TRACK OF THE DAY : Lanterns On The Lake - The Likes Of Us

Lanterns On The Lake today revealed The Likes Of Us, the first single to be taken from their fifth studio album Versions Of Us that will be released via Bella Union on June 2nd and accompanied by a UK tour in November and December including a home show at The Sage in Gateshead.

The Slow Readers Club - Interview

The Slow Readers Club released their sixth studio album Knowledge Freedom Power on Friday. An album full of the sort of uplifting anthems that we've come to know and love from one of Manchester's finest bands, it looks set to follow its predecessors into the charts. We caught up with Aaron and Kurt for a chat about the making of the record and the inspirations behind it.

The Covasettes / Bedroom High Club - Manchester Gorilla - 25th February 2023

The Covasettes played their biggest headline show on Saturday night at Gorilla in Manchester where they delighted a packed enthusiastic crowd with a series of old favourites, pointing the way to even bigger things in the future. Support came from Barnsley's Bedroom High Club.

Beam Noir - Manchester Yes Basement - 24th February 2023

Friday night saw Beam Noir's debut gig in the basement of Yes. In front of an enthusiastic crowd, the new outfit, formed from the ashes of an old favourite, had the room bouncing along to a set of songs and an energetic performance from front man Joey.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Lottie Gray - Daffodil Baby

Daffodil Baby is the debut single from Manchester RNCM student Lottie Gray.  An impressive first offering from the 19 year old marks her out as a voice to very much keep an ear out for in 2023 as she prepares the release of her EP due for release later this year.

The Slow Readers Club - Knowledge Freedom Power

Our championing of The Slow Readers Club predates this blog and there are good reasons for this; the main one being that they are exceptional songwriters and performers. 2023 sees The Slow Readers Club embarking on a big UK and European tour in support of their incredible new album Knowledge Freedom Power.

The Murder Capital - Manchester Albert Hall - 16th February 2023

The Murder Capital kicked off their UK tour in support of their second album Gigi's Recovery at Manchester's Albert Hall on Thursday night. Performing all but one track from the album as well as a selection from their debut When I Have Fears, the band demonstrated just why they're ready to take over the world.

Seb Lowe / The Guest List - Manchester Band On The Wall - 11th February 2023

Seb Lowe continued his seemingly unstoppable rise with a sold-out show at Manchester's Band On The Wall with a mix of tracks from his EPs and singles and an impressive raft of unreleased songs. With a new band line-up giving the songs new life and energy, he captivated a packed out room. Support came from the impressive The Guest List.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Dream Wife - Hot (Don't Date A Musician)

Dream Wife have released a new single Hot (Don't Date A Musician) as well as announcing the release of their third album Social Lubrication on June 9th featuring the single and its predecessor Leech as well as eight other brand new tracks. 

Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls / The Lottery Winners / Wilswood Buoys - Northampton Roadmender - 6th February 2023

Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls' Never Ending Tour Of Everywhere rolled into the legendary Roadmender in Northampton on Monday night for the 2,737th gig of Frank's career. A sold-out crowd revelled in a massive career-spanning twenty-six song set that ranged from frenetic punk rock to quiet acoustic touching most bases in between. Impressive support was provided by The Lottery Winners and Wilswood Buoys.

The Murder Capital - Cologne Luxor - 5th February 2023

The Murder Capital’s time is now. Strap yourself in for the ride because 2023 is going to be their year as they conquer every town and city in Ireland, the rest of Europe, the United Kingdom and, significantly, America.

The Slow Readers Club - Bury The Met - 5th February 2023

The Slow Readers Club played a one-off intimate stripped-down show on Sunday night in the Box Theatre of The Met in Bury as part of the venue's Independent Venue Week celebrations. A career-spanning set included a surprise cover of The Smiths' There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.

Mandy, Indiana / Moth Slut - Manchester Yes Basement - 3rd February 2023

Ahead of their trip to SXSW next month Mandy, Indiana played their first sold-out headline show in a packed basement of Yes on Friday night. Creating a huge wall of sonic distortion interspersed with Valentine's French lyrics set to lighting that veered from blinding to non-existent, they mesmerised a crowd that were drawn to the stage.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Brooke Combe - Black Is The New Gold

Brooke Combe today releases her new single Black Is The New Gold, a standout track from her recent live shows, and a song where she explores her heritage through a soulful song that really brings out her wonderfully evocative voice.

