Tag Archives: Manchester

A man of Substance – the Peter Hook interview

  ‘I’m here now … sorry,’ read my text message, and after a couple of days struggling to locate Peter Hook, it seemed I finally had my chance. We’d missed each other a few times, but seeing as it was … Continue reading

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Clean Bandit / Starley – Manchester Academy

It’s official – there’s still life in pop music, 65 years to the week Al Martino topped the first official UK charts, judging by this winning Manchester tour finale. Granted, I can’t imagine Martino’s Here In My Heart or fellow … Continue reading

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Wind and Rain and Shine – the Graham Gouldman interview

Perhaps I should open with a few stats, seeing as today’s interviewee is associated with plenty that make for impressive reading. For starters, 10cc, the band Graham Gouldman formed with Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Crème in 1972, have … Continue reading

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Talking ’bout that Who generation – back in conversation with Richard Houghton

Did you happen to catch a band called The High Numbers in Greenford, West London, in 1963? They were regulars at the Oldfield Hotel around then, still playing there the following year, by which time they’d changed name to The … Continue reading

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After the pills ‘n’ thrills and bellyaches – the Rowetta interview

Legendary Madchester trailblazers Happy Mondays are set to return later this year for a 25-date UK and Irish tour, their Twenty Four Hour Party People Greatest Hits Show, with those November and December appearances marking the 30th anniversary of the … Continue reading

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Ron Sexsmith / Lori Cullen – Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester

Six nights after a horrified world faced the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing, there was proof of live music’s healing power when Ron Sexsmith and Lori Cullen visited nearby Oxford Road. Barely a mile and a half from the … Continue reading

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Absolute game on – reconvening the Skids: the Richard Jobson interview

While there’s inevitably a sombre undertone bearing in mind guitarist Stuart Adamson’s sad passing 15 years ago, it’s fair to say Richard Jobson is relishing the chance to relive his youth while charting new territory with a reborn Skids outfit. … Continue reading

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A Whole Lotta Zeppelin, with the Black Dog Orchestra

There’s a treat in store for Led Zeppelin fans next month, as Stairway To Heaven: Led Zeppelin Masters opens its UK run at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, prompting us to get the lowdown from this grand-scale production’s Aussie front-man, Vince Contarino. Four … Continue reading

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To Be Someone – Talking about The Jam with Den Davis

When a 1,500kg truck bomb was detonated in central Manchester in June 1996, the collateral damage included a vast collection of vinyl rarities belonging to Den Davis, collector and avid fan of The Jam. A few weeks passed before Den … Continue reading

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Back and Beyond with The Vapors – the Ed Bazalgette interview

  Ed Bazalgette was walking purposefully around central London one dark November afternoon when I caught him on the phone, searching for a quiet spot and a suitable cafe to conduct our interview. He clearly knows his way around, having … Continue reading

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