James - Manchester Apollo - 9th May 2023

James returned home to Manchester for the first of two nights with Orca 22 and The Manchester Inspirational Voices Gospel Choir for their first show at the city's legendary Apollo venue for twenty-five years. 

James - Liverpool Philharmonic - 7th May 2023

Night nine of fifteen of James' Lasted 40th anniversary tour with Orca 22 orchestra and the Manchester Inspirational Voices Gospel Choir headed to Liverpool, scene of many of their most memorable gigs in the late 1980s as they broke for the first time, for a Sunday night set that became the longest and most celebratory of the tour so far.

James - Birmingham Symphony Hall - 5th May 2023

James reached the half way point in their Lasted fortieth anniversary celebration tour with Orca 22 and the Manchester Inspirational Voices Gospel Choir with another sold out show in the imposing surroundings of Birmingham's Symphony Hall. Once again playing with the setlist to keep the show fresh and improvising within the framework of a thirty-nine person set-up, they delighted the crowd with a mix of old favourites from the start of their career right up to new material.

James - Sheffield City Hall - 4th May 2023

James' tour with Orca 22 and the Manchester Inspirational Voices Gospel Choir headed to Sheffield on Thursday night for the seventh of fifteen dates on the Lasted tour commemorating forty years since their first release. Introducing a couple of new songs to the set for the first time and continuing their quest to change the setlist around to make each experience different, they delighted a reverential and respectful crowd with a mix of hits and deep cuts.

James - Newcastle City Hall - 2nd May 2023

The James Lasted tour headed back into England on Tuesday night for a sold-out show at Newcastle City Hall with the nine-piece James augmented by Orca 22 and the Manchester Inspirational Voices Gospel Choir. A radically restructured set on the smallest stage and venue of the tour made for an intimate experience. 

James - Glasgow SEC Armadillo - 1st May 2023

Night five of the James Lasted fortieth anniversary tour with the Orca 22 orchestra and the Manchester Inspirational Voices Gospel Choir reached Glasgow on Monday and the three and a half thousand capacity SEC Armadillo. A rejigged setlist challenged and delighted a for once restrained Glasgow audience, scene of some of their most raucous nights on previous tours.

James - Edinburgh Usher Hall - 29th April 2023

James’ tour with the Orca 22 orchestra and Manchester Inspirational Voices Gospel Choir headed up to Scotland on Saturday night for the fourth night of the tour in the resplendent settings of Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. Tweaking the setlist as they go and starting to take more risks within songs, the set featured both some of their greatest hits reimagined as well as others plucked from the depths of their forty-year back catalogue and given central billing.

James - York Barbican - 28th April 2023

After a well-earned night off after the first two shows in Brighton and Cardiff, James’ sold out tour with the Orca 22 Orchestra and Manchester Inspirational Voices Choir rolled into York Barbican. A set of hits, deep album cuts and band and crowd favourites from across their forty year career delighted the Friday night audience.

Cindy / Test Card Girl - Manchester Gullivers - 27th April 2023

San Francisco's Cindy brought their UK tour in support of their most recent album Why Not Now to the ballroom of Gullivers in Manchester's Northern Quarter on Thursday night. A set that pulled from each of their four albums to date delighted a small but hugely appreciative Manchester audience

Before Breakfast - Absorbed EP

Following on from last year’s debut album I Could Be Asleep If It Weren’t For You, Sheffield’s Before Breakfast return with a five-track EP Absorbed.

Lottie Gray - How To Haunt EP

How To Haunt is the debut six track EP from Norfolk-born Royal Northern College Of Music student Lottie Gray, a beautifully constructed set of songs that marks her out as an artist of genuine potential who needs your attention now.

James - Cardiff St David's Hall - 26th April 2023

James headed to Cardiff for the second night of their orchestral tour with the Orca 22 orchestra and Manchester Inspirational Voices Choir with a first ever performance at St David's Hall. Tweaking the setlist from the opening night and with first night nerves out of the way, they delighted a sold out audience who found their Welsh singing voices at the end of the night.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Neon Waltz - Thoughts / Dreams / Regrets

Neon Waltz return with their long-awaited single Thoughts / Dreams / Regrets taken from their forthcoming second album Honey Now to be released via Fierce Panda on 1st September. 

