On Friday night, Gorillaz kicked off their ‘The Mountain’ tour at Manchester’s Co-op Live. In what can only be described as a striking, immersive spectacle, Damon Albarn lead the virtual band through a masterclass performance. Every single inch of the stage was utilised by the extensive, diverse array of live instruments, and the on-screen graphics truly transported the audience into their virtual world. Overall, the finely-honed stagecraft and attention to detail was omnipr

Belfast duo Chalk lay down a collection of tracks that blur the lines between genres and identity. Capturing the volatile and brash sounds of acts such as Fat Dog , Young Fathers and TOOL , ‘ Crystalpunk’ is an intense, yet emotional reflection on contending with the pressures of everyday life. Photo Cedit: Patricia Rosingana Opener ‘ Tongue ’ is an industrial, head spinning track that like a factory floor is a layer of mechanical noise. ‘ Pain ’, a groovier track, that f

Dublin Indie outfit Big Sleep were one of our ones to watch in 2026. Why? Because every single track they have released has hooked us in with its own unique personality. From silky indie sounds to angular, punchy singles, their songs always managed to embody a particular emotive theme from start to finish. Their debut album ‘Holy Show’ has well and truly delivered on their promise and given us a wonderful collection of tracks filled with their powerful and poignant spirit.

‘ Headwind ’ delivers an early taste of summer-infested struggle wrapped in a bittersweet guitar-heavy delight. The Silver Bars are taking to the spotlight with a sound similar to that of The Mysterines and Gathering of Strangers , leaving many fans aching for more. This single is the third to follow the release of the band’s 2023 EPs ‘ Modern Features ’ and ‘ Peace in Our Time ’, defining a new era of music for the five-piece collective. The song travels through a mix of

Jazz legend Courtney Pine returns to Liverpool's Tung Auditorium on Saturday 14th March with this award-winning show, House of Legends . Courtney Pine (Credit: One Fell Swoop) In 1986 a 22 year old Courtney Pine appeared on the front cover of the iconic British music publication NME, he is the only Black British jazz artist to do so - the last quote in a two page interview read “You know I’m doing this for a reason” and you better believe he still is… House of Legends is a ve

On Friday night, the Liverpool's O2 Academy saw Man/Woman/Chainsaw supported by Little Grandad. This event is probably best described as the inside of the weird kid's orchestra practice room. There were instruments scattered around the stage, a couple of the performers had made it into suits but most of them were in stripy tights and graphic tshirts, and the music was an experimental mixing pot of everything from David Bryne to Fat White Family. And it was brilliant. Little

Creepy Crawly , the project of songwriter Rachel Cawley , brings a sound reminiscent of early 2000s Indie with the newest single ‘ Buttercup’. The sweet and subtle intro consisting of beautiful acoustic chords accompanied by light drumming of quaint cymbals is perfect for the current changing of seasons from winter into spring. The instrumental exudes life faintly hinting at the hope for better days ahead, the guitar itself almost fruiting throughout the song like a flower w

‘Magic’ immediately begins with a motif that Rachel Rimmer , the frontwoman behind Hot Springs , declares with a mysterious ambiance, “I’ve got magic in my pocket” . However, she does not wish to elaborate upon her sorcery, “ You can’t have it!” , perhaps preferring to show rather than to tell. ‘Magic’ quickly catapults itself into an infectious groove, The bass and drums become the driving force behind the song, providing a steady canvas onto which Rachel projects her d

Dutch seven-piece Son Mieux have cultivated a distinctly bright sound that is a testament to the talent of each individual. Their new single ‘Dark Before The Dawn’ is vast and exciting. Dynamic instrumentals and crisp vocals create an anthemic track full of infectious optimism. Bouncy strings open the track with an energetic lightness, before the voices of Camiel Meiresonne and Maud Akkermans effortlessly trade lines, each one crisp and resonant, elevating and compliment

After dropping their sophomore album 'NATIONAL AVERAGE' last summer, completely by surprise, Black Country duo BIG SPECIAL immediately cemented their place as one of the most exciting new Rock acts in the country. Their blend of cynical social commentary and angsty Punk attitude blended with moments of more thoughtful, vocal reflections has hints of Yard Act and Sleaford Mods while also embodying a definitively unique spirit all of their own. Photo credit: @honeyrobertsp

