At Manchester’s Apollo, Vancouver-based HANNAH GEORGAS is greeted by a massive crowd gathered for a smash-out lineup including fellow-Canadian headliner CITY AND COLOUR. North American accents fill the venue and surround the bars, and as Hannah breaks in to opening track Enemies, the front rows are already singing along. Continue reading HANNAH GEORGAS turns heads in Manchester →

At the end of January, we had the pleasure of meeting up again with 2013 Juno-nominated Canadian singer-songwriter HANNAH GEORGAS this time at Manchester’s Apollo venue. Last seen in the city performing an intimate stripped-down show at Takk cafe, Hannah was this time supporting fellow Canadian CITY AND COLOUR to a massive crowd. Here are our photos of Hannah backstage at the legendary venue, taken by our resident star photographer SINEAD MARIE. Continue reading HANNAH GEORGAS Photo Shoot backstage in Manchester →

LINDI ORTEGA is trying to keep warm by switching on the kitchen hob as we arrive backstage at Manchester’s Deaf Institute to have a chat ahead of her headline show at the renowned venue. Continue reading LINDI ORTEGA: digging up the dead and riding high in Manchester →

DEACON BLUE are more than just a band – they’re icons. Having produced in 1987 one of the best albums ever made, they have long firmly held the hearts of their many fans, not least those who have a soft spot for Glasgow and other dark rainy towns. It’s hard to believe that it’s 26 years since their debut Raintown first hit my ears and remained in my tape-deck for months on end. Continue reading DEACON BLUE in Manchester: Iconic band with true dignity →

Our roving Tokyo report and photographer NAT OLIVE caught Toronto band AUSTRA at the fantastic HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER and took these intimate shots of the band soaking up the Tokyo vibes. Continue reading AUSTRA backstage photo shoot in Tokyo →

We’re back at the industrial-chic Manchester venue Gorilla for a fascinating lineup: three British bands DUOLOGUE, NYPC and FENECH-SOLER are about to appear, in that order. Continue reading FENECH-SOLER and NYPC meet Gorilla →

It’s Bonfire Night but we’re not standing outside wrapped up in a chilly field watching fires burn and colours light up the sky – we’re at Manchester’s Club Academy to witness a whole different set of fireworks. In a basement, surrounding by a real hotchpotch of people, we’re here for this very special night with LA’s red hot band DEAP VALLY, aka guitarist Lindsey Troy and drummer Julie Edwards. Continue reading DEAP VALLY – the women of intention who tamed Manchester →

Walking down the sloping aisles of the Royal Northern College of Music theatre, espying the impressive array of instruments on the stage awaiting the audience, a sense of occasion wafts over me on this blustery Friday night in Manchester. Glasgow’s EDDI READER is in town to remind us why she’s one of the best singers and multi-instrumentalists to ever emerge from the UK. Having seen FAIRGROUND ATTRACTION perform way back in the day when their stunning 1988 debut album First of A Million Kisses was doing the rounds and went on to win a best album BRIT (an incredible 25 years ago), I’ve since seen Reader perform solo several times Continue reading Vagabonding with EDDI READER in Manchester →

This much-hyped and long-anticipated Steven Soderbergh TV film (HBO) about Liberace has received multiple rave reviews. Adapted from an exposé book written by ex-boyfriend Scott Thorson, who following their broken relationship went on to sue Liberace in part for palimony. As Soderbergh’s reportedly last feature film ever, BEHIND THE CANDELABRA appeared to be a suitable end to his feature run and a rich homage to the great musical legend, but regardless of the film’s high acclaim, I wanted to view the film on its own merits. Continue reading TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2013 – Day 6: Behind the Candelabra →

KATE NASH is reaching the end of her UK tour, and she’s ending it on a high here in Manchester, where she has a loyal following. About three-quarters full, the venue is the perfect size for this Nash night out. A mix of eager students, fans young and older are packed towards the front barrier, and as Kate’s trademark “You Don’t Own Me” intro comes wafting over the speakers, screams emanate from the crowds. Kate’s incredible all-female backing band traditionally emerge first, this time dressed in black sparkly outfits, abandoning the notably cooler grunge-rock look we saw earlier in the year at Gorilla. Continue reading KATE NASH closes UK tour in Manchester but doesn’t want it to end →

At the cosy TAKK café in Manchester’s trendy Northern Quarter, I’m here to meet Vancouver-based Canadian singer-songwriter HANNAH GEORGAS. Continue reading HANNAH GEORGAS reaches new heights in Manchester →

As MÉLANIE PAIN struggles with traditionally nightmarish Friday afternoon traffic, we settle in at Manchester’s Deaf Institute and wait for the French singer-songwriter who is returning to celebrate the imminent release of “Bye Bye Manchester.” With a genuine attachment to the city where she chose to spend a couple months writing the album, she’s back in town and eager to reconnect with her muse. Continue reading MÉLANIE PAIN is reunited with Manchester in time for album release →

Manchester burlesque performer CHERIE BEBE has secured herself a monthly spot at Thomas Restaurant & Bar in the heart of Manchester’s hipster Northern Quarter. Cherie gave two jaw-dropping performances at our PUSSY RIOT REVOLUTION FESTIVAL (see photos of Cherie) last month and her community spirit is also visible at her regular BURLESQUE REVUE tonight. Continue reading CHERIE BEBE gets pulses racing at Manchester burlesque revue →

EMILIE AUTUMN is a powerhouse of hands-on creativity and career ambition. On meeting her backstage before her Manchester Ritz show, this observation is quickly confirmed. She’s been through a lot personally, and she describes to us her turning point in life and her reasons for moving forwards through adverse circumstances to build a life “from scratch” which she is now proud of and fiercely protects. She’s also sensibly chosen a fantastic manager she works closely with to achieve her goals. One such goal is the 3-hour musical that she’s aiming to fire at London’s West End towards the end of next year. High ambitions indeed, and we love her for them. Continue reading EMILIE AUTUMN – live and unleashed at Manchester’s Ritz →

KATE NASH wowed the Manchester crowds back in April of this year, and she’s back in town with her uber-talented all-female backing band. The Manchester Pride programme includes a photo of her pre-riot grrrl and a more recent photo – an image evolution which is raising a lot of eyebrows for those Pride punters who have yet to see her transformation into what the more in-the-know observers claim to be “who she always was and wanted to be.” For those who haven’t yet figured out that what they are about to witness on the main arena stage is not the “Foundations” girl of old are in for a real treat. Continue reading KATE NASH band stuns Manchester Pride crowds →