Phoenix Academy 2, Manchester Tuesday, October 27th 2009 The lyrics to this years single and set opener Lisztomania pretty much summarise Phoenix’s year. The words “# Think less but see it grow / Like a riot, like a riot oh! #” epitomise not only their meteoric rise in popularity Stateside, but also predict the mass [...]
Live Reviews
A Healing Quality
First Aid Kit with Fanfarlo Trof, Grosvenor Street, Manchester Monday, September 28th 2009 As is seemingly customary with double-headliner affairs, tonight’s line-up is in the opposite order to the one the poster for tonight would suggest: cue a very brisk walk in the newly autumnal (and dark) Manchester evening lest I miss the action.
Music: Reviews
iLIKETRAINS – Sea Of Regrets
iLIKETRAINS – Sea Of Regrets (Beggars Banquet) October 12th, 2009 4.5/6.0 I Like Trains return with an offering that once again will please those who like as much weight and gravity to their music as possible. While some subtle changes may have been made to the sound of the Leeds outfit, the overall effect remains [...]
Festival Coverage
Preview: In The City 2009 – The Bands
Various venues, Manchester city centre, October 18th-20th, 2009 OK, so what do Noah and the Whale, Coldplay, Little Boots, The Noisettes, Daft Punk and Arctic Monkeys have in common, aside from standing proud atop the pop pile? Well, they all went big after playing at In The City. Time for a nosy at the very [...]
Festival Coverage
Preview: In The City 2009 – The Panels
Over the years, ITC panels have often captured the tense, yet symbiotic, relationship between ‘music’ and ‘business’ – one suspects no-one knows whether this happens intentionally or unintentionally.
Bestival
Bestival 2009 Clockwatch: Sunday, September 13th (Part 2)
16.00: Unlike the vast majority of Manchester, I’m struggling to get into Delphic despite my best efforts. Their debut album isn’t even here yet, and everyone’s already raving about them. Today’s performance doesn’t quite prove convincing enough for them to have a guaranteed place on my personal list of 2010 ones to watch.
Bestival
Bestival 2009 Clockwatch: Sunday, September 13th (Part 1)
00.10: “Why do you want to see La Roux?” must have been the question on so many Fugitives’ lips before their editor headed for the Isle of Wight. Well – surely she can’t be as bad as everyone says? If people are voting with their feet, then they must be in favour. The Big Top [...]
Music: Reviews
Air – Sing Sang Sung
Sing Sang Sung’s problems lie in its gentile nature – it’s a little too wishy washy, and as such, despite enveloping you for three carefree minutes, you’ll have forgotten about it within three minutes of it going off.
Bestival
Bestival 2009 Clockwatch: Saturday, September 12th (Part 2)
OK. Make yourselves comfortable, it’s time for the biggest Fugitive Motel about-face in our short and chequered history.
Bestival
Bestival 2009 Clockwatch: Saturday, September 12th (Part 1)
Typical Bestival fancy dress day madness is in full flow, and I’m loving it.