Gill Landry and Ian Felice at The Borderline. The Borderline used to be an endearingly scruffy little venue, not out of place amongst the shabby streets around Soho. As development began in earnest, the basement venue became increasingly fragile looking so its smart overhaul in March this year is very welcome, especially the cosy seating…
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I posted this in 2017 but its message sadly rings truer than ever. “This is a place for music lovers. If you want to talk to your friends when the bands are on, please use the other bar.” The above sign is plastered prominently on the venue door at The Trades in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, one of…
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Joy Division and New Order have had a profound effect on the creative arts, inspiring not only musicians but artists, writers, illustrators and film makers. Their visual legacy is now being documented in a new exhibition opening in Manchester as part of the Manchester International Festival (MIF17). Taking place at Manchester Art Gallery from 30th…
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At the Heavenly Weekender at The Trades in Hebden Bridge back in January, Amber Arcades’ half-hour early evening set was the most engaging of the three days (young Halifax band The Orielles were the other stand-out act). The focal presence on stage is Amber Arcades’ mastermind, the very cool Annelotte De Graaf, vocalist, guitarist, songwriter. Amber Arcades…
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You know you’re at a British Sea Power gig when there’s some slightly weird stuff at the merch stall and the stage is full of foliage. The band’s new March release Let The Dancers Inherit the Party has had positive reaction from fans – it’s a triumphant, upbeat and playful collection, designed to give us hope in these dark times,…
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Julia Jacklin stands on stage at The Louisiana in Bristol as motionless as a statue, closes her eyes and manages to hush the entire room. All eyes are upon her as she starts to sing. There is a mesmerising quality to her voice, something about the rich, dreamy swoopiness which suits the Australian’s alt– country indie folk material. Then there’s her ability to…
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It doesn’t surprise me that Steve Mason forged a lasting connection with Joe Duddell at Festival No 6. Each year, a selected number of main-stage artists collaborate with Duddell and his ensemble, performing in the tiny Portmeirion Town Hall (queues for these are legendary, as only around 100 get access to the space). From what I’ve heard there isn’t much…
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Great news: young West Yorkshire three-piece The Orielles have just signed to Heavenly recordings. The band – Esme Hand Halford on bass, sister Sidonie on drums and Henry Wade on guitar, are known for their lush garagey sun-drenched sound – a Californian vibe by way of Halifax (the Califax sound, perhaps). Since the band got together they’ve been gigging…
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As Festival No 6 in Wales this summer descended into a major mudbath after two days of biblical rainfall, Wolf People took to the stage late afternoon (above). They were captivating and the turmoil of guitars suited the inclement weather, but I decided I’d enjoy them more sometime in the future, in the warmth, with dry clothes.…
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I noticed that Lloyd Cole was sporting that slightly tricky sartorial trend, double denim. Later in the set, Cole made reference to his outfit. He related a story about a visit to Austin, Texas, where at a honky tonk bar he observed “much younger women dancing with older men… who all wore double denim”. Much of Cole’s amusing onstage patter…
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