Kate Rusby – Holly Head: Album Review
As seasonal as the turkey and trimmings, there’s a new Kate Rusby Christmas album, Holly Head.
Mike Ainscoe
Mike has been photographing and writing about bands going back many years. A former writer and Reviews Editor on Louder Than War as well as several online music blogs, he also contributes to Fireworks and to Powerplay Rock & Metal magazines.
The Pineapple Thief – Hold Our Fire: Album Review
Success breeds success. Building on the triumph of Dissolution and a flowering solo career, Bruce Soord and his men bring us a live album that’s worth its salt.
Ghost – First Direct Arena, Leeds: Live Review
The Cardinal knows how to ramp up the crowd as Ghost bring their stunning show to a town that’s done their share in supporting the rise of the Swedish mask-wearing pop-rockers.
Harp & A Monkey – The Victorians: Album Review
Channeling some fascinating songs from the Victorian era, Harp & A Monkey follow up War Stories with another fine collection of engaging tales.
Leprous – Manchester Academy 2: Live Review
Leprous bring their Pitfalls album to stunning life in one of only two UK shows. Naturally, we were there, at the barrier.
June Tabor & Oysterband – Royal Northern College Of Music, Manchester: Live Review
A legendary combination back together on the Fire & Fleet tour. We catch June Tabor and Oysterband at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music.
The On Track series: Book Review
The next batch of releases in the On Track (‘Every album, every song’) series looks at the contrasting outputs of the Metal Gods, a decade of Sir Elton, The Moody Blues and the enigmatic Frank Zappa.
The Flower Kings – Waiting For Miracles: Album Review
Roine Stolt and his Flower King colleagues are back with a return to traditional values on Waiting For Miracles.
Luke Jackson – Journals: Album Review
After first encountering Luke Jackson as a teenager, he’s now striking out with his fifth album at the grand old age of twenty five.
Slow Readers Club – Live At O2 Apollo, Manchester: Album Review
“A dream come true.” A rather special homecoming, commemorated in audio-visual form to keep forever. You can tell your grandkids, “I was there” and even spot (or hear) yourself in the audience.
Bird In The Belly – Neighbours And Sisters: Album Review
The Brighton folksters delight in delving deep into the folk tradition. Going places where few rarely go, Neighbours And Sisters follows up the 2018 Sunday Express Album Of The Year, The Crowing.
Long Distance Calling – Stummfilm (live from Hamburg): Album Review
Experimental instrumental prog/post rock giants Long Distance Calling go the whole hog on the souvenir record of an audio-visual live extravaganza.
Big Big Train – Victoria Theatre, Halifax: Live Review
We catch up with the first Big Big Train tour at Halifax’s Victoria Theatre – a grand performance on the Grand Tour.
Marillion – Afraid Of Sunlight deluxe edition: album review
Marillion are emerging as a worthy challenger to Jethro Tull in the spectacular re-issue series stakes. Afraid Of Sunlight hits the same sweet spot.
Black Star Riders, Stone Broken, Wayward Sons – The Ritz, Manchester: Live Review
Black Star Riders, Stone Broken and Wayward Sons in a triple bill hard rock extravaganza at Manchester Ritz. We were there!