review
Live Review: The Cribs – Leeds First Direct Arena 20/05/2017
What’s better than a hometown band playing a hometown arena show? Pulled Apart By Horses dominate the stage early on. With I Punched A Lion In The Throat having the biggest impact early on, the anarchic punk rock vibes pack a huge punch. There isn’t a huge crowd down yet but the few numbers that …
EP Review: HEL! – Romantically Stunted
HEL! is the stage name of a dungaree-clad 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Liverpool, otherwise known as Helena MacCormack. Her debut EP, Romantically Stunted, released on 23rd April 2017, shares optimistic melodies with revealing and amusing lyrics to construct songs which are both catchy and thought-provoking. The EP opens with ‘Confession’, a stripped back and simple song …
Album Review: The Courtneys – II
When it comes to modern Indie Rock and Surf Rock, the general consensus is that if it is not done correctly, it can grow old very fast. Thankfully, Canadian trio The Courtneys have yet to figure out how to make a bad song. Even by barely changing their sound over the course of two albums, …
Live Review: Woodburner at the Yoke
The ‘need to know’… Festival name: Woodburner at the Yoke Location: Yoke Farm, Upper Hill, Hereford. Setting: Rough woodland and soft fields. Transport: Train to Hereford/Leominster and then buses, taxis or lifts if you have a lovely friend and/or some surplus booze. But, I hear in the future there may be organised minibuses so watch …
Festival Review: Live At Leeds 2016
Live At Leeds festival celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, taking over venues all across the city to showcase the best of British music and introducing you to your new favourite bands. This year was bigger than ever; every venue was full to capacity from the start as people of all ages came out to …
EP: Alex G – ‘Share Your Story’
One of the things I’m constantly amazed by is how music can become a tool for transformation. A tool for coming to terms with inner emotions and that it has the power to change an outlook. The latest release from Alex G is one that has an incredible concept to it. Taking personal and individual …
Live Review: Catfish and The Bottlemen and Little Comets, O2 Academy Sheffield, 4.4.2015
Around Valentine’s Day last year, I was sent to the Leadmill to review two indie bands mid-way through their UK tour. Little did I know I would be reviewing those same two bands, together, as they tour once again in 2015 – just bigger venues this time. Catfish and the Bottlemen began as support for Little Comets, …
Reissues: Tyrannosaurus Rex
Marc Bolan’s reputation as one of the 20th Century’s greatest pop stars is forever tied to the material he released as the frontman of T.Rex, one of the finest glam rock bands of the 70s. Of course, much like his contemporary, David Bowie, Bolan’s journey to the crown prince of sequinned pop stardom had been …
Live Review: Screaming Maldini – The Final Show – Queens Social Club – 05.12.14
And so this was it, the last show for Screaming Maldini. The room was packed with people that came together to give them the send off they deserved with a mix of absolute enthusiasm and tears. Coming onto the stage one by one, each member was greeted with a roar of applause and cheering, Maldini …
Film Review: Between Dog And Wolf: The New Model Army Story
There’s a section(by Lina Skaisgiryte) in the programme notes for this eagerly-anticipated film that really caught my eye: “At the heart of it, this documentary also explores a deep, dark fear: the fear of not making a mark on the world, the fear of being forgotten.” And there, in the second half, as Director Matt Reid is …