Live Music
Paul Weller
On the road to promote new LP 'Fat Pop (Volume One)' and celebrate the anniversary of 1990s classic 'Stanley Road', Paul Weller shows no signs of slowing down on record or on stage at a capacity Liverpool Olympia. Richard Lewis reviews
Jesus And Mary Chain
At a concert at the Albert Hall in Manchester featuring classics from their brooding 1987 second album, ‘Darklands',’ Denzil Watson finds The Jesus and Mary Chain rendering a refreshingly subtle and dynamic range.
Lanterns on the Lake
Nige Nudds at the Waterfront Studio in Norwich enjoys a compelling set from Mercury Prize nominated post-rock outfit Lanterns on the Lake in which they play their latest album 'Spook the Herd' in full.
Fenne Lily
Nige Nudds watches and photographs up-and-coming Fenne Lily’s captivating set at a packed Portland Arms in Cambridge.
Beth Hart
Andrew Twambley at Parr Hall in Warrington watches an electrifying set from rock/blues artist Beth Hart
Little Man Tate
Denzil Watson watches indie guitar act Little Man Tate make a triumphant return after a twelve year absence across two nights at the Sheffield O2 Arena.
Fontaines DC
Amanda J Window watches and photographs chart scaling Dublin quintet Fontaines DC plug their wares in a much delayed, highly raucous, sold-out show at Manchester Academy
Humanist
Dave Goodwin finds that the debut album by storied producer former Exit Calm leader Rob Marshall is realised live on stage with superb effect.
Cal Ruddy
Steve Kinrade at the Thornton Hough Social Club enjoys a charismatic, unforgettable performance from grassroots singer-songwriter Cal Ruddy with excellent support from Visions of Albion and Evie Moran.
Billy Joel
Lisa Torem enjoys Billy Joel's return to his Madison Square Gardens monthly residency after a twenty month absence because of Covid.
Jarv Is
Steev Burgess watches an impressive set of old and new songs from former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker at the Roundhouse in London.
Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical
Despite soft pedalling over his biographical details and infidelities, Nick Dent-Robinson finds much to enjoy in a new stage show about Bob Marley.
Spear Of Destiny
Denzil Watson at Yardbirds in Grimsby watches an emotive performance from Spear of Destiny to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their third album, 'World Service'.
Genesis
Despite Phil Collins' ailing health problems, Neil Swift finds Genesis on their 'Last Domino' farewell tour continuing to be an excellent stage presence.
London Grammar
Nick Dent-Robinson enjoys a rare, intimate show from stadium-filling act London Grammar at the O2 Academy in Oxford.
Libertines
Steev Burgess watches The Libertines play a fiery set of their classic songs at Rochester Castle.
Steve Hackett
Neil Swift at the Manchester Apollo watches Steve Hackett plays Genesis' entire double live album 'Seconds Out' as well as highlights from his own back and current catalogue.
New Order
Denzil Watson watches New Order play a gripping set at Heaton Park in Manchester in their first home city gig in over four years.
Stewart Copeland
Philamonjaro watches and photographs Stewart Copeland rearrange The Police catalogue with the Cleveland Orchestra at the Blossom Center in Ohio.
Primitives
Indie pop progenitors The Primitives roll back the years with a career-scanning set delivered in breathless fashion. Richard Lewis reviews
Mike Garry and The Cassia String Quartet
Writer Shirley Procter and photographer Amanda J Window watch poet Mike Garry play a gig with The Cassini String Quartet at the Stamford Quarter in Altrincham.
Joe Bonamassa
For fans of guitarist and singer-songwriter Joe Bonamassa, Lisa Torem discovers that the Austin City Limits livestream is an exciting way to celebrate the old and the new in the comfort of one’s home.
Idles
Mark Rowland watches Idles play a remarkable three set lockdown session over two days at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Wytches
A terrific lockdown gig by The Wytches leaves Peter Cole musing about the nature of live music, what we've lost in 2020 and what we might gain in future.
Miscellaneous
For the third part of our four part series, in which our writers and photographers reflect upon great venues, Dastardly, Dave Goodwin and Lisa Torem examine Vinyl Deptford in London, Rock City and the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham and the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.
Miscellaneous
Our writers and photographers tell of the bands and acts from the past that they would most like to have seen live.
Tori Amos
Although the popular Chicago Humanities Festival was cancelled due to Covid-19, featured guest/singer-songwriter Tori Amos agreed to a live-stream interview. Lisa Torem reviews the highlights.
