October Drift / China Bears / BÖHMEN - Manchester Deaf Institute - 29th March 2022

October Drift headed to Manchester for the latest show on their rearranged UK tour on Tuesday night accompanied by a depleted in numbers China Bears and new kids on the block BÖHMEN for a high quality evening of three bands at different stages in their evolution as bands but who each win over the packed out crowd.

As The Cro Cro Flies (Loose Articles / Queen Cult / Bugeye / The Red Stains / I, Doris) - Manchester Retro - 27th March 2022

Cro Cro Land, the London-based festival, headed North on Sunday for what was billed as "a day of explosive punk, rock and indie bands celebrating female and non-binary musicians" under the As The Cro Cro Flies banner in the basement of Retro. Headlined by Loose Articles, the line-up also featured a mix of local and out-of-town bands - I, Doris and Bugeye making their Manchester debuts as well as Macclesfield's Queen Cult and Manchester's adopted The Red Stains.

The Be Positives / The Big Peach - Salford Kings Arms - 26th March 2022

The Be Positives and The Big Peach brought the second night of their combined tour to the intimate upstairs theatre of the Kings Arms in Salford on Saturday night for a sold-out show.

Dream Wife / Lucia And The Best Boys / Chemtrails - Manchester Gorilla - 25th March 2022

Dream Wife made a long-awaited return to Manchester on Friday night with a sold-out show at Gorilla supported by Lucia And The Best Boys and Chemtrails. A high-energy hour-long set saw them draw from both their albums and reveal some impressive new material whilst spreading their empowering message and having the time of their lives at the same time.

talker - In Awe Of Insignificance EP

In Awe Of Insignificance, talker's third EP, is more a mini-album than an EP as the Los Angeles-based artist spreads her wings and delivers a series of songs that deal with the pressures of modern day living and its impact on mental health. Raw and revelatory in lyrical content, it explores a number of musical styles from the dancefloor to a simpler stripped down approach.

Yumi Zouma / Freak Slug - Manchester Yes - 19th March 2022

With their fourth album Present Tense being released on Friday, New Zealand four-piece Yumi Zouma brought the album and its predecessor Truth Or Consequences to Manchester for the first time and turned the night into a communal celebration of a band that's sailed under most radars for far too long. Support came from Manchester's own Freak Slug.

Madame Claude / 25th Hour / Stone Mile - Manchester Gullivers - 18th March 2022

Without having a release to their name Madame Claude are causing a bit of a stir in Manchester with their own unique reggae-influenced songs that have had crowds dancing and singing along. We caught their first headline show at a sold-out Gullivers on Friday night supported by the contrasting styles of 25th Hour and Stone Mile.

Nilüfer Yanya / Léa Sen - Manchester Band On The Wall - 14th March 2022

Nilüfer Yanya brought her recently released second album Painless to a sold-out Band On The Wall on Monday night supported by Léa Sen.

Gang Of Youths / Charlie Collins / Tom A Smith - Manchester Albert Hall - 13th March 2022

Gang Of Youths concluded their UK tour to promote their top ten album Angel In Realtime with a sold-out show in front of an ecstatic audience at Manchester's Albert Hall with two excellent support slots from Tom A Smith and fellow Aussie Charlie Collins. 

White Lies / VLURE - Manchester Academy - 11th March 2022

White Lies brought their extensive As I Try Not To Fall Apart tour of the UK and Europe to a full Manchester Academy on Friday night to showcase their new album as well as deliver some old favourites supported by VLURE.

LIINES / The Short Causeway - Hebden Bridge Trades Club - 10th March 2022

LIINES headed out of town on Thursday night for their postponed Independent Venue Week show at Hebden Bridge Trades Club, a venue perfectly suited to their sound and ethos to play their longest ever set today including tracks from their in-progress second album. Support came from Hebden Bridge's own The Short Causeway.

Working Men's Club - Manchester Yes Basement - 9th March 2022

Ahead of their US trip for SXSW Working Men's Club returned to their roots with a hot and sweaty warm-up show in the basement of Yes in Manchester revealing a new line-up and new material.

David Ford / Annie Dressner - Manchester Gullivers - 8th March 2022

David Ford and Annie Dressner performed the second of two shows in Manchester on Tuesday night at a sold-out show at Gullivers, across the road from the previous night's more intimate set at The Castle. With both artists only performing one song on both nights and with David bringing along his full kit and looping set-up, it was a very different but not less enthralling evening of entertainment.

David Ford / Annie Dressner - Manchester Castle Hotel - 7th March 2022

David Ford's tour in support of his forthcoming album May You Live In Interesting Times and his impromptu 48 Hours With mini album that he recorded with support act Annie Dressner hit Manchester's Castle Hotel for the first of two nights in the city. Veering away from his tour set and with a stripped down kit he delighted a crowd of devotees with a career-spanning set and plenty of witty anecdotes.

