Alice Merton released her debut album in January 2019, it’s a powerful mix of personal and relatable music that acts as a vibrant beacon for the artist to tell her story. Through emotionally-succinct and intensely rhythmic means, ‘Mint’ wields a strong sense of defiant resilience and upbeat motivation. It’s a record to embrace fully, or […]
Having previously made a mark as part of art-rock outfit WU LYF, Manchester’s Tom McClung (aka. Francis Lung) now steps out on his own with new release, ‘I Wanna Live In My Dreams.’ Having spent time honing his craft via two well received home-recorded EP’s, this is his first single since signing to the prestigious […]
Ambition is always something to be admired in a young, up-and-coming band, and this new EP from Manchester-based trio Too Cool Kid is nothing but ambitious. It comes as close to a concept album as an EP can, and it is accompanied by a series of connecting videos, directed by Ola El Awadly, adding another […]
Both Talkboy and Another Sky delivered fantastic, captivating, and highly varied sets. If you don’t feel remotely curious about the details, best clock out now, because really anything else I write is gonna be elaboration on how excellent the gig was. However, if your eyelids are still twitching for more detail, follow me into this […]
Far flung from the Hollywood veneer of excess and superficiality, this Los Angeles native has an earthiness of spirit that warms the soul, a soft demeanour hiding a fire within, a strength of character that inspires rather than simply attracts: Jesse Jo Stark is a musician of the next generation with respect for the past […]
Two creative institutions are teaming up to host a festive shindig of unforgettable live entertainment and innovative vision: Manchester-based powerhouse, Scruff of the Neck and London-hailing tastemakers, Distiller Music. The collaboration configures a stellar light bulb moment, connecting a pair of prominent music venues with a bill of artists, noteworthy and compelling.
2018’s edition of Off The Record underlined the festival’s fast-growing reputation as a key catalyst for spreading the awareness of and celebrating new music, with the conference taking place throughout the day on Friday 16th November and artists performing way into the night.
It’s not often you see indie pop described as ‘interesting’ – but Kawala is a band to which it applies well. A vocal and strong acoustic core is amplified by afrobeat-infused drums, rhythmic bass and electric hooks, allowing for a beautifully layered listen.
Primed to leap across the pond and bring his self described ‘sad and loud’ music to Europe once again, we caught up with Sam Fender backstage at his sold out Manchester Soup Kitchen show to talk milestones, writers, and the great scran you get on European tour riders.
The type of artists I am drawn to interviewing are those I watch live and want to run up to after (or perhaps rebelliously, during) the set and ask ‘just how do you do that?’.
In Britain, it’s traditional to go see fireworks on November 5th, so that’s exactly what I did. Those fireworks, though more metaphorical than literal, were set off by rising star Sam Fender, embarking on the sixth date of his current UK tour, hot off the back of singles Dead Boys and That Sound. He and his band packed out […]
Manchester artist Caoilfhionn Rose unveiled her debut album Awaken on the 12th of October, 2018. Respected label Gondwana Records has the privilege of releasing the work, after a couple of years in development the collaboration finally reached its fruition when Rose and Gondwana’s Matthew Halsall connected in the studio. They were introduced serendipitously, Rose’s father […]
Music is deeply rooted in Gothenburg singer, songwriter and musician Albin Lee Meldau’s life history, his parents both have their own connections to music making and Albin himself has been working professionally for many years. Releasing his debut album earlier in 2018, ‘About You’ offers a rich yet candid portion of Meldau’s immersive artistry.
This year’s Neighbourhood gathering brought epic highs and communal revelry to Manchester’s city streets and venues. The third edition of the festival installs Neighbourhood as a burgeoning institution, the music day out raises the bar with each consecutive outing defining a savvy brand, strongly engineered and thoughtfully delivered.
The name Spector lives on, the band has coined many great one liners and in turn has spawned many great conversations, songs like Chevy Thunder and All the Sad Young Men are conquering anthems that reflect back the fleeting permanence of youth. Since their second album ‘Moth Boys’ in 2015, the only bit of music the […]
As the leaves start to turn and Autumn begins to roll in, Manchester is set to come alive, for Neighbourhood Festival – the multi-venue, live performance spectacular – returns to city centre promenades on Saturday 6th October. For its largest presentation yet, the one-dayer will bring together over 100 performers to take to stages across […]
Alice Merton released her breakthrough hit ‘No Roots’ in December of 2016, the debut song received a startling reaction from audiences across the globe—earning platinum sales statuses in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy and Poland, and achieving the number one spot in Billboard’s US Alternative chart (just a few of the many well-deserving accolades that […]
For a festival dedicated by name to the confines of one sub-genre, an attendee could be forgiven without question for the anxieties provoked by a line-up lacking in eclecticism or an audience exclusive and ostracising of the outsider. Manchester Psych Fest 2018 annihilated these fears.
Returning for its sixth year, it is once again the turn of Manchester Psych Fest to sway musical attentions in the direction of the dizzying colour-culture of the Manchester psychedelic scene.
Following years of formative experience and creative progression, Manchester artist and songwriter Caoilfhionn Rose is ready to release her debut album. The song to introduce Rose, is title track Awaken: a languid folk daydreamer of rhythmic psychedelia.