We caught Delaner at District for a headline show that felt less like another date on the calendar and more like a marker of progression. Busy from the first doors, there was a sense early on that this was a band stepping into their own space. Operating within an Indie Rock framework, Delaner blend loud, rhythm-driven arrangements with emotive songwriting and dynamic shifts, drawing from classic alternative influences while maintaining a distinctly modern edge. The band’s s

In times where music can seem commercialised and inauthentic, ‘A Different Animal’ by Dog Years opposes this entirely. There is an unapologetic rawness to the vocals and lyrics. Feelings bubble under the surface throughout the verses which are unleashed in the chorus. Pairing this with the punchy electric guitar that vibrates around your ears and entire body, combines fun and playfulness with musical power. Dog Years utilises the contrast between the quietness of the bridg

Dubinki’s new single ‘Back to Basics’ starts with nostalgic guitar and drums, reminiscent of many an early-2000s Indie tune, but they take the nostalgia and turn it into a modern insight of our wants and needs, battling against derealisation and the uncomfortable feeling of being ‘me’ .   Aside from the lyrics, ‘Back To Basics’ has a contagious, foot-tapping quality, but the lyrics take it from great to superb. Dubinski explore the feeling of wanting to be better and prac

Keyside returned to Liverpool last Friday with an exceptional sold-out headline performance at the O2 Academy  as part of their 2025 UK tour. Following a busy summer on the festival circuit, featuring BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend , and supporting the likes of The Wombats , Keyside  continue to prove themselves as one of the North West’s most exciting rising bands. Photo Credit: Marieke Macklon Supported by The Cases  and The Kowloons , both acts delivered rocking performances th

Barnsley native Joshua Hawkes has proven his talent for dimensional, emotional writing and continues to contribute fresh sounds to the Indie Singer/Songwriter scene. His recent single ‘Carry It All’ combines the strengths of his previous singles in one anthemic track.   Indie-Folk undercurrents, reminiscent of  Mumford and Sons, combine with crisp, energetic instrumentals and thoughtful lyrics reminiscent of Sam Fender . The result is a sense of clarity within every elem

Over the last two years The Last Dinner Party have sky rocketed from exciting newcomers to one of the most acclaimed bands in the UK. Having broken through with the hit ‘Nothing Matters’ which blew up online, they quickly proved that they’re far more than a one hit wonder. Their debut album ‘Prelude To Ecstasy’ was one of the standout albums of 2024, filled with a shimmering expressionist singles, giving graceful Baroque Pop ballads a maximalist twist to wonderful effect. 

‘Is It Too Late To Freak Out?’, Lowgirl’s greatly anticipated debut album, is almost too intimate to listen to. It holds the kind of material that Suzanne Vega would write about turning her head away from; yearning and hauntingly dark.  At its root, it is pure indie, wandering around like a Laufey tune, stumbling into the gentle embrace of Adrianne Lenker. Yet there is something else that drives it, an electric pulse, a heartbeat that runs through it at 120bpm. It takes on th

Tucked away on the corner of Hardman Street, one of Liverpool’s most beloved grassroots venues, Quarry , begins to swell with swathes of eager fans of local band Monks , as they prepare for the final show of the year. Photo Credit: Kieran Shayle Stepping down into the newly re-opened venue, the intimate 250 capacity lent an air of exclusivity and mystique to the evening, which was only emphasised by the dimly-lit rooms, draped in veils of smoke and occasionally pierced by sha

You can’t help but be lured in by the melodic, haunting pull of soft siren ’s new single,  ‘California Heatwave’ . The side project, formed by members of Sidewalks and Skeletons and CASHFORGOLD , they join forces to produce a dark spectral fusion of gothic sound. The layered guitars shimmer and wash over you, while a familiar bass line drifts beneath, creating a Shoegazey haze that feels both nostalgic and otherworldly. Photo Credit: soft siren 2025 The vocals rise into the

Even before the release of their first EP, Søftbleach are making waves that transcend the boundaries of Pop and their single ‘ Ego Boost ’ has our hearts pounding. Boundless vocals from Darla Jade illuminate the intimacy of longing with the trepidation of self-discovery and self-confidence. In the aftermath, our egos are rightly bolstered and our minds struck with this captivating melody. Multi-instrumentalist Dustin Dooley unleashes ethereal distorted guitars which pulse