Silverbacks / Pale Blue Eyes - Manchester Yes Basement - 6th March 2022

Silverbacks opened their short tour of England and Ireland in support of their recently-released second album Archive Material with a Sunday night show in the basement of Yes in Manchester to an enthusiastic crowd supported by Pale Blue Eyes who gave a performance worthy of headliners themselves.

You Are Not Alone Festival (Proletariat / Déjà Vega / Hey Bulldog / The Notion / James Holt / Cold Water Swimmers / Double Good Company / This Summit Fever / Spin Klass / Freeda) - Manchester Northern Quarter - 5th March 2022

After many postponements Manchester's You Are Not Alone Festival finally took place on Saturday around eight venues in the Northern Quarter with a full line-up of artists from the local scene and further afield, often playing in venues much smaller than you'd traditionally find them. We got out our Clashfinder and spent eleven hours in the company of ten acts, some familiar and some new to us, on one of the best-run urban festivals we've ever attended.

Wolf Alice / Lucia And The Best Boys - Manchester Apollo - 3rd March 2022

Wolf Alice's triumphant belated tour of the nation to celebrate the success of their first number one album Blue Weekend rolled into Manchester on Thursday night for the first of two sold out nights in front of an adoring audience from the barrier right to the back of the room hanging on every word and note with a band blossoming in front of our eyes.

Liam Frost / Ederlezi / Demi Marriner - Manchester Halle St Michael's - 25th/26th February 2022

One of Manchester's most-loved yet underappreciated songwriters made his comeback with two intimate shows at Halle St Michael's on Friday and Saturday night, reminding us of the brilliance of his back catalogue of three albums whilst tantalising us with new material which he promises will be released "soon". Support came from Ederlezi on Friday and Demi Marriner on Saturday.

Sprints / DEAFDEAFDEAF - Manchester Yes Basement - 24th February 2022

Sprints played their first date of 2022 in the smoky basement of Manchester's Yes on Thursday night, the opening show on their UK and Irish tour in support of their forthcoming second EP A Modern Job. An enthusiastic crowd were drawn in by the infectious energy emanating from the stage as Sprints' no holds barred approach to their art continued their seemingly unstoppable rise.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Just Mustard - Still

Just Mustard have revealed Still, the first track to be taken from their forthcoming second album Heart Under that is released on May 27th. The song features intoxicating vocals from Katie Ball wrapped around a gloriously intense soundtrack.

VLURE - Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut - 18th February 2022

Delayed from December, VLURE's triumphant end-of-tour homecoming at Glasgow's King Tut's Wah Wah Hut was the hottest ticket in town on Friday night. Coming home with the release of their debut EP Euphoria in their back pocket and about to embark on a tour across bigger halls supporting White Lies, this was a celebration amongst friends of a band that's destined for greatness.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The False Peak - The Dreamer

The Dreamer is the debut single from The False Peak, a Leeds-based trio and the song very much lives up to their stated aim of "writing catchy songs with an evocative message" as they look back at childhood memories wrapped up in music that has a warm and endearing feel to it.

Smoke Fairies / Samana - Manchester Deaf Institute - 12th February 2022

Smoke Fairies brought their first tour in two years to Manchester's Deaf Institute on Saturday night with a set leaning heavily on 2020's Darkness Brings The Wonders Home album. Support came from a stripped-down Samana.

Sugarfungus - Interview

Vancouver's Sugarfungus formed during lockdown and recently released their debut EP Letting Go, Moving Still, six songs of addictive glorious electronic dream-pop tinged with a hint of melancholy. We caught up with them for a chat to find out more about them, the songs on the EP and their plans.

The Snuts / Heidi Curtis - Manchester Blues Kitchen - 9th February 2022

Wednesday night saw Jack from The Snuts perform a much-rescheduled set of songs from their number one debut album accompanied by a cellist in front of packed and vocal Manchester crowd at The Blues Kitchen. Support came from Newcastle solo artist Heidi Curtis.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Balancing Act - Cold

Cold is the debut single from Balancing Act, a duo featuring Kai Roberts, formerly front man of Carnival Club, and Jackson Couzens of Anteros. Now relocated to London from Manchester where they met, they've got together to produce this first single with the promise of more to come.

Déjà Vega - Glasgow Nice N Sleazy - 6th February 2022

Déjà Vega are on a roll. The night after their biggest ever headline show at Manchester Gorilla, the band make their way north to play their inaugural Scottish show. Stuart Ralston went home for the evening and, like the rest of the audience, was blown away.

