Twenty years since it first landed in Daresbury, Creamfields has cemented itself as one of the UK’s biggest dance music festivals, and this was my first time making the trip. Located just outside Warrington, the site pulls crowds from Liverpool and Manchester in their thousands, alongside ravers from every corner of the country. Several transport options run into the site, with signposts and security stationed throughout to keep the flow of thousands moving in the right dire

Keyside didn’t ease their way into their debut album ‘Keyside’ , they kicked the door wide open. With driving guitars and soaring choruses, Keyside makes an immediate statement of intent. But beneath the bright and infectious surface of the album, lies something darker. With songs tackling addiction and emotional struggle yet never losing their irresistible sense of melody. ‘Runaway’ establishes the balance of the album immediately. With the upbeat guitar line and expansive c

Cutscene Perhaps miraculously, the underground scene is proving, through the venue closures and the AI slop and the touring costs, that it is still alive and well. And right now, there is no one better to prove this than Cutscene, a Manchester based four-piece who have just released their debut EP ‘A Piece of Life’. It clearly feeds off of the modern scene, heavily inspired by the post-punk grit of Fontaines and the grunge-gaze fuzz of Ovlov. Photo Credit: Gracie Hall Their E

Located in Manchester's Northern Quarter, Maki & Ramen serves up traditional Japanese dining with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We paid them a visit to try their famous Ramen and the first thing that struck us was the decor. The room is bright and colourful, filled with mirrors and bright pink flowers hanging down the wooden beams, giving the room a fresh, Japanese feel. The traditional Japanese drum that is struck by the waiters when you arrive instantly gives your trip a

Back in 19th century New York history, some people in the area didn’t know how trains worked. The ‘Westside Cowboys’ were born from this, horseback riders who helped keep train speeds in check. This is where the Manchester indie folk band originated their obscure but fitting name as Westside Cowboy, a band that invites you in to join their herd with folk infused alt rock tracks from their debut album ‘It Goes On’. This eleven track brand new album features a variety to liste

Nestled on Tib Street in the heart of Manchester's Northern Quarter is the cosy local Italian Soots. Offering a homely, free-going atmosphere and perhaps the most appealing menu of vegan Italian dishes we've seen, the restaurant was a perfect summer treat. The first noticeable quality of Soots is the atmosphere. As you walk in you feel like you're walking into the backroom of a local family, in the best possible way. The kitchen is small, open-plan and completely visible to t

Lewis Capaldi and Loyle Carner are set to take over Liverpool's Sefton Park on Saturday August 15th for In The Park with Capaldi set to deliver his biggest-ever outdoor headline show in the city. Loyle Carner will be bringing his signature blend of diaristic lyricism and genre-defying sound to Liverpool. Twice shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and the recipient of multiple BRIT and NME Award nominations, Carner has built a global following with over 1.1 billion streams to his

LAUGHTERAMA, Manchester’s mega-hit comedy festival, returns to Castlefield Bowl from 2nd-6th September with five nights of incredible open-air comedy, with MICHELLE WOLF set to headline the final night. Tickets are available here. Just announced, primetime Emmy nominee, Have I Got News For You star, and international comedy powerhouse Michelle Wolf will headline the final show, joining a line-up already packed with comedy stars. Michelle is known for her sharp wit, candid sto

On a dreaded sunny day in Manchester, Johnny Marr took to the stage at Castlefield Bowl, for a homecoming gig as part of the Sounds of the City festival. Looking effortlessly cool as always, Marr strutted onto the stage adorning sunglasses and a denim jacket, wielding his trademark Fender Jaguar. Photo Credit: Aaron Parsons As he opened with the catchy Generate Generate, the usual tradition of train passengers waving from the bridge towering above began instantly, with one dr

We couldn't think of a better way to spend one of the hottest evenings of the year than sampling three of the most exciting UK performers while lapping up the summer sunshine. Well, this is exactly what we were treated to at Manchester's Castlefield Bowl this week as Wet Leg, English Teacher and THEATRE took to the stage in the blistering heat. Photo Credit: Harry Proctor // @harry.proctor.56 The natural amphitheatre of Castlefield Bowl immediately brings a cinematic quality