Sprints / Thus Love / M(h)aol - Manchester Yes Basement - 1st February 2023

Sprints, Thus Love and M(h)aol's sold out show in the cramped packed surroundings of the basement of Yes in Manchester showcased three extraordinary bands capable of headlining much bigger rooms on their own. Each coming with their own distinctive slant on their art, but with plenty of common defining themes and the aim of blowing the head off anyone within range, they combined to deliver a night that'll be talked about by those who attended for as long as the gig round the corner.

Del Barber / Lottie Gray / Mike Blue / Hetta Falzon - Manchester Retro - 30th January 2023

Del Barber's UK tour called in at Retro in Manchester on Monday night following his appearance at the UK Americana Week in London. He and his band performed songs from across his career and introduced us to what he describes as "Manitoba honky tonk". The supporting line up of Lottie Gray, Mike Blue and Hetta Falzon provide an excellent and varied introduction to the evening.

Meryl Streek / Products - Manchester Deaf Institute - 28th January 2023

Meryl Streek's 796 album was one of last year's most striking and important releases. Musically diverse, fuelled by the anger at the state of his native Ireland, the way religious and political power has corrupted society and its consequences. On Saturday he brought the album and his predominantly solo show to the Lodge of the Deaf Institute in Manchester supported by Products.

Charm Of Finches / Little Sparrow - Salford Sacred Trinity Church - 27th January 2023

Charm Of Finches returned to Greater Manchester after last year's shows in Manchester and Bury for an intimate sold out night in the inspiring surroundings of Salford's Sacred Trinity. Performing songs from their three albums to date as well as new songs from their fourth which they plan to record in Canada next month, the Australian duo had a reverent audience under their spell over two sets. Support came from closer to home in the form of Little Sparrow who reminded us of the majestic beauty of tracks from her debut album Wishing Tree and subsequent singles.

The Murder Capital - Manchester Piccadilly Records - 24th January 2023

As part of the promotion of their second album Gigi's Recovery which currently sits in the top 10 midweek album charts, The Murder Capital popped into Piccadilly Records in Manchester as part of a whistlestop series of acoustic sets and signings to promote the record.

Powder House - Dublin Workman's Cellar - 19th January 2023

Hailing from the West Coast of Ireland are Powder House. A three-piece folk, alternative, indie rock band who are threatening to create a stir in 2023. Ahead of The Murder Capital's launch shows for Gigi's Recovery in Dublin, Jason Wynne stumbled across Mayo’s next big thing at the Workman’s Cellar one bitterly cold evening where they played in celebration of the release that day of new single My Corner. 

TRACK OF THE DAY : New Divide - Delora

Delora is the second single by Manchester-based band New Divide, the follow-up to last year's debut All I Am. 

Mackay Hingley - Decades

2023 promises to be a busy year for Tom Hingley; next month sees the return of his post-Inspiral Carpets band The Lovers, plus extensive solo and band dates with his latest band The Kar-pets. But first, he starts the year with an exciting new project. Tom has taken time to record a new mini-album with his life long friend, former Hacienda co-worker and band mate from his pre-Inspirals beat combo, Too Much Texas, Gordon Mackay. It marks the first time they have recorded together in 38 years. 

The Murder Capital - Dublin Tower Records / Workman's Club - 20th January 2023

Album launch day for Gigi’s Recovery saw two shows in the space of three hours in their home city of Dublin which encapsulated the spirit and highlighted the continued rise of Ireland’s The Murder Capital.

Dirty Blonde / The Lotts / Barstaff / Ruby J / Overpass (This Feeling Big In 2023) - Manchester Bread Shed - 20th January 2023

This Feeling's Big In 20xx nights have often been a place for new bands to really make their mark before heading off to bigger venues and record deals. The Manchester leg of this year's series took place at Bread Shed with a massive line-up of seven bands, of which we caught the first five - Overpass, Ruby J, Barstaff, The Lotts and Dirty Blonde.

TRACK OF THE DAY : VLURE - Cut It

VLURE return with a new single Cut It, their first new material in almost a year since the release of their debut EP Euphoria.

