In the Quays Theatre, nestled in the rear of Salford’s architecturally striking Lowry Centre, a seated audience prepares for Dundee’s RICKY ROSS. There’s a palpable sense of intrigue among the patrons as they wait for the DEACON BLUE frontman’s “Untold Stories” show, a gig which promises to shed light on Ross’ songwriting inspirations and processes for both his solo and band work. Continue reading Crowds come looking for RICKY ROSS at The Lowry →

Crammed into the somewhat fragrant Ritz in central Manchester on a windswept Thursday night, the crowds are at maximum excitement levels even before the room fills up. Given the sell-out line-up this evening however, you could hardly blame them.

LAURA MVULA is up first, tonight flanked by a flurry of musicians, including a cellist and a harp player. Her presence follows the very recent release of her debut LP “Sing to the Moon” which has been attracting a lot of attention throughout the music press. Continue reading LAURA MVULA and JESSIE WARE: power voices of 2013 →

Almost 20 years after their formation in Reykjavik in 1994, SIGUR ROS‘ current tour finds the band in something of a transitional phase. It follows the beautiful yet somewhat untourable album “Valtari” and precedes the recently announced 7th LP (provisionally known simply as “SR7”) – this of course holds the intoxicating promise of new material being played here at Manchester’s packed O2 Apollo. Continue reading SIGUR ROS bewitch Manchester →

Originally the brainchild of Adele Emmas, and having gone through some transitions, BIRD is now graced with a comfortable landing thanks to the addition of Sian Williams, creating this highly synchronized pairing. The duo, who have recently supported the likes of PINS and Tim Burgess, tonight find themselves in Manchester’s charming Castle Hotel, halfway through a 15-date headline tour.

It’s an eager crowd that greets the trio (the band are tonight blessed with additional drum support) onto the tiny stage, following able support from folk-singer Rachel Hillary. Continue reading BIRD cast spells over The Castle crowds →

“Our tendons have atrophied. We’re not as young and agile as we used to be, this next one’s a slow one…”

That this quote was almost believable is a testament to the longevity of DINOSAUR JR, and their influential take on alt-rock. That it was followed by a brutal version of “Training Ground” – a punk-flecked song from DJr lead singer J Mascis and Lou Barlow’s previous band Deep Wound – showed how this is a band that can still show upstarts today how it’s done live. Continue reading DINOSAUR JR rock the Ritz to the ground →

Down the stairs and tucked away into the corner of one of Manchester’s best small venues – the Soup Kitchen – there is a bubbling sense of anticipation and an air of consensus that the sizeable crowd are going to witness something special.  This is because the couple of hundred patrons that have crammed themselves into this fantastic space have gathered to see FINDLAY. Continue reading FINDLAY becomes Manchester’s Sweetheart →

Hidden away from plain view on a rubbish-strewn industrial estate, Manchester’s Fuhrer Bunker would easily be missed by the untrained eye. However, once you’ve negotiated your way there, you realise that it’s one of the best-kept secrets in the city. The Bunker is a shell of an old Victorian-era industrial building – its most arresting feature the wooden cage sat in the middle of the main room. This is where the bands play. There’s no stage, barely any lights, and nothing between the crowd and the performers but a latticework of wooden beams. Continue reading PINS bust open the Fuhrer Bunker cage once again →

“We’ve gone industrial!” exclaims Sophie Gug, one half of Salford goth-pop duo DIE HEXEN who on this particular afternoon have found themselves tucked into a corner of Manchester’s Travelling Man comic book shop. No need, however, to fear that they’ve undergone a massively unexpected change in direction. The reason for this peculiar statement is purely technical – the speakers are crackling and fizzing… an unfortunate side-effect of the PA setup.

Continue reading DIE HEXEN: experimental ambition at its very best →

Tucked away from the bitingly cold streets and playing host to the sun-soaked sounds of MOLOTOV JUKEBOX, Manchester Club Academy promised to offer respite from the bleak winter descending outside. And with a packed 4-band line-up, it was a promise that had every chance of being kept.

Continue reading Manchester laps up MOLOTOV JUKEBOX’s festive juices →