Tag Archives: Manchester Academy

The Undertones / Hugh Cornwell – Manchester Academy 2

How I’ve missed this. My 13th live outing since last July’s return following the pandemic shutdown, and the biggest venue faced so far. And while until now I’ve stuck to smaller, trusted venues, this was a blast from beginning to … Continue reading

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Still living the Impossible Dream – the Bez interview

Four decades after crossover indie/dance combo Happy Mondays set out on their initial adventure, and 30 years after their biggest-selling LP, the legendary Manc outfit have announced a marathon greatest hits tour for October, November and December this year. And … Continue reading

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Out of the shadow of Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine – the Jim Bob interview

Don’t expect hyperbole when talking to Jim Morrison. Despite that rock star name, this was never an artist seemingly at ease at being on pop’s top table. In fact, he’s been known throughout his career as plain Jim Bob; not … Continue reading

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Mott the Hoople ’74 – Manchester Academy

Five decades after his initial Mott the Hoople recordings, it’s fair to say Ian Hunter knows a fair bit about live presence and was certainly on sparkling form in Manchester for this Class of ‘74 reunion. What’s more, fellow survivors … Continue reading

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Playing the mind guerilla – back in touch with Wilko Johnson

Five years after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, R’n’B guitar legend Wilko Johnson is still very much with us, in the form of his life, and more than happy to talk about the power of rock’n’roll and survival against all … Continue reading

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Getting to know a Good Thing – having a proper parlez with Paul Young

Paul Young was having a chinwag with his good friend and ‘father of the Italian blues’ Zucchero Fornaciari in a hotel room in the capital when I tracked him down, ahead of a Royal Albert Hall date for the latter. … Continue reading

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Further Adventures of The Wonder Stuff – the Miles Hunt interview

Miles Hunt was taking a break from archiving material in the studio when I caught him on the phone at his rural Shropshire base, not far from his Black Country roots. “Not so far at all. It’s still Midlands, innit”. … Continue reading

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They Might be Giants – Manchester Academy 2

Ever tried explaining They Might Be Giants to anyone not in the know? I have, and strongly advise that you shouldn’t bother. Just give people links to a few tracks and let them work it out for themselves. I’m guessing … Continue reading

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Instant karma, Chameleons Vox style – the Mark Burgess interview

It’s difficult to get over to the younger indie kids how important BBC Radio 1’s John Peel Show was during the latter decades of the 20th Century. But I was hoping Mark Burgess could help, the front-man and bass player … Continue reading

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Buzzcocks Going Steady – the Steve Diggle interview

To get the right tone for a feature, I love to find a little footage or play a song that best sets a scene. And with this week’s interviewee, I was spoiled for choice. Would it be rare footage of … Continue reading

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