CARNE ’s new single ‘Lurk’  hits like a creeping shadow. Shoegaze meets Grunge on a Metal backdrop, the track swells with thick, distorted guitars and sudden, powerful breakdowns that punch straight through the mix. Vocally, it leans into that raw, 90s edge — Courtney Love  grit with a modern bite — backed by wrenching screams that lift the intensity even further. Lyrically, ‘ Lurk ’  sits in a world of paranoia and obsession: “something is awry,” “fire lingers,” desire simme

Following their debut album at the end of last year, Brisbane’s Layer Cake have released a pair of singles in 2025, the most recent being the melodic and reflective ‘ HEY MR. ’   The track combines soft guitar, light synthesizers and a delicate and masterfully blended vocal harmony, creating a breezy and dreamy feeling around the track, despite the seriousness of its lyrical content.  Layer Cake 2025 Instantly, the band present an internal conflict as they ask “Hey mister, w

Future Yard on the 22nd of November was a little like an old picture of your parents; slightly hazy, glamorously messy and probably fueled by something not mentioned after the night is over.  Opening this affair were Idyllic, a jumble of jangly 60s guitar lines and 90s indie-rock crescendos. They’re the back room of an old record shop, bits of Jimi Hendrix  and a couple of tunes by The Verve , with whisky stained dust sleeves and old guitar picks that rattle around. Each song

Temeraire - an ensemble born from Liverpool’s music course - unveiled their first acoustic set within the warm, rustic embrace of Artefact , a venue that seemed to inhale and exhale with the band’s every note. The evening unfolded like a tapestry of brassy hues, yearning vocals, and a distinctly bohemian aura that lingered in the audience. The night had a gentle, handmade sound, each charming song being another step into their budding music career. Photo Credit: Will Litton

Alessi Rose has emerged as one of the UK's most exciting new pop sensations in recent years. Her bold, cutting lyricism, alluring gothic aesthetic and infectious songwriting has earned her masses of adoring young fans as well as huge support slots alongside the likes of Tate McRae and Noah Kahan . Now, she has embarked on her own big UK tour, landing in Liverpool on Friday 21st November and we were there to capture it! Photo Credit: Paul Lang It was immediately evident how

On October 29 th , alright (okay) released their long-anticipated EP ‘ Decent (Fine) ’ ( read our review here ). Then, on November 15 th  we gathered to hear this enticing EP played live at Liverpool’s trendy venue Future Yard. Boasting five support acts, the gig was thrust into life by Grungy, eruptive three-piece colourwash , followed by the Metal-infused Face It Tegan and the haunting intensity of Broadsheet Speak , peaking   with the Punky, radiant energy of Broken Down G

Nep kicks down the door and announces herself to the Alt Pop scene with her debut album ‘Noelle’ , a raw yet optimistic coming of age project that explores the highs and lows of her Daytona upbringing. Characterised by acoustic guitar and personal songwriting, tracks like ‘I Will always Love You Alright’, draw on Bedroom Pop influences like Cavetown and mxmtoon . The album’s centrepiece, appropriately titled ‘Daytona’ , epitomises the albums Indie-Rock edge, combining raw

Bite, the debut EP from Liverpool based Sisters , is weird. It is for the people who use old sweet wrappers as bookmarks, and bunch handwritten notes at the bottom of their bag, and lose their black lipstick amongst those notes.  These people need a soundtrack, and that is exactly what Bite is. It is frantic in places, with ‘ I can’t see’ cantering towards spiralling thoughts and late nights, and ‘ Sweetness of things’ tumbling into a flurry of panicked drums.  It is gothic i

In the legendary depths of Liverpool’s Cavern Club , a raw and invigorating sound bounced off the brick walls... rising Indie quartet Courds . We felt as if we were witnessing the start of something much larger than this basement they played as the Liverpool outfit delivered an electric performance.   They launched into their set with ‘Fault Lines’ and ‘Cherry’ instantly drawing in the audience with low and melancholic verses that suddenly erupt into bursts of gritty power.

Resonant. Tender. Understated. The natural kinship between Euan Blackman and the Kazimier Stockroom is impossible to miss – their handcrafted harmony made for something quietly magical on the night of October 23rd.  The Stockroom’s exposed brick and limited capacity allows for a rare, standing-only intimacy, making it a haven for the city’s creative undercurrent. Constantly reinventing itself, the Kaz dedicates itself to amplifying new talent and celebrating authenticity ov