist Ist - You're Mine

Ist Ist have today revealed You're Mine, the second track to be taken from their forthcoming debut Architecture accompanied by a stark black and white live performance video that captures the essence of both the song and the band.

TRACK OF THE DAY 1 : Fuzzy Sun - Pretty People

Fuzzy Sun have released a double A-side single Pretty People / Gentleman's Touch to coincide with the announcement of their biggest headline shows to date in May.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Black Casino And The Ghost - How Was The World?

How Was The World? is the first single to be taken from Black Casino And The Ghost's third album Farewell Marshal Brunswick, due for release on March 1st. Clocking in at just one minute thirty-six seconds, it features eerie haunting vocals from Elisa set against an apocalyptic backdrop that casts the sound of impending doom.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Lindsay Munroe - Mirror

Mirror is the lead track from Lindsay Monroe's forthcoming EP Our Heaviness set for release in May to coincide with her two biggest headline shows to date.

Blossoms / Julia Bardo - Manchester Ritz - 4th February 2020

Blossoms' non-stop promo campaign for their third album Foolish Loving Spaces rolled into Manchester's Ritz for an intimate launch show that mixed tracks from the album with old favourites, revealing their expanded live set-up and delighting an audience of young and old fans alike.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Nadine Shah - Ladies For Babies (Goats For Love)

Nadine Shah returns with a new single Ladies For Babies (Goats For Love), the first track to be taken from her forthcoming album Kitchen Sink, the follow-up to 2018's acclaimed Holiday Destination.

The Lucid Dream - Todmorden Golden Lion - 1st February 2020

When the Carlisle four piece The Lucid Dream announced a special one off gig at Todmorden's legendary Golden Lion last autumn, all tickets were snapped up in just a few hours. Stuart Ralston was ecstatic to get a ticket. The band didn't disappoint, playing a psych-rock-acid-house-fused set, complete with new material from the eagerly awaited fifth album.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Déjà Vega - Who We Are

Déjà Vega open up 2020 with a new single Who We Are from their forthcoming second album that comes hot on the heels of their sold-out self-titled debut ahead of headline dates at the end of this month including a Manchester Deaf Institute show that sold out almost immediately.

Georgie - Manchester Castle Hotel - 2nd February 2020

Georgie came to The Castle Hotel on Sunday night for a rare solo headline show treating the audience to a seventeen-song set of songs played on guitar and piano, mixing new material with tracks from her recent Georgie Live! album.

Geneva / China Bears - Brighton Komedia - 1st February 2020

Geneva opened up their short three-date UK tour with a packed-out show at Brighton's Komedia on Saturday night. Avoiding the route of many of their 1990s contemporaries they carved a path through many of the lesser-known corners of their back catalogue to a delighted set of dedicated fans who had travelled from far and wide. Support came from China Bears.

Squirrel Flower - Brighton Resident Records - 31st January 2020

To celebrate release day of her debut album I Was Born Swimming, Squirrel Flower, aka Ella Williams, played an intimate in-store show at Brighton's Resident Records. We called by to catch a stripped-down show.

October Drift - Interview

October Drift today release their long-awaited debut album Forever Whatever. We caught up with them for a chat about the journey they've been on as a band, the difficult decisions in selecting which songs to put on the record and plans now the record is out there in the world.

Ist Ist - Salford Sacred Trinity - 30th January 2020

There's a wave building behind Ist Ist right now. High-profile support slots and international festival invitations at the end of 2019 have flowed into the announcement of their debut album Architecture earlier this week and tonight they've filled out Salford Sacred Trinity with just 48 hours notice and effectively by the word of mouth of their social media. Revealing songs from Architecture mixed in with old favourites, it felt like a moment, the point you know a band is about to go up a level in all respects and get the success they deserve.

