in 2015 Nadine Khouri played at a festival local to me called The End. I wrote: “Khouri’s compositions are beautifully crafted, sophisticated and precise, overlaid with her soft, smokey vocals.” Those vocals and her ability to create haunting compositions can be heard on new single “Song of A Caged Bird”, out now. Nadine’s steady and…
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The Finsbury pub and music venue has been quietly getting on with hosting music practically every night for many years and it’s surprising how many local(ish) people just don’t know about its existence. I became a convert after The Bedroom Hour played there and that was back in 2014. Apart from the music there’s a…
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We need to keep Brixton Academy from closure. The met police have requested it is closed for good. However with a change of security and of management surely this iconic and famous venue could be saved. At the moment, the live music scene is in a fragile state and we need every venue kept open.…
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It’s been ages since I went to The Shacklewell Arms for a gig, and it was a reminder not to overlook this venue: welcoming vibe, good space for bands and amazing Lebanese Street Food cooked to order by Jellyfish Organic (soon to move to Hackney Wick). Both the bands playing tonight, support Looking Glass Alice followed…
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Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’s Andy McCluskey will join Liverpool indie rockers Red Rum Club and psychedelic pop queen Jane Weaver as they become members of Welcome To Eurotopia, – a supergroup made up of Liverpool musicians and Ukrainian artists who will take to the stage at 9:30pm on the Pier Head on 5 May…
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Barely over jet lag from SXSW, The Orielles are touring the UK and on Wednesday they played their London appearance at Electric Brixton. The band’s 2022 double album Tableau had me hooked from first listen and I was interested to hear those songs live. Making a substantial shift from their former sunny, garagey sound, Tableau…
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This International Women’s Day I’m thinking about all those female artists making it in an industry that isn’t always female friendly. I’m listening to BBC Radio 6, enjoying a whole day of music courtesy of female artists. It’s got me thinking of all the amazing women I’ve seen and listened to over the years –…
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The Calder Valley has built up an extraordinary reputation of being a cradle of musical talent with The Orielles, Working Men’s Club, The Lounge Society and many more emerging from its atmospheric, intense and brooding landscape. And recently the unique folk music of Trevor Beale was discovered, testament to local creative talent harking back to…
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It’s an exciting moment when we hear of new work… and a tour by Sparks. Enduringly brilliant, Sparks return this year with a tour, so be ready on your keyboards (with your coffee) very soon… Having previously announced 2 nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall and 3 performances at Primavera Sound Festival in Spain and Portugal,…
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This new single by IST IST was launched in December but we’re flagging it up as we’re excited about the band’s upcoming album. Mary In the Black and White Room is taken from the Manchester band’s upcoming third album called Protagonists, out 31st March, via Kind Violence records. IST IST produce a dense and uncompromising…
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