Leah Lombardi

Muse channel early fury while Arctic Monkeys, Queens of the Stone Age and Iggy Pop continue legacies at Rock Werchter 2023

Meanwhile relative newcomers Sam Fender, Nova Twins and Militarie Gun also impress.

10th July 2023, 5:08pm

The Murder Capital’s heartbreak and despair hits Manchester on Valentine’s Day

In the city of Joy Division and The Smiths it’s not hard to see how post-punk royalty are crowned - it seems inevitable that coronation awaits.

18th February 2020, 12:00am

slowthai, Pusha T and The Streets bring the party to a rain-soaked Parklife

The festival is more than capable of offering unique treats in an impressive array.

14th June 2019, 12:00am

Impeccable, immaculate and imposing: Anna Calvi obliterates Manchester’s Ritz

Nothing is secure, no one is safe.

10th May 2018, 12:00am

Run The Jewels show the quiet moments are just as important at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse

This impossibly talented juggernaut rolls on.

18th November 2017, 12:00am

The Horrors get iconic at intimate Liverpool date

Artfully dishevelled and shrouded in a thick fog, the frenetic figures of the band thrash through song after song, with no discernible trough or slowdown.

26th October 2017, 12:00am

Perfume Genius shows how he’s superstardom-bound at Manchester Gorilla

There’s not many more charismatic or enigmatic than Mike Hadreas.

11th June 2017, 12:00am

Run The Jewels entertain at euphoric Manchester Albert Hall gig

There’s a genuinely uplifting sense of togetherness as both revel in the friendship of each other.

4th May 2017, 12:00am

Soulwax act homecoming kings at Belgium’s Pukkelpop 2016

Bring Me The Horizon, The Kills and LCD Soundsystem also wow the crowds.

24th August 2016, 12:00am

Refused show they’ve lost none of their bite at furious Manchester show

The epicentre of a punk tornado.

24th March 2016, 12:00am

Interpol, Albert Hall, Manchester

Songs new and old are met with positive frenzy, and delivered with an effortless, but inch-perfect confidence.

2nd October 2015, 12:00am

Ought, Deaf Institute, Manchester

What’s really striking about Ought is the sheer timelessness of it all.

9th July 2015, 12:00am

Drenge, The Deaf Institute, Manchester

There’s something inherently loveable about Drenge.

23rd January 2015, 12:00am

Run The Jewels, Academy 2, Manchester

El-P and Killer Mike deliver every single time they have to.

15th December 2014, 12:00am

Parklife 2014

Parklife always seems to pull itself out of the mire and deliver something incredibly satisfying.

13th June 2014, 12:00am

Live Review

Nine Inch Nails, Phones4U Arena, Manchester

Trent Reznor and cohorts’ massive live show impresses in the North West.

29th May 2014, 12:00am

Paul Banks - Banks

There’s something dream-like about everything Banks puts out as a solo artist.

19th October 2012, 12:12pm

The Hives - Lex Hives

It would have been ambitious to expect true experimentation and evolution of The Hives’ sound.

2nd June 2012, 2:00pm

Alex Winston - King Con

The classically trained singer showcases her ability to belt out a good, old-fashioned catchy song.

5th March 2012, 7:01pm

Speech Debelle - Freedom Of Speech

It could be considered as slightly preachy, but it’s important to ask these questions.

10th February 2012, 12:02pm

Cass McCombs - Humor Risk

This album proves McCombs’ versatility and talent for story telling.

4th November 2011, 3:59pm

Peggy Sue - Acrobats

Nothing really grabs you like their last album.

19th September 2011, 1:04pm

Emmy The Great - Virtue

Brimming with purpose, clever lyrics and wonderfully grandiose backing vocals.

10th June 2011, 8:27am

CocknBullKid - Adulthood

The album has a retro girl band sound, with polished strings and assured girly vocals.

7th June 2011, 8:02am