Live Music
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.
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.
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.
Idles
Mark Rowland watches Idles play a remarkable three set lockdown session over two days at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Miscellaneous
Our writers and photographers tell of the bands and acts from the past that they would most like to have seen live.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Deerstock Festival
After attending the three day 2019 Deerstock extravaganza in the Nottinghamshire countryside, Dave Goodwin says that it has become the best festival that he has ever been to.
Alasdair Roberts
Nicky Crewe caught a magical evening in Sheffield as Alasdair Roberts performed solo to promote his latest album, 'The Fiery Margin'.
Hollywood Brats
Dastardly watches the first gig by proto-punkers Hollywood Brats for almost half a century.
Purdy
NIck Dent-Robinson watches vocalist Rebecca Poole AKA Purdy, accompanied by a stellar ensemble, returns to her native Oxfordshire to perform originals and cover tunes.
Van Morrison
Nick Dent-Robinson enjoys a diverse, career-spanning set of blues/rock from Van Morrison at the New Theatre in Oxford.
Revivalists
L. Paul Mann watches New Orleans rock band the Revivalists wind up their 2019 tour at the Vina Robles Amphitheatre in California.
Ziggy Marley
While volunteering at the Womad festival, Shirley Procter checks out a powerful and passionate set from Ziggy Marley.
Steve Miller
L. Paul Mann enjoys a hot Night at the Vina Robles Amphitheater in California with classic rock/blues artist Steve Miller.
Bluedot Festival
During the first two days of the Bluedot Festival Shirley Procter attends a performance by the Halle Orchestra of classic sci-fi soundtracks and also several of its science-oriented events.
Don McLean
L.Paul Mann watches and photographs veteran folk rocker Don McLean at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai in California.
Avett Brothers
b. Paul Mann watches the Avett Brothers bring families together for a sold-out concert at Vina Robles Amphitheater in Paso Robles in California.
John Prine
Lisa Torem watches septuagenarian singer-songwriter John Prine at the Pavilion in Ravinia Park in Illinois play a life-affirming set.
Bluedot Festival
At the last two days of the Bluedot Festival Shirley Procter watches sets by Easy Star All Stars, Omar Souleyman, Jarvis Cocker, Kraftwerk and She Drew The Gun.
Catenary Wires (1)
Dixie Ernill finds indie veterans the Catenary Wires still cutting it live at Gullivers in Manchester.
Press Club
Ben Howarth at the New Cross Inn in London enjoys an emotionally intense set to promote their second album 'Wasted Energy' from rising Melbourne punk band Press Club.
Fairport's Cropredy Convention
Despite torrential rain, Nick Dent-RObinson finnds plenty to enjoy at this year's Fairport's Cropredy Convention, which as well as a three-hour set from Faiport Convention, included performances from Richard Thompson, Gogol Bordello and the Waterboys.
Catenary Waves
Dixie Ernill finds indie veterans the Catenary Waves still cutting it live at Gullivers in Manchester.
Michael McDonald and Chaka Khan
Lisa Torem watches co-headliners Michael McDonald and Chaka Khan perform many of their greatest hits at the Ravinia Pavilion at Highland Park, Illinois.
Rolling Stones
Lisa Torem got her share of 'Satisfaction' as the World’s Greatest Rock N’ Roll Band resume their postponed tour at Soldier Field, Chicago.
Glastonbury Festival
Shirley Procter attends this year's Glastonbury Festival and reports on her personal favourite acts.
Love Band
Dastardly watches The Love Band featuring original guitarist Johnny Echols play their final gig in the UK.