James - Brighton The Dome - 25th April 2023

James opened their tour with the Orca 22 orchestra conducted by Joe Duddell and the Manchester Inspirational Voices Choir in front of a reverential seated audience at the resplendent Brighton Dome on Tuesday night. Reinventing and reworking songs from their earliest releases right through to a brand new song recorded for this project, they delighted the audience with hits, rarities and a few surprises along the way.

Caitlin Rose / Dominic Billett - Manchester Deaf Institute - 24th April 2023

Caitlin Rose made her long-awaited return to Manchester, a decade after her last visit to the city, for a sold-out show at the Deaf Institute to promote her Cazimi album. The evening ended with a very special celebration and then Caitlin playing a song unamped sat on the edge of the stage.

The Lottery Winners / Pet Needs / The A.V. Club - Warrington Parr Hall - 22nd April 2023

The Lottery Winners continued their campaign ahead of the release of their third album Anxiety Replacement Therapy with a sold-out show at Parr Hall in Warrington supported by Pet Needs and local band The A.V. Club. Previewing songs from the new record as well as a series of crowd favourites from previous albums and Thom's unique between song chat, the four-piece delighted and entertained an enthusiastic crowd.

TRACK OF THE DAY : emzae - I Guess, Anyway

I Guess Anyway is the new single from emzae, an emotional song written about her reaction to the end of lockdown and the impact that had on her, taken from her debut album All Those Things I Thought I Knew that comes out in September.

Tom Hingley / Ian Britt / Mancunia - Stockport Bask - 16th April 2023

Tom Hingley played an intimate acoustic set mainly comprising hit singles from his time fronting Inspiral Carpets at Bask in Stockport on Sunday night. Support came from Ian Britt and Mancunia.

Inspiral Carpets - Glasgow SWG3 - 13th April 2023

Inspiral Carpets play their first Scottish date  of 2023 to a packed and adoring audience. Stuart Ralston popped home to join the celebrations.

Ist Ist / NOPRISM / Post Ironic State - Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut / Newcastle Cluny - 13th / 14th April 2023

Ist Ist opened the UK leg of their Protagonists tour in support of their Top 50 album with packed out shows at two legendary venues - Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut and Newcastle Cluny. Supported by two great local artists - Post Ironic State in Glasgow and NOPRISM in Newcastle, Ist Ist demonstrated why they're on the cusp of making a significant breakthrough under their own steam with the irresistible and overwhelming power of their art.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Red Stains - TV Static

TV Static is the new single from the latest incarnation of Manchester's most vocal toilet graffiti artists, a satirical view of the world around them tinged with a sense of desperation at the expectations placed on people in the digital age.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Seb Lowe - Cavalryman

Seb Lowe returns with a new single Cavalryman, a studio version of a live favourite. His strongest release yet, it's his most ambitious track yet musically featuring his new band line-up and produced by James Skelly.

Inspiral Carpets / The Solution - Leeds O2 Academy - 8th April 2023

Inspiral Carpets continued their tour in support of The Complete Singles with a sold-out show at Leeds O2 Academy on Saturday night. An expectant crowd revelled in a set that rolled back the years and reminded them of more youthful times. Support came from the very excellent The Solution.

Peter Hook And The Light - Manchester Albert Hall - 7th April 2023

Peter Hook And The Light played a trio of shows at Manchester's Albert Hall over the Easter weekend - performing classic and greatest hits Joy Division and New Order albums in full as has become tradition. The Friday night saw the five-piece tackle both bands' second albums - Closer and Power Corruption And Lies as well as a short encore of singles and favourites from around the period of the release.

The Orielles - Manchester Canvas - 6th April 2023

The Orielles returned to their adopted home of Manchester for a sold out show at Canvas on the penultimate leg of their tour to support their exceptional third album Tableau. Drawing heavily from that record with a few older favourites added for good measure, they delighted a crowd of all ages with an intense hour and a half set.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Bella Estelle - Smile

Smile is the latest single from Portsmouth-based songwriter Bella Estelle. A beautiful love song with a very personal meaning to her, the song is uplifting and emotional, building imposingly and impressively.

