Misfits
...while Aaron Brown at the Ritz in Manchester, despite their less-than-authentic line-up, finds them still masters at their work
Dum Dum Girls
Aaron Brown at Factory 251 in Manchester finds, despite them coning on an hour and a half late, Californian girl group's garage punk charms winning him over
Rob Zombie
At the Apollo in Manchester, Aaron Brown enjoys a night of theatrical rock horror from former White Zombie frontman and film director, Rob Zombie, on his first visit to Britain in twelve years
White Lies
Aaron Brown watches White Lies play a crowd-pleasing set in front of an ecstatic audience to promote their just released second album, 'Ritual', at the Manchester Academy
Carl Barat
At the initimate Deaf Institute in Manchester Aaron Brown sees Carl Bart play a magical set of both Libertines numbers and tracks from his just released debut solo album
Miscellaneous
At the Manchester open air festival Hungry Pigeon, Aaron Brown finds heavy rain failing to dampen the spirits of the crowd or Athlete in an exuberant performance from the London-based rockers
Airship
At the Deaf Institute in Manchester, Aaron Brown watches epic rockers Airship play a short, but effective set to a hometown crowd
Bad Lieutenant
Aaron Brown finds Bad Lieutenant, the new project of New Order's Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris, confusing their audience at their first hometown gig at the Ritz in Manchester
Eighties Matchbox B Line Disaster
Aaron Brown finds psychedelic blues punks Eighties Mathbox B-Line Disaster to be on fiery form at a gig at Night and Day in Manchester, but wonders if their new album, first promised two years ago, will ever see a release date
Goldie Lookin Chain
Aaron Brown finds Welsh hip hop trio Goldie Lookin' Chain still knowing how to put on a good show, but evrything else having long run thin at the Moha in Manchester
John Cooper Clarke
At the first of two shows across consecutive nights in his home city of Manchester, Aaron Brown at the Dance Factory finds that 70's punk poet John Cooper Clarke has lost none of his former magic in a fantastic two hour set
Tricky
Always controversial, Aaron Brown finds that Bristol trip hopper has lost none of his ability for confrontation and getting on the wrong side of authority at a gig at the Manchester Academy
Tenebrous Liar
Despite recent line up changes and an ill received second album, Aaron Brown finds that Brazilian electro clash band CSS have lost none of their on stage magic at a show at the Academy in Manchester
Glasvegas
At the Manchester Academy, Aaron Brown finds much acclaimed and rapidly rising Scottish discordant rockers Glasvegas to be the first band in a long time that he has seen that can translate their big sound to a live stage
Crystal Castles
At a show sponsored by clothing chain store Top Man, Aaron Brown watches much hyped 80's influenced duo Crystal Castles play a tuneless, awful set
Precinct
At the Zu Bar in Manchester, Aaron Brown is confused but ultimately impressed by up-and-coming hometown act Precinct's diverse blend of new wave, post punk and psychedelia
Alabama 3
Aaron Brown watches the Alabama 3 play a set of almost religious intensity with their unique combination of country, southern gospel and acid house at a show at the Manchester Academy
Pete and the Pirates
At the Ruby Lounge in Manchester, Aaron Brown sees up-beat Reading pop-punk act Pete and the Pirates help an appreciative audience shake off the last of the winter blues with their enthusiastic performance
Deftones
It has been three years since Sacramento hard rockers the Deftones last toured Britain. Aaron Brown finds them, despite their long absence, still a sorely needed force to be reckoned with at the Manchester Academy
Misfits
In Belfast torn apart by some of its worst riots in years, Aaron Brown manages to escape the road blocks to watch long-serving American punks the Misfits play a set comprising of most their classic songs at an unusually packed Rosetta Bar
Helmet
One of the pioneers of the Nu-Metal movement, Helmet unceremoniously parted ways six years ago, Back now with a new line-up, in which only singer Page Hamilton remains, Aaron Brown at a Glasgow show finds them able to maintain their old magic