Every ANI DIFRANCO show is memorable. Her loyal fanbase will attest to the fact that no matter what album she’s working on at the time, whatever its flavour and content, the Little Folksinger as she’s come to be affectionately known delivers each time and reminds us that we’re in the presence of greatness and inspiration. Always one to experiment with her music and lyrics, pushing boundaries where we may not even realise boundaries exist, she also rarely misses a chance to voice her political and social concerns from the stage. All of this makes her not only one of the most valued living songwriters and guitar-players in music history, but also a hugely significant and sometimes controversial cultural figure. Continue reading ANI DIFRANCO: ALLERGIC TO WATER in MANCHESTER & LONDON →

I knew I would love THE BEACHES even before I arrived at LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY 2014. From their interviews and tracks, I already wanted their album, and as I far as I was concerned, this was one of the more exciting bands to join the festival lineup. Continue reading LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY – THE BEACHES →

The sound has been pretty good at the East Village Arts Club playing host to a number of excellent bands at LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY 2014. So, I don’t know what’s happening during the SEPTEMBER GIRLS set on the Saturday of the festival. The engineering is all a bit clunky, but the band do their best to cope with some annoying mic issues. Continue reading LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY – SEPTEMBER GIRLS →

There are not many bands I would do this for: a bit of a running joke within our team at Liverpool Sound City, “The hunt for Hero Fisher” kept us very busy one day. Tipped off by a colleague that this was one to watch, we fully intend to see Hero Fisher perform in Liverpool, but due to traffic, we just miss her and spend quite a few hours trawling the streets and venues asking if people had seen HERO FISHER. Continue reading The hunt for HERO FISHER →

THE WITCH HUNT’s Louisa Osborn, Chris Mulligan and Ste Anderson have been gathering buzz and now they’re geared up and ready to smash the Uni Stylus stage as part of LIVE AT LEEDS 2014. It’s the biggest stage I’ve seen them on and I’m in no doubt that they are going to fill it out nicely. Continue reading THE WITCH HUNT impress at LIVE AT LEEDS festival →

Natalie Findlay is always good value live. You know what you’re going to get, and each time you get it, it’s rawer and sexier, the vocals are searing and the attitude is biting. Tonight, she’s performing at Zanzibar as part of LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY 2014, and you couldn’t ask for a better venue for this 150% performer – a pokey bar with great character and a low stage. Thanks to a perfect set time of just past midnight on a Friday night, we’re all packed tightly in here, already sweating and ready to take on the live wire that is FINDLAY. Continue reading LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY – FINDLAY →

Liverpool-based SOUTHERN have a little buzz following them. Folk-rock with a heavy dash of bluegrass is what we’re expecting from this brother-sister duo, accompanied tonight by a drummer and bass player at Leaf Café as part of LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY 2014. I’m intrigued by the sounds that Thom and Lucy Southern are producing, and frankly just looking forward to hearing something other than the all-too-common indie or psychedelic rock that pervades the UK industry. Continue reading LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY – SOUTHERN →

WOLF ALICE have been gathering momentum since we saw them last year. The East Village Arts Club is filling up nicely to welcome the London four-piece led by Ellie Rowsell. Looking around, this band have definitely captured the student market as the venue hosting acts for LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY 2014 begins to resemble a busy student union. Continue reading LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY – WOLF ALICE →

One performer at LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY 2014 that I’m particularly excited to see is PAWWS – the alter ego for Lucy Taylor and her band. Having worked previously with Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke and MGMT, as well as being a classically trained pianist and flautist, Lucy’s now putting out her own tracks and the standard is very high indeed. Continue reading LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY – PAWWS →

We’re big fans of London’s STRANGERS, so it’s a real pleasure to be able to catch up with them again at LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY 2014. With some of the best electro tracks coming out of this country, the still criminally underrated band are appearing as a duo tonight at the rather strange choice of venue of Brooklyn Mixer which does not offer the best sound system but just about makes up for this in atmosphere. Continue reading LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY – STRANGERS →

Off the back of their self-titled fourth album, Brighton duo BLOOD RED SHOES are in town and a hotly anticipated act at LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY 2014. Appearing at a stupidly late time on a weekday, past 1am on the Duke Street Garage pop-up venue lineup, the venue is only half to three-quarters full. This doesn’t put die-hard fans off, as they are committed and already swarming towards the stage before Laura-Mary Carter and Steven Ansell enter to rapturous applause. Continue reading LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY – BLOOD RED SHOES →

We kick off our LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY experience with the phenomenal COURTNEY BARNETT. As we arrive at the Zanzibar venue, the crowds are packing in all the way back to the main door as we anticipate arguably one of the biggest buzz names of the festival. With her deadpan delivery and standout tunes, she’s about to face an energised crowd who are keen to see what all the fuss is surrounding this Australian singer-songwriter. Continue reading LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY – COURTNEY BARNETT →

Leeds’ BATTLE LINES are gathering steam having returned from a spin at SXSW in Austin, Texas, and having recently released their 7″ Colonies.

Crashing the stage at Mello Mello as part of LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY 2014, the four-piece exit the stage to fans and supporters (including Alice Scott, bass player for another Leeds band POST WAR GLAMOUR GIRLS) congratulating them on their set. Continue reading BATTLE LINES mobilise at LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY – portraits of Carly Humphries →

ESPER SCOUT are somewhat of a phenomenon. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, the four-piece are gathering buzz in Leeds and beyond. Listen to the recordings, watch the videos, talk to them, and you know that there’s something magical going on with Rebecca Jane, Sarah Statham, Lou Brinn and Kirsty Morton. We have a determined and innovative band in our midst, and that is something to celebrate. Continue reading ESPER SCOUT: Leeds stage-smashers →

SHONEN KNIFE are celebrating their 33 years with new album Overdrive, and have been touring the UK and Ireland to a host of loyal fans, old and new. Championed by Kurt Cobain (“When I finally got to see them live, I was transformed into a hysterical nine-year-old girl at a Beatles concert.”), and having shared the stage with the likes of Nirvana and Sonic Youth, Shonen Knife has evolved its lineup over the years and has quite rightly maintained its reputation as one of the most enigmatic, fun and technically tight bands to see live. Continue reading SHONEN KNIFE on Overdrive across the UK →

On Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August 2014, KRAAK venue in Manchester UK will play host to two days of celebrating female strength in musicianship and live performance as the ECLECTICA PROJECT launch event takes place over that weekend. The Eclectica team will present live music, DJs and guest speakers from across the UK and beyond, to officially introduce this new project designed to advocate equality for women and minorities in all industries. Continue reading ECLECTICA PROJECT launch 2-day event in Manchester: First wave of acts announced →