Ist Ist - Leeds Oporto - 4th April 2023

From the highs of headlining the fifteen hundred capacity Ritz in their hometown of Manchester on Friday and the elation of hitting number eleven in the midweek album charts with their new album Protagonists, Ist Ist went intimate on Tuesday night with an outstore performance for Crash Records at Oporto in Leeds. Performing a fourteen song set from across their three albums, they reminded us of their earlier days in venues of this size with a raw intense performance in a crammed space.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Lala Hayden - Slice

Remember Anteros? Their one and only album When We Land was one of the greatest indie pop albums of our time. Then they disappeared. Now their front woman Laura Hayden is back, under the not so secretive pseudonym of Lala Hayden with Slice, the first track taken from an EP Girl Becomes that is out in May.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Lanterns On The Lake - String Theory

Lanterns On The Lake have today released String Theory, the second track to be taken from their forthcoming album Versions Of Us. Accompanied by a lyric video, the song muses over the existence of alternative versions of yourself in another world where fate dealt you a better hand and you made different life choices.

Inspiral Carpets - Manchester Albert Hall - 1st April 2023

Inspiral Carpets made an emotional return to Manchester for their first show there for seven and a half years since the passing of drummer Craig Gill. A hits-heavy set with a poignant tear-inducing surprise in the encore delighted a packed out Albert Hall who transmitted so much love to the band on what Clint Boon described as "one of the greatest nights of my life."

Ist Ist / Bandit / Dr Dr - Manchester Ritz - 31st March 2023

Ist Ist launched their third album Protagonists with their biggest headline show to date to over a thousand people at The Ritz in Manchester. Focusing heavily on the new record with old favourites to delight those they've picked up on their journey from the Night And Day to here, they made a triumphant statement of intent. Support came from Dr Dr and Bandit.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Wax-Tree-Cast - She

Wax-Tree-Cast release She, their first single of 2023, a tragic tale of a disabled younger sister being abused by an older sibling who's meant to be looking after her, a thought-provoking track with a twist.

Ist Ist - Protagonists

Ist Ist return with Protagonists, their third in three years, looking to capitalise on the chart successes of its predecessors and a raft of sold out dates across the UK and Europe. A linear progression from the previous albums, it's their strongest yet and a powerful statement from a band supremely confident in its own skin and direction.

Inspiral Carpets - Newcastle Boiler Shop - 24th March 2023

No one ever said it was going to be easy. When a good friend messaged me last autumn with the news that Inspiral Carpets would be touring this year, it came as a lovely surprise. It was unexpected, but welcome news and the prospect of seeing my favourite band again helped sustain me through a long winter. 

Self Esteem - Manchester Albert Hall - 23rd March 2023

Since the release of her Mercury Prize-nominated second album, Prioritise Pleasure, things have been nonstop for Rebecca Lucy Taylor (AKA Self Esteem). Having spent the majority of 2021 impressing on the live music and festival circuit, with career defining sets at Tramlines and Glastonbury, fan demand recently saw the Sheffield born singer-songwriter add a run of extra dates to her ’I Tour This All The Time’ tour – including a third night at Manchester’s Albert Hall, which made her the first artist not only to play, but to sell out three nights at the picturesque venue.

TRACK OF THE DAY : SKIES - Answer Now

SKIES return with their new single Answer Now, previewed at recent shows and the first taster of their debut album Is It All In Our Heads? that will come out later this year. 

Inspiral Carpets / Déjà Vega - Northampton Roadmender - 23rd March 2023

Inspiral Carpets made their return to the live stage after seven and a half years to promote their recent The Complete Singles collection. More importantly it was their first gig since losing drummer Craig Gill and they paid a fitting tribute to their friend.

TRACK OF THE DAY : James - She's A Star (Orchestral Version)

James have today announced full details of their Be Opened By The Wonderful - 40 Years Orchestrated album and revealed the first track to be taken from it, a version of their 1997 Top 10 single She's A Star. The album, recorded with Joe Duddell and a twenty-two piece orchestra and eight-person choir, includes twenty tracks from across their career including a brand new song Love Make A Fool and is released on June 9th after James complete a fifteen-date UK tour with orchestra and choir.

