Live Review
Live Review: The Cribs – Leeds First Direct Arena 20/05/2017
What’s better than a hometown band playing a hometown arena show? Pulled Apart By Horses dominate the stage early on. With I Punched A Lion In The Throat having the biggest impact early on, the anarchic punk rock vibes pack a huge punch. There isn’t a huge crowd down yet but the few numbers that …
Swans – Plug, Sheffield 21.05.2017
So this is it for the current incarnation of Swans. Back in 2010 they rode into a world that was replete with some quite dreary Americana and blew it apart. (OK, I’m talking about my world, but you know…) Not without irony, given Michael Gira’s role with Angels of Light and Young God records. My …
Maarja Nuut – Rich Mix, London 16.05.2017
To label Maarja Nuut an Estonian folk singer and fiddler would be to hugely understate what she does and might even miss the point entirely. There’s no doubt the tunes and bluntly dark folk tales of her homeland are at the heart of her performance but there’s all manner of other musical layers, especially when accompanied …
Live Review: The Underground Lovers, Northcote Social Club 12.05.17 Plus Gallery
Deep in the heartland of the (apparently) hipsterville suburb of Northcote in Melbourne and the hometown of the Underground Lovers: there couldn’t be a better place to witness the launch of the band’s second phase second album, “Staring at You Staring at Me” (reviewed by Backseat Mafia here). From the very start, it felt like …
British Sea Power – The Church, Leeds 07.04.2017
It’s odd how often you find yourself justifying liking British Sea Power. Some will roll their eyes at you and cite that they’re too odd and ‘pretentious’ – with their weird venues, stage set ups and arty side projects. Others will sigh heavily and declare them meat and potatoes indie rockers, or rail at the …
Live Review: Counterfeit, Manchester Academy 3, 19.04.17
Counterfeit have only been a band for just under two years. Having released an EP and just recently, their debut full length album, they’re making remarkable progress in their scene. Tonight, it’s the turn of Manchester’s Academy 3 to witness what they have to offer, after the release of their album, in the new phase …
Live Review: PINS – Broadcast Glasgow 14.4.2017 Plus Gallery
PINS made a Good Friday great by bringing their captivating live show to a sold-out Broadcast. It’s been another exciting twelve months in the world of Manchester five-piece PINS. This time last year they were releasing the 10″ single ‘Trouble’ for Record Store Day. Since then they’ve released a new EP – the phenomenal ‘Bad …
Live Review: The All Seeing Hand at Schmørgåsbaag, Hobart, Sunday, 23 April 2017
In the early evening on a Sunday at the very edge of the world, a fitting place to witness an extraordinary performance from New Zealand band The All Seeing Hand. I had already recently noted the remarkable level of talent coming out of New Zealand in my recent review of Fazerdaze, and The All Seeing …
Live Review: Parkway Drive, Leeds O2 Academy, 10.04.2017
Parkway Drive are a force to be reckoned with. No matter your opinion of them, nor your standing on the metal scene- whether you know their songs or you don’t, catch them live and you’ll just know you’ve been in the presence of something special. Tonight it’s the turn of Leeds to be show what’s …
Live Review: Desperate Journalist – Nice N Sleazy Glasgow 31.3.2017 Plus Gallery
Exhilarating, epic and exceptional – Desperate Journalist enthral with a grown up, but still fierce, performance at Glasgow’s Nice N Sleazy. After local band Life Model have dragged the crowd away from the bar and down into the cosy basement with their 90s brit/dream pop swagger, Desperate Journalist emerge and waste no time jumping into …