Magma “Flippin eck, this is torture” reads a post on a Porcupine Tree fan FaceBook page.  I have to agree. We are of course talking about Magma, a band more divisive than Marmite.  I arrive late to minimise my suffering, but still have to endure 40 minutes of music that …

Motörhead play at a jazz festival in Switzerland and the sound of music is as fresh as a daisy!

Man With A Mission get all bouncy as they deliver some juicy j-altrock at Rebellion Bar, Manchester

When Rivers Meet turn in a sizzling performance at Bradford's Nightrain

The history of YES over the last 20 or so years has seen more ‘Drama’ than Coronation Street and Eastenders combined.  I’m not going to go over all the details but for fans it has been a bit of a ride. Albert Tatlock and Ena Sharples have nothing on this. …

On a warm late spring evening a blues rock explosion hits Manchester!

Bloody club nights mean early starts and fortunately, I got here just in time for the beginning of The Utopia Strong’s set, a band who have been on my ‘want to see’ list for some time.  Their ambient electronic ramblings are wonderful and snooker ace Steve Davis hits a 147 …

An evening of piano-driven post-rock with stunning visuals provides an awe inspiring show

I have had a rocky relationship with Haken over the years, whilst their shows have been somewhat of mixed quality their albums have remained consistent, but that consistency has sometimes felt like their albums are something of a facsimile of others. Come 2023 and Fauna is upon us.  This is …

The first time I saw Empyre I must admit they did nothing for me, they didn’t click at, all but at last year’s Firestorm Festival it was like watching a different band so when their new album came up for review I was eager to have a listen. The first …

On paper, this is a dream line-up but things are not working out as perhaps they should. I am hugely excited to see Kalandra, their Nordic folk infused with grinding guitar sounds has been my melancholic earworm for a while.  As an opener, they are not as loud as they …

On a wet and dreary Sunday, it is heartwarming to see a venue like The Waterloo Music Bar so busy for an evening of  NWOCR, or at least I think that is what is still called, it’s a complete contrast to the progressive metal I was listening to on the …

Punk and pop punk in particular is bursting with feminism and feminine energy, pushing boundaries, and it is an exciting time for this music.  Liverpudlians Piss Kitti are a major part of this movement and whilst they are completely new to me I am thoroughly enjoying them.  I am not …

There are far too many tribute bands these days and only a few truly stand out.  So when a band like Treacherous Cretins sets a path through the music of Frank Zappa then attention needs to be paid as they go forth to celebrate the music of Uncle Frank, tackling …

When the Megadeth livestream of their first-ever performance at the infamous Budokan in Tokyo was announced I have to admit I was a teeny bit curious because, of the “BIG FOUR” bands, they are without a shadow of a doubt, my favourite.  Interesting lyrics, Mr Mustaine’s snarly cynicism and some …

Post-rock extravaganza up in the hills Why do I always underestimate how long it takes to get to places, even when a quick look at Google maps will tell me quite clearly, and south Manchester to Hebden Bridge is quite a journey. Fortunately, Civil Service are only playing their first number …