Brand New Legs / The Redroom / The Basement Collective - Manchester Night And Day - 21st March 2023

Brand New Legs launched their new EP Basement View with a packed out show at Manchester's Night And Day Cafe on Tuesday night, playing the EP in full, early singles, some unreleased material and a couple of showstopping covers. Support came from the equally impressive The Redroom and The Basement Collective.

The Strangerz / Diekaidie / Horse Mouth - Manchester Castle Hotel - 19th March 2023

The Strangerz celebrated the release of their new single Hit The Ground with a packed out show at The Castle on Sunday night, debuting new songs and confirming their position as the most exciting new band in town. Support came from Diekaidie and Horse Mouth.

SKIES / Daisy Valentine - Manchester 33 Oldham Street - 18th March 2023

SKIES returned to Manchester for the first time in over a year for a sold out headline show at 33 Oldham Street, giving us a teasing first view of their forthcoming debut album as well as delighting the crowd with a set rammed full of old favourites. Support came from a solo slot from Daisy Valentine.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Strangerz - Hit The Ground

 

Hit The Ground is the third single from Manchester via Doncaster punk quarter The Strangerz. Describing themselves as "alternative, shouty feminist and punky with a modern twist", the single deals in the relatable urge to lie in bed and never move again.

The Slow Readers Club / Andrew Cushin - Manchester Albert Hall - 17th March 2023

The Slow Readers Club finished off their UK tour in support of their sixth album Knowledge Freedom Power with a sold-out hometown show at Manchester's Albert Hall, their first big Manchester show for three years. Playing a career-spanning set they reminded the city why they're one of the most important bands to emerge from here in recent times as an adoring audience hung on every word and note for an hour and a half.

Inspiral Carpets - The Complete Singles

To accompany their massive tour Inspiral Carpets release the most definitive and complete collection of their singles on a remastered double vinyl album and a 3 CD set with a whole host of classic and new remixes.

Lauren Ruth Ward / NXDIA - Manchester The Yard - 11th March 2023

Lauren Ruth Ward opened up her European tour on Saturday night at The Yard in Manchester. With a set split in two - the first half solo, the second accompanied by guitarist Lisa - she delighted a crowd that hung on every word of her deeply personal songs. Support came from an acoustic set by NXDIA.

Suede / Desperate Journalist - Manchester Albert Hall - 9th March 2023

Suede brought their sold out tour in support of last year's inspirational Autofiction album to Manchester Albert Hall on Thursday night. Mixing most of the album with both some of their biggest hits and some deep b-side cuts from their illustrious past they delighted an enthusiastic and euphoric crowd who hung on Brett Anderson's every word and move. Support came from Desperate Journalist.

The Slow Readers Club - Glasgow SWG3 / Aberdeen Lemon Tree - 6th/7th March 2023

In support of exceptional new album Knowledge Freedom Power, Manchester’s The Slow Readers Club visited Scotland earlier in the week for a double header, turning cold nights into massed celebrations. Stuart Ralston braved the snow and cold to report back from Glasgow and Aberdeen.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Ist Ist - Nothing More Nothing Less

As they jet off to Austin for their debut visit to SXSW, Ist Ist have today released Nothing More Nothing Less, the fourth single and the final one to be taken from their third album Protagonists ahead of its release on March 31st. To coincide with this, they've also announced two outstore shows in Leeds and Kingston in release week to accompany their biggest ever headline show at Manchester Ritz on release day.

Déjà Vega - Interview

Ahead of their UK tour that kicks off this Friday at the Brudenell in Leeds we caught up with Déjà Vega for a chat about their recent first international show, venues they're looking forward to playing at, touring with Inspiral Carpets and plans for album three.

The Slow Readers Club / Andrew Cushin - Leeds Stylus - 4th March 2023

The Slow Readers Club opened up their UK tour in support of their Top 30 album Knowledge Freedom Power with a packed out show at Stylus in Leeds on Saturday night. Mixing tracks from the new record with favourites from across their extensive back catalogue they delighted a crowd made up of a mix of Readers veterans and new fans. Support came from Newcastle's charismatic Andrew Cushin, serving his apprenticeship before he headlines venues of this size and bigger in the not too distant future.