Live Review
Live Review: The Barmines at Headrow House, Leeds, 9.9.2016
The Barmines have only just returned from Leeds festival but they’re already heading out on a tour that will last the rest of the year, hitting cities all across the UK. There’s no time to stop for breath – these guys are gonna keep going until everyone is dancing to their indie rock tunes. Their …
Live Review: The Wired / Ashley Holland, The Rocking Chair, Sheffield, 19.08.16
The Wired are a blossoming little indie pop band from Sheffield who clearly have their sights set on the big time and following in the footsteps of the local greats who came before them like Pulp, the Arctic Monkeys and new kids on the block, the Sherlocks. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the Wired …
Live Review: Benji Tranter’s Dirty Laundry, Edinburgh Fringe Preview
Benji gently plays with his audience, sometimes sassing them, marvellous! His wit on stage is quick and sharp catching the audience off guard like a rabbit in headlights. His subtle lyrical humour and delicate vocals are comparable to Sufjan Stevens and Flight of The Concords in a most perfect melange. Shunting you through the soundscape …
Review: Tramlines Festival 2016
Tramlines festival is Sheffield’s biggest musical event as every venue opens its doors to emerging bands and big headline acts, inviting Yorkshire out for a chaotic weekend of music, drink, and dancing. From fringe events to artists taking on the main stage, the entire city erupts in music, celebrating the best the industry has to …
Live Review: Raging Speedhorn / Burden Of The Noose Birmingham 20.07.2016
So this review went a little sideways when I arrived at the O2 Birmingham Academy. I was due to review Stoneghost on their support tour of Raging Speedhorn’s new album. Sadly the night before’s gig had put that on hold due to Jason(vocalist) getting a serious back injury. I wish Jason well and I hope …
Les Ardentes Festival, Liege, Belgium. 2016 Edition
Belgium’s Les Ardentes Festival is now over ten years old, so this year it added an extra day, making it a five-day extravaganza. I’ve been to every one, and my role for most of them as onstage announcer has given me fly-on-the-wall access to it and how it operates. Unlike in the U.K., where the …
Live Review: An evening with Marc Almond – Leeds 8.7.16
It’s thirty five years since Tainted Love hit the number one spot across the globe, and in doing so launched the illustrious career of tonight’s star, Marc Almond. Tonight is a celebration of that career and we’ve been promised a personal set of his own favourites. The concert opens with the Leeds College of Music Contemporary …
Live: Hurray For The Riff Raff. Birmingham 29.06.16
The Rainbow is one of my favourite venues in Birmingham, a quirky pub has a discreet back door towards the toilets that opens into what appears to be a disused warehouse. The exposed beams (and wires) and brickwork providing a backdrop to a corner stage. Despite the shabby appearance, the sound is always good in the Rainbow. And even …
Live: Brian Jonestown Massacre, Leeds 13.06.16
The evening starts with a poem. A short piece that, forgive the romantic in me, channels the vibe of Ginsberg and beautifully set’s the tone for tonight’s ‘happening’. I say happening because the Brian Jonestown Massacre are far from just another band, and with the promise of a three hour set, its fair to say, …
Say Psych: Photo Gallery, Eindhoven Psych Lab, 10-11 June 2016
Day One: Throw Down Bones, Hills, Camera, Temples Day Two: Statue, Black Valleys Meets OWOW, 10000 Russos, Radar Men from the Moon, Flamingods, Gnod, Follakzoid, Goat