Big Joanie / GHUM / Chemtrails - Manchester Deaf Institute - 17th January 2023

Big Joanie concluded their UK tour with a sold-out show at Manchester's Deaf Institute on Tuesday night in support of last year's second album Back Home. The Black Feminist Sistah Punk quartet ensured their messages of inclusion and empowerment were conveyed to a receptive crowd. Support came from GHUM and Chemtrails who impressed the audience with their sets.

The Murder Capital - Gigi's Recovery

When James McGovern declared “The evolution will not be compromised” in an interview ahead of the release of second album Gigi’s Recovery it raised a few eyebrows in some quarters. Alas, any fears the band may have lost their way can be immediately quashed with their brand new offering Gigi's Recovery. The follow up succeeds the pain and grief from their dark and abrasive debut, When I Have Fears, with a kaleidoscope of colour and melody whilst still retaining that intensity, honesty and beauty of the debut record.

Liam Fray / Rianne Downey - Manchester Ritz - 13th January 2023

To support the Greater Manchester Mayor's charity project A Bed Every Night that aims to help alleviate the homeless problem on the region's streets, Liam Fray headlined The Ritz with a one-off performance that included the whole of Courteeners' St Jude debut album as well as selected highlights from their back catalogue and a couple of covers. Support came from Glasgow's Rianne Downey.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Ist Ist - Something Has To Give

Ist Ist have today released Something Has To Give, the third single to be taken from their forthcoming album Protagonists, and its accompanying video. 

TRACK OF THE DAY : Sugarfungus - Feeling Forever

Canadian band Sugarfungus, whose debut EP Letting Go Moving Still was one of our favourite and most-played releases of 2022, return with a new single Feeling Forever, a song that explores the age old questions around finding happiness and fulfilment.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Slow Readers Club - Modernise

The Slow Readers Club have released Modernise, the opening track and second single to be taken from their forthcoming studio album Knowledge Freedom Power which is released on February 24th. 

Déjà Vega / Pray For Mojo / The Rafters - Darwen Sunbird Records - 30th December 2022

Déjà Vega closed out their most successful year to date where they finally released second album Personal Hell with a packed out show at Darwen's Sunbird Records supported by Pray For Mojo and The Rafters. 

The Lottery Winners / Andrew Cushin / Lois - Manchester Albert Hall - 22nd December 2022

The Lottery Winners played their biggest headline show to date on Thursday night at a sold-out Albert Hall in Manchester that the four-piece had eating out of the palms of their hands. Tears, singalongs and a celebration of an outsider band taking the long road to success made it one of the most heartwarming evenings we've spent at a gig in a long time. Support came from Lois and Andrew Cushin.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Height - Nowhere

Nowhere is the debut single by teenage Salford trio The Height. It's a wonderfully laid-back song that has plenty of touchpoints in musical history but which still manages the neat trick of sounding fresh and vibrant. It's an impressive first outing from a band that's likely to be heard much more in 2023 and beyond.

EVEN THE STARS ALBUMS OF 2022 - 5 to 1

2022 was a year that most of our favourite artists didn't release an album after last year's run of them. So our 2022 list is a little more varied than in previous years and features a lot of artists that go under the radar of most mainstream lists with a couple of exceptions. In this second post, we recall 10 to 6 before revealing our favourite five.

EVEN THE STARS ALBUMS OF 2022 - 10 to 6

2022 was a year that many of our favourite artists didn't release an album after last year's run of them. So our 2022 list is a little more varied than in previous years and features a lot of artists that go under the radar of most mainstream lists with a couple of exceptions. In this first post we count down our favourite ten from 10 to 6

Blossoms / Brooke Combe - Manchester Apollo - 11th December 2022

Blossoms completed their sold-out four-night residency at Manchester Apollo and their twenty-three date sold out UK and Ireland tour on Sunday night with a hit-packed set that included a special guest appearance by Rick Astley who performed four classics from The Smiths to reprise their shows earlier in the year. Support came from the impressive Brooke Combe who stunned an already packed audience with her showstopping voice.

John Bramwell And The Full Harmonic Convergence / Harriet Bradshaw - Manchester Deaf Institute - 11th December 2022

John Bramwell And The Full Harmonic Convergence warmed up a freezing Sunday afternoon in Manchester with an intimate show in the Deaf Institute that previewed tracks from the forthcoming album The Light Fantastic as well as revisiting classics from his I Am Kloot back catalogue as well as his solo album Leave Alone The Empty Spaces. Accompanied by Dave Fidler, Alan Lowles and Harriet Bradshaw, who earlier performed a short four-song set of her own, he demonstrated that he's writing the best material of his career and looking the happiest up on stage that he ever has.

