The Sahara, not as dry as I thought… I’m surprised to say it’s my first time at the Antwerp Mansion; as such we made a slight error by trying to get in the wrong door. A little wander around – not quiet far enough to find the entrance – and we decided to knock, one [...]

Initially feeling slightly out of my element here, I warmed up pretty quickly and even had a little mosh in the end. I stayed clear of the pit action though, something tells me it’s not advisable to join in with a pen in your hand. We arrived just in time to join Jucifer on the [...]

For those of you who are anticipating this review. Good on you. This is the type of event that should be more prominent in the music world lately.Offering a line-up of giddy talent and mixed musicians, the Communion label has spread its wings even further. The decision to include Manchester in their plans is a very [...]

If only every time you pressed play Spectorbullets shot out of my speakers I’d be content. Like Bob Dylan just turned his hand to gypsy jazz. The odd track that you think you’ve  got a handle on like Deadliest Room on the Block, entices you in, only to spin you into their pleasantly strange world. Truly inspirational [...]

Suck the life is the debut four track EP from the new look Deaf Sirens. They were once a promising acoustic five piece, which at the time I was very impressed with and wanted to see what else they could achieve. With a lot of hard work as well as re-jigging the line up they [...]

This was one of the strongest NME tour awards I have attended in a while in Manchester and this was highlighted by the sold out crowd. There was a tremendous atmosphere and the range of ages was apparent from the very young to the not so young. (So I am not labelled as ageist) Each [...]

Only nine days removed from my last visit to Manchester’s HMV Ritz, I slipped inside the venue, evading a notably dreary night out on Oxford Road. Within minutes I was greeted with a relaxed atmosphere seldom encountered at gigs. The place was beginning to fill up when Howard’s touring support, Daughter stepped up. It’s always [...]

Romantic, misanthropic, up-beat, down-beat and melodies. Five words that some up Spector. Their words, not mine. So, let’s give them a venue in the shape of Manchester’s Deaf Institute and allow these words of colloquy to season shall we… Apparently our only hope of British guitar music will derive from theses guys this year. Something that I’d be swung to [...]

Little brother Liam threw down the gauntlet. Big brother Noel picked it up, ripped it in two, assembled High Flying Birds and created a rare second bite of a rock ‘n’ roll cherry. As Noel heads home to the Manchester Arena, there are curious concerns about his Oasis past. With big boots to fill, the mastermind [...]

What you may, or may not know about Thirty One at this moment in time is irrelevant. However, by the time you’ve finished reading this piece, hopefully it will tender to emotion. Thirty One is a collection of tracks from Manchester, featuring rare and exclusive songs from both established and emerging acts. With Dave Haslam at [...]