Related
Interviews
Melanie Blake
Interview
Multi-millionaire music manager Melanie Blake talks to Nick Dent-Robinson about her working class Manchester upbringing, experiences of working on 'Top of the Pops' in the 1990s, bestselling debut novel, 'The Thunder Girls', and writing career.
Hermit Crabs
Interview
Glaswegian indie pop group the Hermit Crabs released their debut album, 'Saw You Dancing', on Matinee Records last year. Dixie Ernill speaks to guitarist John Ferguson and vocalist Melanie Whittle about how they write their songs, the album and their plans for the future
Profiles
Book - Sue Richmond
Excess All Areas
Melanie Smith reflects on new book 'Excess All Areas', which looks at some of the most extreme rock rider lists
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
Bleddyn Butcher: A Little History – Nick Cave and Cohorts, 1981 – 2013
Melanie Smith is impressed by Bleddyn Butcher's new book of photography which documents Nick Cave's career from the early 1980s to the present time
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Edinburgh, 14/8/2014...20/8/2014
Melanie Smith writes of some of her personal highlights while attending this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Live
Wendy James
Live Room, Manchester, 3/6/2016
Ex-Transvision Vamp singer Wendy James returns to the live music arena with a brand new LP, ‘The Price of the Ticket’. Vanessa Lourenco (words) and Melanie Smith (photos) report back from the Manchester leg of the UK tour
Foxes
Club Academy, Manchester, 24/10/2015
Writer James Lowther and photographer Melanie Smith head to the intimate Club Academy in Manchester to catch hotly tipped London songstress Louisa Rose Allen, AKA Foxes as she tours her latest album ‘Better Love’
Ex Hex
Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 8/11/2015
Writer James Lowther and photographer Melanie Smith catch rising all-female punk rock outfit Ex Hex at The Ruby Lounge in Manchester as they storm through their fantastic debut album ‘Rips'
Screaming Females
Roadhouse, Manchester, 21/4/2015
The Screaming Females' UK leg of their European ended in London on April 24th. Nigel Carr was at their gig in Manchester and he and photographer Melanie Smith report back on a great night
NME Awards Tour
Ritz, Manchester, 26/2/2015
Melanie Smith witnesses an exceptionally superb night of music with sets from rising stars Palma Violets, Fat White Family, Slaves and the Wytches at an NME Awards Tour gig at the Ritz in Manchester
In This Moment
Academy 2, Manchester, 2/3/2015
Melanie Smith watches Los Angeles-based rock/metal band In This Moment play a dramatic and theatrical gig at the Academy 2 in Mnachester
Kitty, Daisy and Lewis
Gorilla, Manchester, 17/2/2015
Melanie Smith is impressed by multi-talented London siblings Kitty, Daisy and Lewis' versatility and ability to merge the past and the contemporary in a magical set at Gorilla in their first Manchester show in some years
Chrysta Bell
Sacred Trinity Church, Salford, 8/4/2014
Melanie Smith watches David Lynch protege Chrysta Bell play a haunting and seductive set at at the Sacred Trinity Church in Salford
Sex Pistols Experience
Academy 3, Manchester, 15/3/2014
Melanie Smith finds tribute band the Sex Pistols Experience bringing back strong memories of 1977 at a show at the Academy 3 in Manchester
Circus of Horrors
Parr Hall, Warrington, 8/2/2014
Melanie Smith enjoys rock and roll-themed Circus of Horrors' terrifying but spectacular latest stage show at Parr Hall in Warrington
Photoscapes
Nordic Giants
Melanie Smith takes photographs of ambient Brighton-based duo and visual artists Nordic Giants at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester
Photoscapes
Strypes
Melanie Smith photographs rising Irish rock/blues outfit the Strypes at the Academy in Manchester
Lindi Ortega
Deaf Institute, Manchester, 24/1/2014
Melanie Smith watches Canadian-born and now Nashville-based country singer and musician Lindi Ortega play an exuberant set to promote her new album 'Tin Star' at The Deaf Institute in Manchester
Features
Prince
The Image That Made Me Weep
In our new series 'The Image That Made Me Weep', in which a different one of our writers or photographers will be reflecting on a favourite photograph, Nicky Crewe writes of a photo taken by Melanie Smith of Mudkiss Photography at a small club gig by Prince in Manchester.
Photography
Courtesans
Photoscapes
Melanie Smith photographs controversial all girl pop/rock band the Courtesans at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester
Jack White
Photoscapes
Melanie Smith takes photographs of Jack White at the Leeds Arena on his recent UK tour
Barb Wire Dolls
Photoscapes
Melanie Smith takes photographs of Greek punk act Barb Wire Dolls at Sound Control in Manchester
Billy Idol
Photoscapes
Melanie Smith photographs Billy Idol on his first British tour in six years at the Manchester Apollo
Photoscapes
Edinburgh Fringe Festival 1
Over three galleries Melanie Smith takes photographs of this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Gary Numan
Photoscapes
Melanie Smith photographs pioneering electro musician Gary Numan at a show at 53 Degrees in Preston
Pierces
Photoscapes
Melanie Smith photographs glamorous American sister act the Pierces at a show at the Academy in Manchester
EMA
Photoscapes
Melanie Smith photographs American industrial-folk singer EMA at a show at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester
Brody Dalle
Photoscapes
Melanie Smith photographs former Distillers and Spinerette front woman Brody Dalle on her first solo tour at a gig at the Academy 2 in Manchester
Photoscapes
Temples
Melanie Smith takes photographs of rising psychedelic pop/rock act Temples at the Academy II in Manchester