Cherry Ghost / Liam Frost - Hebden Bridge Trades Club - 6th February 2022

Postponed almost two years from its original date in April 2020, Sunday night finally saw Cherry Ghost play an extremely rare live show at Hebden Bridge Trades Club with a set spanning their three albums to date to an awe-struck reverent audience. Support came from a solo set from Liam Frost making his Trades Club debut.

Déjà Vega / The Zangwills - Manchester Gorilla - 5th February 2022

Déjà Vega's much-delayed tour to support the much-delayed release of their second album Personal Hell called in at Manchester Gorilla on Saturday night for a triumphant sort-of-homecoming show in front of a fevered crowd drawn in by the cathartic majesty of a band that had always been seen as an underdog but who are now filling venues across the country.

Ist Ist - Manchester 33 Oldham Street - 1st February 2022

Ist Ist played the first of two extremely intimate Independent Venue Week shows at Manchester's 33 Oldham Street venue on Tuesday night. Tickets sold out in seconds for both shows when they were put on sale so there was a real sense of anticipation for a band playing to a tenth of the audience of their recent Manchester headline shows and they didn't disappoint with a twenty-song set that went all the way back to their debut single and forward to an unreleased track they're working on for their third album.

Colacello / Strawberry Lemonade / Max Hammond / South By Zero - Manchester Lions Den - 29th January 2022

Saturday night saw the first Boon Army night at Manchester's Lions Den venue on Deansgate Mews, four acts interspersed and followed by a DJ set from Clint Boon. Giving an opportunity to new and upcoming acts of all ages to play in front of each other's audiences with the attraction of one of the city's favourite musical sons, the Lions Den is trying its hardest to establish its venue, recently refurbished and rearranged, in a part of the city centre that isn't noted for small independent venues.

Wet Leg / Mandy, Indiana / High School - Manchester Yes - 28th January 2022

Wet Leg headed to Manchester as part of the celebrations of Independent Venue Week to play a sold-out-in-seconds show in the Pink Room of Yes to a crowd of the already converted and the curious. Performing their forthcoming debut album in full and more they delighted a two hundred and fifty crowd with a song full of fun and joy that's been in short supply recently. Support came from the contrasting but both excellent High School and Mandy, Indiana.

Proletariat - Manchester Rose And Monkey Hotel - 26th January 2022

Proletariat played an intimate stripped-back show at Manchester's Rose And Monkey on Wednesday night as a thank you for ticket holders for their upcoming headline show at Gorilla on May 21st. Revealing their next single What Do We Call This Place as well as a surprise cover, they demonstrated a different side to their work than we'd previously seen.

The Red Stains - Manchester Stage And Radio - 26th January 2022

The Red Stains' first gig of 2022 was an intimate affair in the makeshift venue of the basement of Stage And Radio on Port Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter. With a significant crowd already in for the opening band, their ten song set gave an exciting and thrilling reminder of their fascinating pop / punk crossover.

Yard Act - Manchester Yes - 25th January 2022

In the middle of a chart battle with Years And Years with their debut album The Overload, Yard Act are on a mission to play as many gigs and sell as many records as humanly possible to try and top the charts at the end of the week. We caught their last minute gig at Manchester's Yes, announced 24 hours before, their fourth of the day and witnessed a tired and emotional band capture the imagination and hearts of a packed out crowd.

Déjà Vega - Personal Hell

Déjà Vega's second album Personal Hell captures one of the most enthralling live bands around spreading their wings from their self-titled debut yet retaining the thrilling intensity for which they've become known, a trio of friends who've been on a musical journey for approaching a decade and who are finally getting the wider acknowledgement that we've known they've always deserved.

The KVB / DEK - Manchester Deaf Institute - 22nd January 2022

The KVB brought their sixth album Unity to a packed-out Deaf Institute on Saturday night in their adopted hometown of Manchester for the second night of their UK tour supported by local trio DEK.

Howling Bells / Lexi Berg - Manchester Night And Day Cafe - 21st January 2022

Howling Bells played the penultimate night of their Revive Live tour at Night And Day Cafe in Manchester on Friday night, performing their self-titled debut album in full plus tracks from its follow-up Radio Wars, turning back the clock way back to 2006. Support came from Lexi Berg playing a solo set showcasing tracks from her recent debut EP.

Lonelady / Peter Duggal - Hebden Bridge Trades Club - 14th January 2022

With so many shows cancelled at present, it was a real joy to witness a gig for the first time in 2022 at our favourite venue, The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, and with such an intoxicating performer as Lonelady on stage, fusing dance and rock music elements into a combination that few do so successfully and with an audience eating out of the palm of their hands as the seventy-five minute set felt like a genuine release of pent-up frustration and a reminder of the joy that live music can bring.