Despite the miserable weather in Manchester on Wednesday evening, American Indie Folk singer Annabelle Dinda had no problem uplifting the crowd with her energetic set. Dancing with her band on stage, the singer’s whimsical energy was felt by the audience, whose cheers got louder with the more songs she played. As her set came to a close, there were chants of ‘one more song’ and ‘another one’ that proved Annabelle had successfully done her job of warming up the crowd. The exci

Soul-crushing lyricism, angelic voices, and enchanting tunes- what more could you ask for on a Wednesday night in Manchester. This was exactly what dreamy, folky, singer-songwriter, Evie Moran, delivered as well as her opening act, Bryony Lloyd, at Band on The Wall, in the heart of the Northern quarter. Behind its rainbow painted doors beheld a show just as colourful. Photo Credit: Jake Cook With a low-lit ambience, opener Bryony Lloyd joined the stage, bringing audience m

Merseyside's multi-venue festival Sound City returned once again on Bank holiday weekend and proved why we love it so much. Running from venue to venue to catch everyone on your packed schedule, inevitably bumping into your best mates, your favourite band and that ex you haven't spoke to in 5 years... Photo Credit: Paul Lang (@paullangphotographer) // BOOT Magazine With an absolutely stacked line up filled with the most exciting new acts from the UK and beyond, are schedule w

Although Manchester's Brit-Pop Indie legends James have been playing for over 40 years, we knew they would still have a few tricks up their sleeve ready to make the gig a standout performance. The hype for the show started hours before they came on, with hundreds flocked outside the stadium wearing James ’ signature daisy on t-shirts, hats, hoodies and bags. Despite the overarching nostalia of the night, there were people of all ages queuing at every entrance, speaking to the

There is a delicious irony in watching one of the most abrasive bands in the UK right now perform in a room bathed in neon pink. Last Thursday, Mandy, Indiana took to the Yes Bar Pink Room stage for the opening night of the BBC Radio 6 music festival delivering a performance that solidified their status as the definitive torchbearers of European noise rock. Mandy, Indiana (BBC 6 Music) Following a blisteringly high-octane support act in Silverwingkiller , the Manchester/ Berl

BBC 6 Music Festival 2026 saw a weekend packed full of some of the most exciting breakthrough acts such as Mandy, Indiana as well as Indie legends like Bloc Party. However, our favourite moment of the festival was the reappearance of Leed's Post-Punk troubadours Yard Act who filled out The Pink Room at YES for a thunderous and experimental return. Yard Act // BBC 6 MUSIC Firstly, it has to be said what a treat it is to see one of the countries biggest and best Indie/Alte

Last week, Norwegian singer-songwriter Sigrid took over Manchester Academy to showcase her new infectious 2025 album 'There's Always More That I Could Say' . Her notable confidence and comfortability in the spotlight let the connection between herself and her audience prevail, driving an energetic set that underscored her undeniable enjoyment and on-stage prowess. Photo Credit: Paul Lang // @paullangphotographer She kicked off her set with ‘I’ll Always Be Your Girl’ , the op

Over the last 5 years, Better Joy , the project of Bria Keely , has gradually stoked the flames of Manchester’s indie scene. Introspective and emotionally raw lyrics have crafted a unique sound that lies somewhere between The Strokes and Phoebe Bridgers . The final few months of last year saw the release of her second EP ‘at dusk’, shortly followed by a tour announcement with a run of dates across the UK and Ireland. BOOT caught up with her at her hometown show in the iconic

Georgia Johnson headlined a sold out show at ARCHIVE in Liverpool on Thursday night, taking to the stage after four other excellent artists from a range of genres had warmed up the crowd. Accompanied by a cellist/banjo player, drummer, lead guitarist, bassist and trumpet player, Georgia Johnson and her band captivated the room at the cosy and intimate venue, but you could easily imagine them selling out much larger venues with their dazzling stage presence. Georgia was clea

The Good Times and HSP Presents have announced So Long Good Friday, a new multi-venue all-dayer in Liverpool showcasing the best new music at an affordable price. In spring 2026, a brand new all-dayer brings some of the most exciting upcoming bands to Liverpool for a multi-venue all-dayer. Taking place on 3rd April, the first edition of So Long, Good Friday already boasts an impressive lineup, including a headline set from rising rock ‘n’ roll cowboys Fat Dog. The London-born