Bringing you all the Live Reviews that matter since 1998

RANDOM RHYMES
30 November 2011 / Ruby Lounge / Manchester
:: Das Racist :: Dr Syntax ::
When MC Heems manages to lose a grip on his microphone during a break in proceedings, he remarks “I’m sorry I dropped my mic”. Quick as a flash, MC Dap replies “Man, I’m sorry you ever picked up a mic”. Not your average hip hop crew, then...

BRIGHT LIGHTS
27 November 2011 / The Deaf Institute / Manchester
:: Lanterns On The Lake :: Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell ::
Dreamy folk and shoegazey sounds, just what you want on a Sunday night. Lots of people seem to agree.

THREE FOR TWO (QUID): STUDENTLAND SPECIAL
24 November 2011 / Trof (Fallowfield) / Manchester
:: Shark Teeth (formerly Blood Oranges) :: Two Wounded Birds :: Younghusband ::
Though they’re clearly retro in sound and influence, there’s something about the way it all fits together that is sumptuously satisfying and curiously right and modern.

BLAKE'S HEAVEN
26 November 2011 / The Warehouse Project / Manchester
:: James Blake :: Vondelpark :: Mount Kimbie ::
Somehow the pop star from the future became a pop star of the present, even if there's something decidedly weird about hearing a crowd singing along to the heavily processed vocals...

WHIP UP THE VOLUME
25 November 2011 / Club Academy (Academy 4) / Manchester
:: Whipcord ::
Tonight Manchester was served a little reminder of how heavy rock needn’t be clichéd or trite.

SHOOTING FROM BOTH SIDES
04 November 2011 / Academy 1 / Manchester
:: Magazine :: In Fear Of Olive ::
So this is real life, your telling me, and everything is where it ought to be...

BANGERS AND MOSH
05 November 2011 / Academy 1 / Manchester
:: The Blackout :: We Are The Ocean :: Canterbury :: Page 44 ::
An explosion of music on this cold Bonfire Night

ARE YOU CALLING ME A LYRE?
15 November 2011 / The Deaf Institute / Manchester
:: David's Lyre :: I Am Blackbird :: Beware! Beware! ::
He's not called David and the jury's out as to whether he has a lyre or not: we investigate a young man whom we reckon is going to be in a few "Sound Of 2012" lists, and come away none the wiser.

BEAST-REALITY
16 November 2011 / Manchester Cathedral / Manchester
:: Wild Beasts ::
Wild Beasts, Cumbria’s finest export since Wordsworth and Barrow Pie provide a special opportunity to see a band performing at the peak of their power

SMASHED PUMPKIN?
18 November 2011 / Academy / Sheffield
:: Smashing Pumpkins :: Ringo Deathstarr ::
The glory days may be a long way behind The Smashing Pumpkins in 2011, but Billy Corgan appears determined to bring them back in his own very unique way

DON'T LET THE BELL END
17 November 2011 / Trof (Fallowfield) / Manchester
:: The Bell Peppers :: Fear of Men :: Bos Angeles ::
The band are honest enough to admit that the slightly detuned guitars are accidental (as a result of leaving them lent against a radiator)

PAINTING A NOISY PICTURE
12 November 2011 / The Roadhouse / Manchester
:: Young British Artists ::
Each member twists and contorts themself as they deliver a brutal and beautiful set.

GOING IT ALONE
10 November 2011 / Dulcimer (Chorlton) / Manchester
:: Gerard Starkie :: Najia Bagi ::
Now Then Manchester present an intimate evening with Gerard Starkie who enjoyed acclaim as a member of Witness, and Najia Bagi who is the voice of To Sophia, Electronic Exchange and The Ground.

CONSTELLATIONS 2011: A GALAXY OF GREAT LIVE MUSIC
12 November 2011 / Various Venues / Leeds
:: Islet :: Vessels :: Wild Beasts :: Stephen Malkmus :: Ringo Deathstarr :: Bos Angeles :: Exitmusic :: Big Deal :: Outfit :: Hookworms ::
A one day four venue festival packed with exciting bands that brings a bit of May mayhem into the middle of November: sensibly, the four venues are all under one roof.

WINTER MUSIC
08 November 2011 / Band On The Wall / Manchester
:: Nils Frahm :: Alexander Tucker :: Date Palms ::
There's a grand piano on the stage, along with a vintage Yamaha electric, evidence of a string quartet and enough boxes and cables to launch a spaceship. This is not your average gig...

ACID TRIP
07 November 2011 / Ruby Lounge / Manchester
:: GNOD :: Acid Mothers Temple ::
Wasn't punk meant to have saved us from wizardy men bending guitars for hours on end?

KNOW YOUR ONIONS
05 November 2011 / The Castle (Oldham St) / Manchester
:: Onions :: Pearl And The Beard ::
The connection between having a band member named James Brown and producing non stop action is tenuous...

THURSDAY NIGHT VENUE CRAWL
03 November 2011 / Various Venues / Manchester
:: Politburo :: Warm Widow :: The Christophers :: Paul Green ::
This used to be the time of year where Mancunians could always go to more gigs than there were days, although the In The City shaped hole in 2011 has rather deprived us of the joys of venue-hopping - mostly. Not tonight.