Manchester
Live Review: Dream Theater / Arion – O2 Apollo, Manchester 17.02.2023
As the evening drew in and I approached the Apollo I couldn’t help but notice an air of sophistication and maturity surrounding the whole ambience, and as I entered the regal theatre my suspicions were only corroborated even more when I was met with an empty merch area and a floor full of seats with …
Live Review: Revocation / Goatwhore / Alluvial / Creeping Death – Rebellion, Manchester 13.02.2023
After a relatively stress free jaunt across the Pennines, I was met with a winding queue which hugged the perimeter of the Rebellion and even though the doors were advertised as a more traditional 19.00hrs opening, there still seemed to be a lot of back clad warriors piling in as the sounds of crunching death …
Album Review: Yossari Baby – Inferiority Complex (Alphaville Records)
If you believed every single press release which accompanies any new album, you’d be excused for just throwing away all your record collection each time, as what’s just arrived in your inbox is truly the dogs danglies. Very occasionally, the hype meets the reality, and with Manchester Electo/New Wave 3 piece, Yossari Baby’s debut release, …
Live Review: Tarja / Temperance / Beneath The Embers – Manchester Academy 2, Manchester 04.02.2023
With the night finally here, I once again made my way across the Pennines, excited for the much delayed Tarja gig and this was going to be one of epic proportions I was sure. Set in the modest Academy two, I made it through the ‘late doors’ just in time to secure a spot and …
Live Review: Apocalyptica & Epica (The Epic Apocalypse Tour) Manchester Academy, Manchester 03.02.23
Numerous complications and difficulties left me fighting a losing battle to get to the Academy on time to catch prog metal band, Wheel, although from what I heard they fought their corner and put on an admirable display for those in attendance. Absolutely gutted, note to self, must try harder! With the now pretty full …
Say Psych: Live Review: Avalanche Party / Nara @ Big Hands, Manchester 01.02.2023
Independent Venue Week is the UK’s annual 7-day celebration of independent music & arts venues and the people that own, run and work in them. Over 200 independent venues take part in our annual Celebration and the number keeps growing every year. One such venue is Manchester’s Big Hands. With its low ceilings, epic club …
Live Review: Hot Milk / As December Falls / Jools / Clarence & The Modern Life – O2 Ritz, Manchester 03.02.23
By Sian Connolly For two nights and two nights only, Manchester’s very own, Hot Milk, perform two of their biggest headlining shows titled “England’s Screaming”. Last night, the band took over the London venue, Koko, creating nothing but chaos. But tonight, it was anarchy at the Ritz. Eagerly waiting for the venue to open, an …
Live review + Gallery: Maruja sell-out debut gig in Scotland
The big gig in Glasgow tonight was arguably The Viagra Boys at Barrowlands. It sold out almost immediately. However there was another sold out gig in the city on this particular Saturday night. Manchester jazz punks Maruja were playing their first gig in Scotland. With just five tracks released in the last couple of years …
Interview: Volk Soup
Manchester’s underground has never been short of bands, but recently a new breed is emerging. I had a chat with Volk Soup, a multi-city-based offering who have played a few times in these parts recently and have caused quite a stir; partly for their chaotic performances and partly because of the sheer quality that’s on …
Say Psych: News: Manchester Psych Fest Announce First Bands for 2023
The UK’s leading psychedelic music and arts festival Manchester Psych Fest has announced the first wave of acts for its 10th edition and biggest edition of the one-day event to date, with over 60 live acts taking place on 2nd September 2023. With headliners still to be announced in the new year, Manchester Psych Fest …