Norwegian rockers Poor Bambi really know how to immerse you in sound. Their music has a knack for making you lose yourself in the middle of a dense sonic whirlwind and this has never been more true that on their debut album ‘Skyscrapers Soaring, Yet We’re Drowning’ . The title track opens the proceedings with an instant wall of noise! A cacophony of densely layered guitar textures and thrashing drums unleash hell and immediately trap you in a dramatic Punk Rock tension. The

We recently took time off from our usual schedule of attending gigs and interviewing artists to visit one of the most talked about restaurants in the North-West that promised a unique audio-tasting experience. Situated in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle, Manifest was opened by Chef Patron Paul Durand and his wife and business partner Charlotte Jones in 2022. Inspired by Paul’s travels around Europe, the wine bar and restaurant offers a combination of relaxed European dining an

The new single from Buxton singer-songwriter Isaac Neilson sets him in good stead to begin working on his debut album. With an already loyal following, 2026 is undoubtedly a year of success and growth for the indie artist. Photo Credit: Kevin Donnelly Packed with energy and attitude, ‘No Affection’ is bound to be a crowd pleaser. The raw lyricism is charged with passion and authenticity. The electric guitar heats the song up perfectly whilst the drums build intensity and rh

STONE have been one of the most exciting, visceral acts in the Liverpool scene for a good few years now. They’ve gained a cult following for the intensity of their live shows and last year they finally delivered what the fans had been calling for… their debut album. ‘Fear Life For A Lifetime’ was a poignant culmination of their journey so far and was a fierce Rock record laced with heartfelt undertones. However, there was a rumbling in the background that the album release p

Celebrating the 20 th anniversary of their debut album in 2025, Kaiser Chiefs’ 20 Years of Employment tour truly took fans back in time. The Indie Rock band hailing from Leeds found success with their debut album, ‘Employment’ , released in 2005 and selling over three million copies. Playing the full album alongside their greatest hits, Kaiser Chiefs rocked their Manchester performance from start to finish on Saturday, 14 th February 2026. Supported by Corella , O2 Victo

Since we last saw Cardinals back in 2024 when they supported Been Stellar , it’s clear a lot has changed. Gone are the fresh-faced, Fred Perry-clad members of the past. Now they enter the stage – hoodies up and puffer coats still on – as a band who no longer need to question their place in the room. The shift is subtle but clear. Where they once carried themselves as EP-era hopefuls, tonight they stand firm in the identity their debut has carved out. That confidence bleeds i

Given that Ash burst out of the blocks with their debut album ‘1977’ thirty years ago, the youth of today would be forgiven for not being familiar with the nature of these Northern-Irish alternative rock and rollers. But whilst ignorance may be understood, it is certainly still pitied, because an Ash gig is a palate-cleanser that we could all do with - a night off from reality, on a harsh winter’s evening. Photo Credit: Paul Lang They kick the gig off with the barnstorming

The newest single from the Indie Rock band Paradise Circus starts innocently with the strumming of an acoustic guitar before exploding into a soundscape filled with electronic, guitar-driven layers. ‘Nevermind’ feels like a track you have heard before as it oozes a nostalgic yet melancholic tone while feeling like a breath of fresh air for the Indie Rock genre. As lead singer David Purchase sings with raw vocals “ I don’t know if you feel the same way, maybe we’ll meet agai

Ahead of the BRIT Awards coming to Manchester for the first time in its history, The K’s took to the Gorilla Stage on Friday night in support of War Child as part of the highly-anticipated Brits week lineup. The Merseyside quartet showcased their ever-growing prowess on the concert stage to a sold-out crowd, creating the perfect sense of communal celebration not only for their music, but for an incredible cause. Photo Credit: Paul Lang / @paullangphotographer On what would

Australian four-piece Radium Dolls have taken the Alt- Rock scene by storm since the release of their first album in 2024. Known for explosive live performances, the band has a talent for combining humour and introspection with blistering, intense instrumentals. Their recent sophomore album ‘Wound Up’ is an eleven-part dive into raw storytelling and anthemic musicality. Photo Credit: Danysha Harriott The album’s second track ‘Scorching Heat’ exemplifies the band’s knack