Ryley Walker - So Certain EP

Ryley Walker is one of the most prolific artists around. Not just content with releasing his own solo album Course In Fable last year, he also put out a number of collaborations inspired by the improvisational spirit that runs through his live shows where songs take on a life of their own often detached from their recorded origins. The So Certain EP is a more traditional record, laid down with long-term collaborator Bill MacKay on guitar, Andrew Scott-Young on bass and cello and Quin Kirchner on drums and percussion, the former two who'd worked with him on Course In Fable.

VLURE - Euphoria EP

Glasgow five-piece VLURE have been the hottest band on our radar since they released a live video of Desire way back in 2019 when the world was a very different place. Two and a bit years on, they release their debut EP Euphoria as a soundtrack to survival, of understanding exactly what and who matters and the importance of love and friendship to our existence and happiness.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Mary Joanna - Dead Man's Eyes

Dead Man's Eyes is the lead track from a new compilation album released by Mary Joanna of unreleased tracks from the short-lived existence of their band in 2015-6 as a tribute to her brother and bassist / programmer Will Coogan who passed away in 2021. 

EVEN THE STARS 22 TIPS FOR 22

The folks at SoundOn have asked us to compile a playlist of our tips for 2022, so we've selected 22 of the artists and bands that we think will make their mark over the next twelve months and who we're looking forward to hearing what they do next. We've selected artists and bands that haven't yet released their debut album. We'd love to hear in the comments who you recommend and who you think we've missed.

EVEN THE STARS 2021 PLAYLIST

We've compiled a playlist of forty of our favourite songs of 2021, a mix of singles and album tracks from new and established bands.

Full list - VLURE, Ist Ist, James, Odd Morris, Julia Bardo, Marissa Nadler, Self Esteem, Wolf Alice, Dry Cleaning, Low Hummer, The Slow Readers Club, Stephen Fretwell, LIINES, Lime Garden, wych elm, Soot Sprite, FIKA, Egyptian Blue, Sprints, Proletariat, Blanketman, Rosellas, Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra, Meggie Lennon, talker, Wyldest, Hectorine, Solis, Lanterns On The Lake, Roxanne De Bastion, Blankenberge, English Teacher, Francis Of Delirium, Hates Talking, Grandmas House, James Holt, Thyla, Bleach Lab, The Clockworks and Bullet Girl

EVEN THE STARS ALBUMS OF 2021 - 5 to 1

2021 has been a very strong year for albums. Our top three would have topped this list in most of the years that we've being doing this. Our top five features a band about to celebrate its fortieth anniversary with an album that stands up against anything they've ever released, a Manchester band's second album in two years who are hopefully on the brink of bigger things, a rich emotional debut from an Italian songwriter, a long-awaited return after over a decade away from a much-loved singer-songwriter and a ninth solo album from a singer entering her third decade in the business.

EVEN THE STARS ALBUMS OF 2021 - 10 to 6

2021 has been a very strong year for albums. Our top three would have topped this list in most of the years that we've being doing this. Today we reveal albums ten to six in our favourite records of the year.

Solis - Interview

Solis is likely to be a name familiar to those with their ear to the ground in Manchester over the past few years as she's played a series of impressive support slots for the likes of Blossoms and Ist Ist as well as some showstopping performances at open mic nights around town. With her debut album scheduled in for 2022 and a recent single Sunday acting as a lead-in, we caught up with her for a chat about how she came to be in Manchester, her inspirations and plans.

The Chameleons / Ist Ist / Salvation - Manchester Ritz - 18th December 2021

The Chameleons brought their traditional Christmas shows back to Manchester Ritz after last year's enforced absence with two nights entitled Home Is Where The Heart Is 2021 / Nostalgia 81:21 as a celebration of forty years of the band's existence. We caught the triumphant second night supported by Salvation and Ist Ist as they reminded us just why they're one of the most-loved if underacknowledged bands to come from the city.

Apta - Echoes

Echoes is the third album to be released this year by the prolific Apta - description "one man, many machines, some strings" - following in the footsteps of WF24 - Vignettes and Rainbow Islands. Across eleven tracks we're taken on an atmospheric trip through the thought processes of the creator.

Ist Ist / Proletariat / Oceans On Mars - Manchester Academy 2 - 11th December 2021

Ist Ist’s much-delayed tour in support of last year’s debut album Architecture and subsequently this year’s follow-up The Art Of Lying concluded with their biggest headline show to date, a triumphant twenty one song homecoming at Manchester Academy 2 on Saturday night supported by Oceans On Mars and Proletariat.