Miscellaneous
In the second part of our series, in which our writers and photographers reminisce upon great venues, past and present, Nicky Crewe, John Clarkson and Cila Warncke remember The Hacienda in Manchester, the 1980's Loughborough University Students' Union and the 1990's London Camden Palace.
Miscellaneous
In the first part of this four part series, our writers and photographers will be reflecting upon and providing memories of great venues, past and present. Nicky Crewe, Andrew Twambley and Adrian Janes remember 60's club The Magic Village and 70's venues, Eric's in Liverpool and the London Rainbow.
Dubioza Kolektiv
Denzil Watson watches Balkan ska/punk collective Dubioza Kolektiv play an energetic set at the Academy 3 in Manchester.
Ben Ottewell
Richard Lewis watches Gomez lead singer Ben Ottewell turn in an excellent solo performance at Leaf in Liverpool.
I Am Lono
Dave Goodwin at the Bodega in Nottingham enjoys a night of dark post-punk/synth rock from promising new band I Am Lono.
Supergrass
Nick Dent-Robinson watches Supergrass back after a decade away play a set of classic anthems to an enthusiastic crowd at the Alexandra Palace in London.
Big Joanie
Dastardly braves the January cold for some heartwarming DIY punk rock from London three-piece Big Joanie.
Miscellaneous
For the fourth and final part of this four part series, in which our writers and photographers reflect upon great venues, Amanda J Window, Andrew Twambley and Denzil Watson bring things up-to-date with their memories of the Night and Day Cafe and O2 Ritz in Manchester and the Sheffield Leadmill.
Hector Gannet
Gus Ironside profiles a new video from acclaimed North Tyneside indie act Hector Gannet recorded live at the iconic Polestar Studios in Newcastle.
Jah Wobble and the Invaders of the Heart
Adrian Janes watches Jah Wobble and the Invaders of the Heart preview a new album and range widely and deeply over the bassist’s prolific career.
Libertines
In the first of two galleries Amanda J Window photographs the Libertines at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester.
Happy Mondays
Richard Lewis enjoys a set of classic hits and more obscure early tracks from the Happy Mondays at the Liverpool date on what might be their last full-scale tour for a while.
Courteeners
Harry Sherriff watches homecoming band the Courteneers play a storming, crowd-pleasing set at the Manchester Arena, but is equally impressed by support act Miles Kane.
Toy
Amanda J Window and her husband spend their wedding anniversary with TOY as the band play a special gig in Manchester.
16 Tambourines
Cult late 1980s psych-pop outfit 16 Tambourines reform to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of their debut LP ‘How Green Is Your Valley’ with a sold-out hometown gig. Steve Kinrade views.
Tom Keifer/LA Guns
L.Paul Mann watches and photographs hard rock acts Tom Keifer and LA Guns rock the Ojai Libbey Bowl in California.
Ride
On the final tour date in support of acclaimed new LP ‘This Is Not A Safe Place’ shoegaze legends Ride turn in a storming set on Election Night at a sold-out Ritz in Manchester. Richard Lewis reviews.
Eluveitie
In the first of a two part gallery Andrew Twambley photographs Swiss folk death metal band Eluveitie at a show in Manchester.
38 Special
In Florida, L. PauL Mann watches and photographs 38 Special, a band keeping Southern Rock alive and well
Richard Hawley
Richard Hawley plays a show in Manchester that clearly means a lot to him. Amanda J Window tells us all about it.
Miscellaneous
Curiosity took Nicky Crewe to the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ceremony, where she discovered an evening full of enthusiasm and celebration, with fantastic musicians and surprising guests.
Above Ground
Featuring a highly impressive roster of rock star A listers, Above Ground returns for a second year of mental health awareness and fund raising at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. L. Paul Mann reviews.
Lulu
Nick Dent-Robinson watches Scottish entertainer Lulu play to a packed house in Oxford with remarkable energy in celebration of her 55-year career.
Who
Lisa Torem finds The Who’s 'Moving On!' tour at the Blossom Music Center at Cuyahoga Falls in Ohio, off the heels of a new release. drawing from seven albums and embellished by live, local orchestral arrangements.
Pasadena Daydream
L. Paul Mann watches and photographs goth rock icons the Cure curate a highly impressive support bill capped with a superb headline slot for their all-day festival in the blazing California sunshine.