SebastiAn – Motor EP (Ed Banger) May 30th, 2008 5.2/6.0 This latest three-track EP from the man rapidly becoming Ed Banger’s media darling has a lot to live up to after his previous efforts such as Ross Ross Ross, Walkman and the list of remixes as long as his arm including last year’s gem Killing [...]
Inquisitions
Inquisitions: Same Teens Manchester
It’s easy to forget once you’ve attained the age of majority, consigning your expertly-rehearsed fake birthday and battered four-inch platforms to the attic with it, that there was once a time when getting into indie clubs was an absolute nightmare (and if you did, you’d invariably be sleazed upon), and getting into smaller gigs in [...]
Live Reviews
Lose Yourself…
The Music Academy 2, Manchester Friday, May 16th 2008 A huge sense of anticipation had mounted within me in the days prior to this gig, anticipation of how The Music might have grown since their mind-blowing show at The Apollo at the tail end of 2004. Back then, garage rock was still at large but [...]
Classic Albums
Classic Albums: Part 9 – Who’s Next
The Who – Who’s Next (Polydor/Track) Released: 1971 Thought we’d go a bit retro with my choice, and I’ve picked an album that has affected me since I was a kid. From the opening strains of Baba O’Riley through to Won’t Get Fooled Again, this is truly a classic album. The original was released in [...]
Mixtapes'n'Tapes
Mixtapes: Part 14 – On The Piste
As I applied the finishing touches to my own mixtape challenge and turned my thoughts to a theme for James, my mind felt fuzzy, filled with thoughts of only one thing… my impending jaunt to Chamonix for five days of fun on the pistes. Therefore, the obvious choice of theme to challenge James was “songs [...]
Live Reviews
Form A Band, Please Form A Band
Santogold The Roadhouse, Manchester Friday, May 16th 2008 As part of the 02 Wireless Weekender in Manchester, I was expecting my arrival into the normally cosily dark confines of The Roadhouse to be greeted by a bombardment of bullshit advertising. Incredibly, in its place was a particular brand of corporate fascism that was astounding in [...]
I'd Marry That Voice
I’d Marry That Voice: Part 12 – Laura Marling
Incest. When a friend of mine was trying to convince me at BBQ #19374 of last week’s ‘ominous-for-Glastonbury’ heatwave that it should be legal, I never thought I’d be taking her side, in the public domain no less. But in order to marry Laura Marling’s strikingly gorgeous voice, this is an unfortunate but necessary pre-requisite. [...]
Festival Coverage
Festival Previews: MAPS Festival 2008 – Kate’s Top 10 Things To Do…
This weekend sees the Maps Festival (“Music, Art, Poetry and Stuff”, we’re told) taking over Manchester’s city centre. With so many things to do and see, here’s FM editor Kate’s top ten recommendations, in no particular order… Stars of Track and Field Stars of Track and Field are a Carlisle-based indie-pop quintet who do a [...]
I'd Marry That Voice
I’d Marry That Voice: Part 11 – Sandy Denny
It is thirty years and a month since Sandy Denny fell down the stairs, suffering a fatal brain haemorrhage and bringing a successful singing career to a tragic close. And thankfully, the media have been running fitting tributes to the singer who truly possessed the voice I, logic permitting, would happily marry. Born Alexandra Elene [...]
Live Reviews
Solid Gold
Sam Sparro, Frankmusik and Jack McManus Night and Day Cafe, Manchester Friday, May 16th 2008 If O2 aren’t filling our TV screens with slightly smug, Sean Bean narrated adverts, then they’re actually putting on some decent music around the country. This was the third of the O2 Wireless Weekenders, a tour of the UK to [...]