Bringing you all the Live Reviews that matter since 1998

THANKS, UNTHANKS
30 March 2011 / Manchester Cathedral / Manchester
:: The Unthanks :: Trembling Bells ::
What happens when a lifelong metalhead goes to a folk gig? Well, when the band in question is the wonderfully talented but very down-to-earth Unthanks, she doesn't miss the noise one bit...

THE BEST BAND IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW?
30 March 2011 / Sound Control / Manchester
:: Deerhunter ::
A classic Magazine cover, fan request and the ceremonial passing of a pineapple all become parts of a much greater whole: a Deerhunter show.

GALLOPING INTO EMPTY SPACE
29 March 2011 / Night & Day / Manchester
:: Santiago Street Machine :: Gallops :: The Narrows ::
It's a fantastic three band bill, just a shame there are so few people here to enjoy it...

LAST OF THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN
27 March 2011 / The Deaf Institute / Manchester
:: Josh T Pearson :: Richard Warren ::
No-one speaks. No-one whispers. All you hear are the sharp intakes of breath and the sound of hearts breaking. He is a unique and breathtaking talent; a man who eschews any convention of what a musician should be.

GIRLS' NIGHT OUT
26 March 2011 / Gullivers / Manchester
:: Tender Trap :: Just Handshakes (We're British) :: Letters To Fiesta ::
It's female fronted indiepop night at Underachievers Please Try Harder with three different fizzy flavours on the menu...

GLASVEGAS - BOLTON IS YOURS
25 March 2011 / The Soundhouse / Bolton (mcr)
:: Glasvegas ::
A welcome return for Glasvegas - but a performance heavily reliant on their debut album. Guess we'll have to wait a little longer to hear what they've been up to...

WELCOME TO MANCHESTER'S NEW PROGRESSIVE POP
24 March 2011 / The Castle (Oldham St) / Manchester
:: Mount Fabric :: The Narrows ::
Two shining examples of how to make modern independent pop music that's both accessibly catchy and interestingly original.

SHEFFIELD COMES TO MANCHESTER
25 March 2011 / The Factory (Fac251) / Manchester
:: The Crookes :: Seize The Chair ::
It’s no secret that a lot of people like The Smiths but The Crookes channelled the general spirit of the 80s without sounding like a covers band.

BASQUE-ING IN THE GLORY
18 March 2011 / Ruby Lounge / Manchester
:: Eagulls :: Crystal Fighters :: Get People :: Swansong ::
Crystal Fighters take their name from an unfinished opera which their backing singer's reclusive grandfather had written shortly before his death, and they have an instrument called a Txalaparta. Intrigued? We were...

COME TOGETHER AGAIN
20 March 2011 / Apollo / Manchester
:: Primal Scream ::
Try as you might to be fundamentalist about old bands doing nostalgia shows - and we do, most of the time - a little trip down memory lane is nice once in a while.

FEELING THE FUTURE
18 March 2011 / Islington Mill / Salford
:: Seefeel :: Tatamax ::
Against the grim backdrop of cheese-trance and dadrock that was the mid-nineties Seefeel saw the future, and it's great to welcome them home to a 21st century in which they always belonged.

DIFFERENT STROKES
17 March 2011 / Gullivers / Manchester
:: Womb :: Gary Fisher ::
Taking place every second Thursday at Gulliver's, the unusually-named Stroke Club is a shining example of a night where creativity is all and commerce irrelevant. Just how we like it.

MID-TABLE MATCH
15 March 2011 / Ruby Lounge / Manchester
:: The Chapman Family :: O Children ::
The Artrocker tour rolls into town with a couple of bands who at their best are capable of genuine intensity - but tonight sees both a little patchy.

NORTH COUNTRY BOYS
13 March 2011 / The Deaf Institute / Manchester
:: Aaron Wright And The Aprils :: The Charlatans :: The Watchers ::
After 21 years and eleven albums The Charlatans are still going strong - and it's not often you get the chance to see them in a 250 capacity venue. A passionate and truly special performance.

KANE & ABLE
07 March 2011 / Apollo / Manchester
:: Miles Kane ::
Kane has earned his gigging spurs and understands that it’s best not to try to p**s off a 2,000+ crowd...

AUDIOVISUAL OVERLOAD
07 March 2011 / Ruby Lounge / Manchester
:: Former Ghosts :: Christian AIDS :: Weird Era ::
In which we find ourselves watching hooded human statues, Korean missile launches, toe-sucking and somewhat unsettling atmospheric techno in the company of the entire music industry. Just an ordinary Monday night then...

SPIRIT OF REBELLION
06 March 2011 / Ruby Lounge / Manchester
:: The Boxer Rebellion :: We Are Augustines ::
Tonight has once again illustrated how they deserve to be heard on a bigger stage, but with their future looking a lot more grand.

STRICTLY HARDCORE
03 March 2011 / Ruby Lounge / Manchester
:: Flats :: Loaded Message :: Syd Bozko ::
Why are we watching this uncompromising hardcore punk band in the pleasant surroundings of Ruby Lounge when they would probably make more sense in the dark and sticky Gulliver's or Retro basement?

VESSELS SET SAIL
01 March 2011 / Academy 3 / Manchester
:: Vessels :: Charlie Barnes :: Trojan Horse :: Stuart Warwick ::
Towering post-rock, delicate atmospherics, bizarre animal facts and alleged piano stool sabotage - all this and more in a great night out on the progressive fringe.