The Howl And The Hum / Bull / Amy May Ellis - Hebden Bridge Trades Club - 29th January 2020

The Howl And The Hum played Hebden Bridge Trades Club on Wednesday night as the finest independent venue in the country (in our Editor's humble opinion) played host to one of the most exciting emerging bands around supported by Bull and Amy May Ellis.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Thousand Yard Stare - Schism Algorithm

Even The Stars favourites Thousand Yard Stare start the new year off with a sparkling new single, Schism Algorithm and the promise of a new album The Panglossian Momentum later in 2020.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Julia Bardo - I Wanna Feel Love

Julia Bardo has revealed I Wanna Feel Love, her second single and her first since signing to Wichita as well as being the lead track from her debut EP Phase that is due out on March 6th. The track possesses the same timeless feel to it as her debut single Desire whilst referencing her Italian heritage at the same time.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Odd Morris - Cold Water

Odd Morris are one of a plethora of bands emerging from the fertile Dublin scene at present, but like the others are following their own path. Hot on the heels of their first two singles What Might Be and Lilac Leaves comes their first release of 2020 entitled Cold Water.

The Seamonsters / Dollie Demi / Ruby Joy - Manchester Night People - 28th January 2020

The Seamonsters headlined a fundraising and awareness event for Solidarity Not Silence, a campaign set up to fund women to defend themselves against a defamation case made by a well-known musician in respond to numerous accusations about his behaviour towards them. Support came from Manchester's Dollie Demi and Ruby Joy.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Ist Ist - Wolves

Ist Ist have today announced their debut album Architecture and revealed the opening track Wolves as well as a UK tour in May and a secret show at Salford Sacred Trinity this Thursday.

The Murder Capital / Junior Brother - Prague Underdogs - 26th January 2020

The Murder Capital's European tour headed into Prague on Sunday night for a sold-out show at the Underdogs venue supported by Junior Brother. An initially hesitant Prague crowd were won over by the sheer intensity of the band's performance despite a few technical problems.

Geneva - Interview

Following a couple of low-key reunion shows last Spring and a series of Starshaped Festival performances in the summer and the reissue of their Further and Weather Underground albums late last year, Geneva head out on their first short headline tour of the century in Brighton, London and Glasgow at the weekend. We caught up with front man Andrew Montgomery for a chat about how the reunion is going.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Badly Drawn Boy - Is This A Dream?

Is This A Dream? is Badly Drawn Boy's first new material since 2012's Being Flynn soundtrack album. With his immediately recognisable voice and ability to craft lyrics drenched in equal parts in romance and world-weariness, Is This A Dream? has a streak of optimism and hope running through it if those you love stick together.

The Murder Capital - Munich Strom - 25th January 2020

The second night of The Murder Capital’s European tour saw them hit Munich’s Strom on Saturday night for an adrenaline-fuelled set of tracks taken from their When I Have Fears album.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Velvet Two Stripes - Lizard Queen

Velvet Stripes have released a new video for their single Lizard Queen taken from last year's second album Devil Dance as the Swiss trio kick off an extensive tour of Germany in February.

TRACK OF THE DAY 2 : The Slow Readers Club - All I Hear

All I Hear is the first single to be taken from The Slow Readers Club's forthcoming fourth album The Joy Of The Return due out on March 20th with a thirty-date UK and European tour to follow. It's full of the trademark anthemic qualities that they've become renowned for and showcases the band at their confident best as they attempt to replicate the surprise Top 20 success of their previous album Build A Tower.

Smoke Fairies - Darkness Brings The Wonder Home

Darkness Brings The Wonder Home is Smoke Fairies' sixth album, their first since 2014's self-titled fourth album and their Christmas-themed Wild Winter records. It's an evocative descriptive record to mark their comeback, bringing guitars very much to the fore to act as the counterpoint to the often mysterious and dark lyrics that run throughout.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Porridge Radio - Sweet

Sweet is the second track to be taken from London four-piece Porridge Radio's forthcoming second album Every Bad released on March 13 shortly followed by a UK tour.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Neon Waltz - Thanks For Everything

Neon Waltz return with their first release of 2020, a single called Thanks For Everything, which will be taken from their Huna EP that will be released on vinyl, download and streaming on 27th March to coincide with a ten-date UK tour.