John Smith – Gatherings: Album Review
Re-recordings of old tunes from gravel-voiced songsmith, John Smith, sheds fresh light on concert favourites.
Novelty Island – Jigsaw Causeway: Album Review
“Stitched together like the fragments of a dream.” Liverpool songwriter Tom O’Connell -aka Novelty Island – presents a painstakingly-assembled collage of sounds.
Disturbed w/ Megadeth – Utilita Arena, Birmingham: Live Review
Disturbed and Megadeth roll into Birmingham as veteran bands ready to rock. Disturbed are celebrating 25 years of The Sickness.
Martin McAloon – Artisan Tap, Stoke: Live Review
We’re at Stoke’s Artisan Tap for an evening with Martin McAloon of Prefab Sprout, celebrating 40 years of Steve McQueen.
Howard Jones – Steinway, London: ‘Live’ Review
Howard Jones becomes the virtuoso in your drawing room from 1000km away with a demo of some new Steinway technology.
Fairport Convention, Autumn Tour – The Met, Bury: Live!
We’re at the regular hunting ground of The Met for our first encounter with the Fairport Convention Autumn tour.
Seth Lakeman Trio – The Granite Way around the North West: Live!
“Just a fan Alan.” We take in the four gig leg of the Seth Lakeman tour around the North West.
Larkin Poe w/ Son Little – Manchester Academy: Live Review
Larkin Poe kick off their Bloom tour of the UK and Europe in rip roaring fashion fashion. Support comes from the equally stellar Son Little.
Gaz Brookfield – Waiting For Wisdom: Album Review
Folk-punk stalwart, Gaz Brookfield, eyes incipient middle age in 10th studio album with typical catchy tunes about difficult issues.
Pelican Babies – Judas Goats: EP Review
Folk duo, Pelican Babies, release Judas Goats. Three tracks mixing mild protest song and innovative and delightful melancholic folk.
Idlewild – Idlewild: Album Review
Idlewild return with their self-titled tenth album, arriving not as a nostalgic cash-in, but as a poignant, reflective flag in the turf.
LYVIA – Manchester Academy 3: Live Review
Nottingham-based singer-songwriter, LYVIA, stops off at Manchester Academy 3 for The Honey I’m Home Tour.
Damien O’Kane & Ron Block Band – Band On The Wall, Manchester: Live!
Banjos get real. An evening of banjoviality with the Damien O’Kane & Ron Block band at Manchester’s Band On The Wall.
Militarie Gun – God Save The Gun: Album Review
Melodic hardcore outfit, Militarie Gun, fire on all cylinders throughout the entirety of God Save The Gun.
Josienne Clarke – Far From Nowhere: Album Review
Somewhere, deep in the forest, something stirs as the analogue Clarke delights.