Opinion

Slowly but surely, The Arena Crewe is becoming one of my favourite venues in Crewe, thanks to the vision and verve of co-owner Lawrence Thomason and his hard working team, point proven by his event on April 11th 2025, Original Bands Night. As the title says, the four bands all …

Reviewers: Alex English and Ant Firmin // Photos: Ant FirminDown a narrow staircase, beneath the low ceilings of a Halifax pub, time seems to slow. The flicker of fairy lights and the low murmur of voices give the space an almost secretive feel – like stumbling into a hidden ritual. …

Easter Sunday afternoon 2024 will always remain in my memory as West Midland based band Jayler were certainly the loudest, youngest and most flamboyant band I’ve seen at the Cosey Club in Haslington, playing at the CozyZone event. A two hour set (with no break) flew by on a barrage …

Manchester’s own post rock festival is a cinematic masterpiece

Tonight, the ‘StratMaster’ Philip Sayce returns to the UK with special guest Troy Redfern to kick off his 10-date tour in support of his latest album, The Wolves Are Coming, released earlier this year. Photo by Alex English Troy Redfern King of Slide guitar, Troy Redfern is a two-man band tonight …

With a boxing event and a gig at each of Manchester’s arenas, as well as City had just finishing their football game, and a major road closure, the result could only end up being epic gridlock in Manchester’s City Centre which in turn meant that the final mile of my …

Before their recent outstanding show in Manchester, Ant Firmin managed to tackle the trio ‘BERRIES’ for a chat where we discussed Biffy Clyde, Jimi Hendrix, tacos, walking through massive puddles and playing on cabaret stages. So sit back and enjoy the video…

Where does the time go? It’s hard to believe that my first Takeaway Thieves gig was an acoustic set at the Waterloo in Blackpool, June 16th 2018. It was only their second gig, the first being the night before after only nine rehearsals, opening up a five band bill to …

The long drive from Manchester to York is made even longer by rush hour traffic, what should have been a 90 minute drive ended up being 3 hours, fortunately I left plenty of time for such eventualities. Once at the Barbican the first thing that strikes me is how fabulous …

The Dead Daisies ignite the Picturedrome in Holmfirth It has been over a decade since the supergroup’ The Dead Daisies hit the scene. Let’s make some noise tonight as singer John Corabi is back, bitch, along with ‘The Meat-Machine’ Tommy Clufetos, pounding those skins!  If that’s not enough to get …

With his distinctive style, Laurence Jones is at the vanguard of the British blues scene. Ant Firmin caught up with him at Firevolt Festival to discuss what he is up to, his influences, how to stay healthy on the road, and how to practise singing. Laurence Jones can be found …

Down on the farm at Whitebottom Estates set in the idyllic surroundings of Etherow Country Park, you’ll find the location of Firevolt ‘Rock’ Festival. Who promises you three days of Face Metlting ROCK!! With an average of nine bands playing each day, the mayhem kicks off just after mid-day, giving …

Ant Firmin managed to grab a couple of minutes with those gurning Icelandic madmen, The Vintage Caravan, after their set to discuss regrets, hums, grunts, and their guitarist giving birth (he’s reading up on it)!! HOME https://www.facebook.com/vintagecaravan https://linktr.ee/thevintagecaravan?fbclid=IwY2xjawFAcHpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZ4uIOtXu9Aih1l_lWc4uWVWrhBXB4mpao6wPfOnv_ZZTlithmQAXbzSFQ_aem_xLY-hl5fq8ahqcv3tKdhvw More PlanetMosh at FireVolt Festival Interviews here – https://www.youtube.com/@PlanetMoshTV The Vintage Caravan photos …

PlanetMosh interviewed Stone Broken backstage at Firevolt ’24 before their storming set a little later. We talked about their return to this great festival, releasing new music, highlighting being a rock star in Nashville after stuffing their faces, hotel escapades in the USA and Europe, and some great photos! www.stonebroken.com …

With youth and exuberance on their side, and having performed a killer set on Saturday lunchtime at Firevolt Festival ’24, Alex sits down with the lads from Jayler to discuss white shirts and waistcoats to their wide-ranging musical influences. Links to Jayler are here:- http://jayler.co.uk  Jayler band: James Bartholomew -Lead Vocals/Guitar, …

A week ago today, Toronto’s The Commoners came to play the penultimate date of their UK Summer Tour at The Belgrave Music Hall in Leeds. Joining them as a special guest and main support is guitarist and singer-songwriter Madison Galloway. Madison Galloway sets our spirits free on this hot summer evening …

The March Violets – Crocodile Promises Tour gig Review

Whenever the name Amigo The Devil pops up I get an overwhelming rush of excitement. It is just over a year since I last saw ATD performing for the first time at tonight’s venue ‘The Wardrobe’ on the ‘Hungover in UK/Europe’ Tour in 2023. In support of the recently released …