American Football live review: a nostalgic celebration of a cult classic album

SWX Bristol, 13th September 2024 It was the first true moody, angsty, cold day of the year, setting the scene perfectly for a good, nostalgic Midwest emo show. I was shivering in my band hoodie and beanie on my way to SWX to see the legendary friends from Illinois who released a genre-defining debut LPContinue reading “American Football live review: a nostalgic celebration of a cult classic album”

Blossoms have mastered their sound with their triumphant new album, Gary

With four top 5 UK albums and countless sold-out headline shows under their belts, Stockport-born Blossoms are no strangers to the indie-rock scene. Whilst every Blossoms album has a distinctive sound, they have perhaps previously played it safe with fairly conventional, primarily guitar-based melodies; what is striking about Gary is Blossoms’ new, funky, synth-driven style. Continue reading “Blossoms have mastered their sound with their triumphant new album, Gary”

Hello Mary ‘Emita Ox’ review: bold, daring, and experimental

Oxen symbolise power, strength, and boldness, which are also qualities that define Hello Mary’s second album, Emita Ox. After the alt-rock trio’s self-titled debut was released to critical acclaim, they wasted no time and turned things up a notch. The result? An experimental, daring album and a strident step forward for the band.  There areContinue reading “Hello Mary ‘Emita Ox’ review: bold, daring, and experimental”

“Honestly, I would say all of this is real”: Wunderhorse on playing live, disconnecting from technology, and Midas

For some, Wunderhorse is a household name. For others, the response will be, “Who?”. As of right now, bubbling just beneath the surface of the mainstream contemporary rock scene, a band called Wunderhorse has been slowly rising, waiting for the moment to break through into their well-deserved mainstream fame. And after the release of theirContinue reading ““Honestly, I would say all of this is real”: Wunderhorse on playing live, disconnecting from technology, and Midas

Wunderhorse Midas review: a patchwork of images of a society hurtling towards dystopia

In 2022, Wunderhorse, then the solo project for frontman Jacob Slater, released their debut album, Cub. Filled to the brim with catchy, energetic rock, Cub put Slater into a very comfortable spot in the current rock landscape, earning him support slots for the likes of Fontaines DC and Declan McKenna. Paired with a burgeoning fanbase,Continue reading “Wunderhorse Midas review: a patchwork of images of a society hurtling towards dystopia”

Keane live at Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza review: a spellbinding, euphoric celebration of Hopes and Fears

Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza, 3rd August 2024 With it being 20 years since the release of their debut album, some may dismiss Keane as a time-worn band, superseded by newer alt-rockers. However, situated amongst the picturesque ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, and coupled with the slowly setting sun and a gentle summer breeze, Keane’s performance is etherealContinue reading “Keane live at Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza review: a spellbinding, euphoric celebration of Hopes and Fears

This Is How Tomorrow Moves review: a return down a well-trodden path

It has taken a while for beabadoobee, or 24-year-old Beatrice Laus, to find her sound. From the bedroom pop of her early EPs to the alternative grunge rock of Fake It Flowers to the potpourri of genres found on Beatopia, beabadoobee is no stranger to experimentation. But amidst the experimentation, she still maintained her signatureContinue reading “This Is How Tomorrow Moves review: a return down a well-trodden path”

Photography: Free Throw, Saturdays At Your Place, and Eat Defeat at Bristol’s Exchange

The Exchange, Bristol, 27th July 2024 In a really hot, sweaty, sold out Bristol Exchange, Free Throw and Saturdays at Your Place brought the Midwest Emo and Eat Defeat got things going with some classic punk pop…. from Yorkshire. The punters were down early, with virtually a full house taking in all 3 bands. TheContinue reading “Photography: Free Throw, Saturdays At Your Place, and Eat Defeat at Bristol’s Exchange”

Placebo at Bristol Sounds: a sold-out show of rock and roll madness

Bristol Sounds, Canons Marsh Amphitheatre, 28th June 2024 Prior to entry, we were informed that this would be a ‘no phones’ show, and we were encouraged to keep our devices in our pockets, and enjoy the show with our eyes, not our screens. This was something we were reminded of again about 10 minutes beforeContinue reading “Placebo at Bristol Sounds: a sold-out show of rock and roll madness”

Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us: a frustratingly underwhelming sophomore record

Gracie Abrams’ highly anticipated second album, The Secret of Us, was released on Friday 21st June. Since the release of her debut EP Minor in 2020, Abrams has solidified herself in the soft, ‘sad-girl pop’ scene through her emotional, yearning lyrics and her ethereal, gentle voice. Despite this, The Secret Of Us is not withoutContinue reading “Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us: a frustratingly underwhelming sophomore record”