Tag Archives: Manchester

Hot desking it in Nuevo Cottonopolis – examining John Robb’s continued belief in the power of rock ‘n’ roll

Do You Believe in the Power of Rock ‘n’ Roll? John Robb does, and I’ve got to realise in recent years that you don’t have to do quite so much preparation for a chat with this ever-entertaining Manchester-based, Fylde coast-born … Continue reading

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Vinny Peculiar / Common Hall / John Denton – Castle Hotel, Manchester

A return to Manchester’s Northern Quarter, and somehow my first visit to the Castle Hotel, and something of a showcase for three happening singer-songwriters at different stages in their… well, I’ll say careers, because they all deserve them. It’s a … Continue reading

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The Undertones / Neville Staple Band – Manchester Academy 2

You may well know how it is – weekend traffic on a second trip into Manchester in four nights taking its toll. For Haircut One Hundred on Wednesday, we let the train take the strain, but there’s always that worry … Continue reading

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Haircut One Hundred / Barbara – Manchester O2 Ritz

‘Then you suddenly smiled, you took me by surprise.’ There were miles of smiles on the sprung dancefloor of the Ritz on Whitworth Street West, Manchester, when Haircut One Hundred came to town on Wednesday night, these early ‘80s pop-funk … Continue reading

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A welcome return to Vinny Peculiar’s Counterculture Club – in praise of How I Learned to Love the Freaks

‘Say goodbye to the summer of love…’ There’s an autumnal chill in the air right now, but while the summer’s gone, I’m yet to tire of an album that’s provided a key part of my soundtrack these past couple of … Continue reading

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Keeley, Def Robot, Vincent Christ – Aatma, Manchester

Talk about nights that will stick long in the memory. My memory anyway. I’m pretty sure a few of the clientele present saw their photo streams the next day and wondered what the hell that was all about. But the … Continue reading

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Let me tell you about Sweden (and Denmark, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester …) – catching up with Hugh Cornwell

Early May sees the return of former Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell to the road for three more UK headline dates, celebrating last October’s acclaimed Moments of Madness LP. Following a 23-date nationwide tour late last year, he has shows in … Continue reading

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Journey to the Art of Darkness – talking The History of Goth with John Robb

Ah, the dreaded label. An integral part of music culture down the years, but an all too easy way to categorise, and often proving nonsense. Punk, post-punk, alternative, indie, indie pop, twee pop, shoegaze, soul, funk, jazz funk, heavy soul, … Continue reading

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Tally Ho to your New Modern Homes – The Chesterfields / The Amber List: The Talleyrand, Manchester

A new venue for me, and a cracking one at that. Initially set up as a bar with in-house art gallery and performance space, The Talleyrand – around four years on as a venue, give or take the odd break … Continue reading

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Way beyond The Implausible Man – crossing the Irish Sea with Adam Leonard and Invaderband

Prolific is the word that springs to mind when describing Adam Leonard’s output these last couple of decades. Head to his Wikipedia entry, missus, and you’ll see a stream of releases since 2003 debut LP, How Music Sounds, and he’s … Continue reading

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