Blossoms - Manchester Apollo - 10th December 2022

The third night of Blossoms' four gig residency at the Apollo in Manchester always threatened to be overshadowed by the World Cup quarter final between England and France. However, the band lifted the deflated spirits of the audience with an hour and a half set of infectious, glorious songs that lifted the spirits and provided the communion that music provides that nothing else can.

Blossoms - Manchester Apollo - 9th December 2022

Blossoms' run of four consecutive sold out nights at Manchester Apollo continued on Friday with a hit-laden ninety minute set of crowd favourites from across their four albums and featured a guest appearance from Liam Fray of Courteeners.

I Like Trains - Manchester Deaf Institute - 7th December 2022

I Like Trains opened up a short UK tour with a packed out show at Manchester's Deaf Institute on Wednesday night. Heavily featuring 2020's excellent Kompromat album and including new single The Spectacle, they delighted their dedicated fanbase with an intense and powerful performance.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Ist Ist - Mary In The Black And White Room

Ist Ist have released Mary In The Black And White Room, the second track to be taken from their forthcoming album Protagonists which is due for release in March 2023. A more synth-driven track than the album's opening release Stamp You Out, it will both delight long-term fans of the band and give an insight into the progression of their sound on their third record.

Heartless Bastards - Manchester Low Four Studios - 2nd December 2022

Heartless Bastards brought their delayed UK tour in support of their A Beautiful Life album to Manchester's Low Four Studios on Friday night for a sold out show. Overcoming technical issues that threatened to scupper the whole gig they delivered a powerful rocking performance interspersed with more intimate moments to delight the enthusiastic crowd.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Fondabath - Craving

Craving is the second single by Manchester's Fondabath. The follow-up to their debut Where's Your Smile Gone? is a powerful guitar-heavy take on the harm that social media can do and the pressures it puts on people.

Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott / Billy Bragg - Blackpool Opera House - 28th November 2022

Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott brought the third night of their tour in support of their number one album NK-Pop to the resplendent surroundings of Blackpool Opera House on Monday night supported by Billy Bragg. A career-spanning set from Paul's earliest days in The Housemartins right up to tracks from NK Pop delighted an initially reticent seated audience and had the whole building on their feet by the end to celebrate two of music's most enduring characters.

Wet Leg - Manchester Ritz - 19th November 2022

Wet Leg's triumphant year continued on Saturday night with a sold-out-in-seconds show at Manchester's Ritz as part of a triumphant year-end celebration of one of the year's biggest success stories.

Sundowners - Manchester Ditto - 19th November 2022

Sundowners concluded their intimate record store tour in support of their Pulling Back The Night album with an afternoon set at Ditto off Albert Square in Manchester. Performing tracks from the album as well as their two previous offerings as well as a special cover version, Fiona and Niamh delighted an attentive crowd with a set full of songs laced with beautiful harmonies, uplifting songwriting and accompanied by witty in-between song chat about the songs and their creation.

HotKid / The Twisted Dolls / Full Billy / Kyle Toolan - Manchester Retro - 18th November 2022

HotKid opened their first ever UK tour in Manchester on Friday night with a powerful intense set in the basement of Retro bar supported by excellent sets from Manchester's The Twisted Dolls and Preston's Full Billy and solo artist Kyle Toolan. 

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Slow Readers Club - Knowledge Freedom Power

The Slow Readers Club return with the first single and title track from their forthcoming sixth studio album Knowledge Freedom Power. Embracing a much more synth-based approach without dispensing with their ability to craft songs with huge anthemic memorable chorus which grab you on first listen and hold you in their spell.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Murder Capital - Ethel

The Murder Capital have revealed their new single, Ethel, the third track from their forthcoming album Gigi's Recovery. More reminiscent of the style of their debut When I Have Fears than the previous two singles, the powerful track still marks out the new record as a new beginning for a band that has eschewed the album treadmill cycle of many of their contemporaries and taken the time to make a record that reflects their headspace and evolution as a band.