Johnny Marr at the Manchester Apollo (Gary Mather / Live4ever)
While it’s true Johnny Marr’s older material gets a better reaction, there is much to appreciate in his solo canon.
Well, this was quite the double-header.
An artist of Johnny Marr’s stature would be enticing enough, …
James stare the issues of 2024 directly in the face.
Tim Booth has never been one to shy away from The Big Themes.
Since James‘ reformation, he and his bandmates have taken Donald Trump, populism and the devastating effects of climate change to task, most specifically …
The Stanford Family Band’s music is steeped in the 1960s.
This is an unexpected treat.
Brighton four-piece The Stanford Family Band unveil their debut EP For Your Listening Pleasure just in time for the changing of the season.
Sounding unlike anything else in alternative music right now, …
The Libertines’ fourth album is more of a band effort than ever before.
About time too.
For too long now, The Libertines have been behaving like a nostalgia band. Part of that is understandable given their impact back in the early part of the century, but given …
While the first three Brits And Pieces volumes were very much band-oriented, Volume IV includes several solo artists.
After a two year-hiatus, the Brits And Pieces compilation series returns.
Inspired by the classic compilation albums of the 1990s, Marc Rossiter (@BritsPieces) took on the challenge of matching the impact of …
Liam Gallagher and John Squire live in Manchester
After the mega-shows, it’s refreshing to see Liam Gallagher take things down to basics.
Those who criticise the Liam Gallagher And John Squire project don’t appear to have been paying attention.
Some questionable lyrics aside, the album is a solid blues/rock/pop effort …
While there is plenty of Ride’s signature sound, it’s complimented and enhanced with new textures.
Has there been a reformation of a much-loved 90’s band which has gone so well as Ride’s second act?
With the exception of Blur, no-one else from their generation (or even the one after) …
Ryan Needham with Yard Act at the Hammersmith Apollo
The Yard Act experience is brighter, brasher and louder.
Much has been made of Yard Act’s new direction, with the four-piece freely admitting that post-punk was a useful (and cost-effective) vehicle for their early work. A form that was easily …
Bill Ryder-Jones live in Brighton
Bill Ryder-Jones is equal parts intense and enlightening.
Unusually for an artist about to enthrall an audience for ninety minutes, Bill Ryder-Jones gets the niceties out of the way early on.
As he and his six-strong band take to the stage, he immediately thanks those …
Yard Act are asking a question: what happens after your dreams have come true?
Remember post-punk?
It was the sound of the second half of the last decade, and during the pandemic you couldn’t move for heavy guitars and shouted lyrics.
Yet, as is proper, its main proponents have moved …
SCALER by Sandra Ebert
It’s great to have Simple Things Festival back.
After a long break, the Simple Things Festival returns to Bristol in a new slot.
Where previously the festival took place in October, due to the city’s now bulging music schedule (Ritual Union, Outer Town and Dot2Dot are …
Dhani Harrison by Josh Giroux
Speaking with Dhani Harrison, even from the other side of the world, his enthusiasm for music is tangible.
The digital age has, as everyone knows, revolutionised music.
Fans can hear records before they get radio play. The power lies with the creator, they can release …
The real strength of Filthy Underneath lies in Nadine Shah purging her emotions to create something beautiful, punchy and totally unique.
Thank God Nadine Shah is back, not least because she’s one of the more likeable and interesting characters in music but also because, in the years since 2020’s Kitchen …
Shambolics in 2023 by Liam Maxwell
Shambolics’ whole album is a reflection of everything that’s been happening with us and everything we’re seeing.
Much has been reported recently about the disparity in the music industry; with a grassroots venue seemingly shutting down every week, the hope for smaller bands to …
U2 by Rich Fury
U2 do not shy away from big.
The four-piece are the one of the biggest stadium acts of all time, second only to The Rolling Stones, but – unlike Mick and co – have pushed the boundaries …
A change in producer hasn’t resulted in the abandonment of The Smile’s rage and funk.
For Radiohead fans, the announcements of side-projects/solo albums are a mixed blessing.
On the one hand, new music from whichever member of the band is exciting, but tempered by the knowledge that the next Radiohead …