Live Review: Big Thief – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London 02.03.2022
Looking like they’ve lost their way searching for The Emerald City the four disparate characters on stage tonight are Big Thief. The Brooklyn-based band have actually just blown in from Bristol as they continue their epic European and North American tour. A global trek which, incidentally, is donating 1% of tour income to the climate …
Live Review: Desperate Journalist – Lafayette, King’s Cross 19.02.2022
For a moment the only Desperate Journalist was me – stranded on a lethargic rail-replacement bus somewhere in the Essex hinterland. Like the title of the latest Desperate Journalist album – Maximum Sorrow – I feared disappointment and loss at the thought of missing their headline show. Still, this gig was originally scheduled to coincide with that …
Live Review: Smoke Fairies – Lafayette, King’s Cross 15.02.2022
“So great leaving the house, isn’t it?” declares Katherine Blamire, clearly excited that her and fellow Smoke Fairies friend Jessica Davies are finally back touring. Being back on the road and spending time away from home isn’t without its dangers though. Blamire reveals how she recently reacquainted herself with her cat – “I came back …
News: Millie Manders And The Shutup Announce Toot Sweet Tour And GoFundMe Campaign
Having previously announced they will support Less Than Jake on their forthcoming UK and Ireland tour in March and April alongside Skinny Lister and The Toasters, Millie Manders And The Shutup have now announced their Toot Sweet Tour for June this year as follows: June Wed 01 Newport Le PubThu 02 Weston-Super-Mare Brit BarFri 03 Derbyshire Under The CastleSat 04 Morecambe Nice N …
Live Review: Millie Manders And The Shutup – Islington Academy, London 02.02.2022
Millie Manders And The Shutup played their first full headline UK tour last autumn in celebration ofthe release of their debut album, Telling Truths, Breaking Ties. They returned to treat a London crowd to make of the songs that make up that album for a nights entertainment at Islington Academy. Their brand of broad punk …
Live Review: Howling Bells – 229 The Venue, London 22.01.2022
Tony Blair is still Prime Minister, Gnarls Barkley is going crazy in the charts and The Sopranos is the latest telly fix. Meanwhile, an Aussie indie rock combo has released their debut album. Howling Bells eponymous debut was launched on the world in the spring of 2006 – a different time, an age when lazy …
Live Review: Girl Ray – The Lexington, London 21.01.2022
On a cold and miserable night in January with still more grey days ahead we all need some Girl Ray. Emerging from their hibernation like snowdrops Poppy, Sophie, Iris (and not forgetting Girl Ray bloke Mike) bring warmth, joy and some welcome quirkiness as they headline this eclectic night curated by The Line Of Best …
Live Review: The Rockaway Beach Festival – 07.01.2022 – 09.01.2022
Welcome to the end of the fear show! After everyone was grounded in 2021 Bognor braced itself for the return of the Rockaway Beach Festival. In the middle of a continuing pandemic? Really? As an idea it seemed crazier than the competitors in the notorious Bognor Birdman contest – a true leap of faith! During …
Live Review: Little Simz – Brixton Academy, London 18.12.2021
A black drape spans the stage. Brixton awaits rap royalty. This third and final night of the Little Simz South London take-over is another sold-out affair for the bold (some with face-masks) and the beautiful wanting a glimpse of the “real life queen in the flesh” or as she simply prefers to be called – …
Live Review: LIFE – Lafayette, Kings Cross, London 07.12.2021
No mic stand is safe tonight. Mez is magnetic. The LIFE frontman paces the stage, proudly proclaiming “Ey ‘up, we’re from Hull…” before launching into the frenzied assault of Popular Music. It’s the biggest headline show yet for LIFE and the atmosphere is more electric than the nearby Kings Cross rail tracks. This London leg …