Sydney band THE JEZABELS are back in the UK to tour their new album The Brink. Headlining one of Manchester’s coolest venues, Gorilla, they’re excited tonight to play the new tracks to their fans. Continue reading Spinning again with THE JEZABELS in Manchester →

Annie Clark is arriving in Manchester with quite a bit of buzz firmly behind her. The artist otherwise known as ST VINCENT has sold out Manchester Cathedral, with fans who missed out desperately scrabbling around for spare tickets. Continue reading ST VINCENT: Art-rock queen rules over Manchester →

It’s a special night in Manchester – in fact, it’s a special month as KODO returns to the UK after a far too lengthy 4-year gap. The world-famous Japanese drumming circle is touring Europe with what many have touted as its most ambitious show to date: Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Legend. Their new artistic director, the Kabuki icon and Living National Treasure TAMASABURO BANDO, is taking the troupe in a new direction, and the feedback so far has been positive despite concerns within the camp about the reinvention. Continue reading KODO: bringing Japan’s Sado Island culture to Manchester →

Brooklyn’s alternative rock kings THE NATIONAL were headliners at day two of HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER in Tokyo, in the midst of their extensive worldwide tour. Continue reading TOKYO HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER – THE NATIONAL →

LA four-piece WARPAINT were up next at HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER, and they proceeded to get fans moving with a dark and broody rock performance. Continue reading TOKYO HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER – WARPAINT →

UK’s KING KRULE was the third act at Sunday’s HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER, and they were a breath of fresh air in terms of a visually engaging show. Continue reading TOKYO HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER – KING KRULE →

YOUTH LAGOON was the next act fans were treated to on Day 2 of HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER. They opened with the dreamy tones of Mute, the second track from latest album Wondrous Bughouse, and the audience was instantly smitten. Continue reading TOKYO HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER – YOUTH LAGOON →

Brooklyn’s BUKE AND GASE were the opening act for HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER in Tokyo on Sunday. Continue reading TOKYO HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER – BUKE AND GASE →

The third Scottish act for the day and headliner for HOSTESS CLUB WEEKEND on Saturday, MOGWAI drew a jam-packed crowd to Studio Coast in Tokyo. Continue reading TOKYO HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER – MOGWAI →

CHVRCHES were up next, playing their third Japan date for 2014 at HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER on Saturday after headlining shows in Tokyo and Osaka. Continue reading TOKYO HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER – CHVRCHES →

Next up at HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER in Tokyo on Saturday was UK’s adored indie-folk trio DAUGHTER. The last time we caught Daughter was during their last stint in Japan at 2013’s Fuji Rock Festival in Niigata, and the group were ecstatic to be back in the country, graciously thanking the audience throughout their set. Continue reading TOKYO HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER – DAUGHTER →

Second on the HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER lineup is melodic-folk wunderkind ÁSGEIR, playing his first Japan show ever in a full-band setup Continue reading TOKYO HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER – ÁSGEIR →

The opening act for the first HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER of 2014 at the massive Shin-Kiba venue Studio Coast is Glasgow’s ERRORS Continue reading TOKYO HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER – ERRORS →

It was a stunning Scottish showcase at Ebisu Liquidroom last Wednesday night, with Glasgow outfit CHVRCHES supported by ERRORS in an electro-fuelled dance party to be remembered. Continue reading CHVRCHES and ERRORS: Scotland meets Tokyo →

Three-time Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter SHAWN COLVIN is back in the UK. Born in South Dakota, the American Lilith Fair icon released her eighth studio album All Fall Down in 2012, and has now joined the ranks of TRANSATLANTIC SESSIONS musicians for their latest tour. I’m here today to savour the 17-strong lineup on their final date at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. Continue reading SHAWN COLVIN shines at Transatlantic Sessions in Manchester →

Hot off the back of her Celtic Connections show in Glasgow, Scotland’s RACHEL SERMANNI is back in the north of England and has a new EP out. Recorded in New York, but developed originally in her hometown of Carrbridge up in the Highlands, the record is a suitable extension to must-own debut album Under Mountains in 2012, and title track Everything Changes is a striking addition to the Sermanni collection. Things are moving surely and steadily for the busy 22-year old. Continue reading RACHEL SERMANNI reminds us that Everything Changes →