Bringing you all the Live Reviews that matter since 1998

BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN
28 July 2004 / Academy 1 / Manchester
:: Gillian Welch ::
There’s an overpowering simplicity that harks back to a time before the bustle and complexity of modern urban life; perhaps a part absent from our lives that we’d like to incorporate.

NEW AND NOT TRUE
23 July 2004 / Star and Garter / Manchester
:: Bullet Union :: Souza :: Q And Not U ::
MM catches up with one of Washington's DC most reverred and edgy hardcore acts.

FIRE AND FORGET
19 July 2004 / 42nd Street / Manchester
:: DeSalvo :: The Oubliette :: Swimming With Men ::
Before too long the afore mentioned bar stool is inverted and dry raped ‘Scum’ style – an aptly disturbing gesture for the brutal, warped intent of DeSalvo.

NO DOWNPOUR FOR UPROAR
23 July 2004 / Night & Day / Manchester
:: Northern Uproar :: 25th Floor ::
Do they still exist? Cath Aubergine justifies praise for one of Britain's most unlikely and least anticipated comebacks.

WELL, HERE'S TO YOU...
14 July 2004 / The Arena / Manchester
:: Simon and Garfunkel ::
The air heavy with a mixture of nostalgia and curiosity...such are the memories attached to so many of the songs performed that more than a few folk were visibly rendered tearful with joy.

FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY
12 July 2004 / Academy 3 / Manchester
:: Hope Of The States :: Engineers ::
Lads who somehow stumbled on a truly awe-inspiring sound, overcame tragedy, survived a Top of the Pops appearance and have quietly become one of the greatest bands in Britain.

THE MOVE FESTIVAL FRIDAY
09 July 2004 / Lancashire Cricket Club, Old Trafford / Manchester
:: Keane :: Elbow :: The Cure ::
As an antidote to all that smiley reggae and 80’s ska on the opening night of Move, the Friday night was to turn Old Trafford into a cathedral of maudlin, sullen and downright dingy rock.

THE MOVE FESTIVAL SUNDAY
11 July 2004 / Lancashire Cricket Club, Old Trafford / Manchester
:: The Ordinary Boys :: The Beta Band :: The New York Dolls :: Morrissey ::
Finally the man of the hour arrives to the accustomed stage set, in a dapper suit ready to bring a crowd to tears.

THE MOVE FESTIVAL SATURDAY
10 July 2004 / Lancashire Cricket Club, Old Trafford / Manchester
:: 22-20s :: Pixies :: The Stands :: Goldfrapp :: Tim Booth :: Stereophonics ::
"We’ve got some great music lined up for you like The Stereophonics!" "Boo!!!" resounds from every visible direction. Did that just happen? Something else doesn’t quite feel real as four figures enter the stage, recognisable but not altogether familiar.

GET ON THE CARPET SNAKE
12 July 2004 / Academy 2 / Manchester
:: Minus ::
It's changed time signature 17 times before I give up counting, and has taken in Metallica riffs, Fugazi brain-assault and a touch of 80s cheese-metal. But make no mistake, this is no post-ironic joke.

LOBSTER BOIL
05 July 2004 / Night & Day / Manchester
:: Mission Of Burma :: Seachange ::
The sheer power of this band is not to be underestimated, even if it sometimes sounds like the trio are each playing a different song all at once.