Live Review : Lawnmower Deth + Ward XVI + Solitary @ Rebellion, Manchester on December 16th 2023

And so, we descend into my final gig of the year and what a year it has been… And my life being one of extremes, I have gone from Wednesday night at WARGASM on my ownsome to being out tonight with a vast swathe of people from Primordial Radio’s #PRFam. Well, I might not be a fan of Christmas but what better way to spend the festive period than with your mates, watching live music. The place is full of Santa hats and Christmas jumpers and even I, the Grinch, put on my Millie Manders and the Shutup Christmas jumper. But I’m more enamoured by the access all areas pass I’ve been given at (that’s a first, though I did not use it to its maximum potential).

Live Review : Wargasm + Dropout kings + Harpy @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on December 13th 2023

It doesn’t take too long as Harpy’s set gets underway for the whole venue to be filled with smoke and that mixed with red atmospheric lighting means it’s hard to make out what is happening on stage. What I can see is she is a girl after my own heart, absolutely rocking the long black hair, liquid eyeliner and PVC outfit. Described as industrial/ goth pop, her soaring vocals remind me a little of Cassyette with musical undertones not dissimilar to A Perfect Circle, and a strong message in songs such as ‘Swallow’, which is about turning pain into power when you suffer abuse at the hands of another.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Samantha18 December 2023O2 RitzWargasm, Dropout Kings, Harpy, O2 Ritz, Manchester, 2023, Live Review, Samantha Harwood, Darren BirchComment

Live Review : Therapy? + Bokassa @ Academy 2, Manchester on December 8th 2023

Out on a Friday night? Near Christmas? Yep, but I’m not going any closer to central Manchester than Oxford Road. I’m not mad (and I don’t want to get sent to Whamhalla)! We arrive just after tonight’s support band Bokassa have walked on-stage. It is quiet, much quieter than expected, so I’m guessing everyone is still in the pub or making their way over for our headliners. I’ve heard of Bokassa but am not sure I have heard them.

Live Review : Holding Absence + Thornhill + Dark Divine @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on November 22nd 2023

Arriving fashionably late as usual… what can I say I’ve only been back from Australia a week and jetlag has been kicking my ass… Dark Divine are already on stage and a small crowd are here to witness what this hard rock quintet has to offer. Visiting these shores all the way from Orlando Florida, Dark Divine formed in 2021, have recently toured with the likes of VV and Black Veil Brides and released their debut album “Deadly Fun” in September this year.

Live Review : Rival Sons + L.A. Edwards @ Academy, Manchester on October 18th 2023

Given I’d never heard of L.A. Edwards until April 2022, this is the third time seeing them play Manchester since then. Previously it has been with The White Buffalo at the O2 Ritz so tonight we are changing it up a bit. This show is sold out and when I arrive the place is quite empty but gradually fills up as they work their way through their 9 song setlist. The crowd are a mix of ages but definitely, and no real surprise, skewed more male than female and mostly middle aged (or should I say my age as another march around the sun looms), but treating themselves to this night of rock n’ roll.

Live Review : Combichrist + Megaherz + Janosch Moldau @ Club Academy, Manchester on October 4th 2023

Well tonight gets off to a strange start when security allow me in early and there is some sort of VIP reception underway. Feeling out of place in this small gathering of goths (not sure what the correct phraseology is there… flock, brood, cloud??) I am introduced to someone who I am clueless about, but who I suspect will be appearing on stage later. I’m thankful my Type O Negative beanie gives me some kudos but sidestep away from the action and head to the barrier…

Live Review : North Atlas + JACKALS + Telling Secrets @ Satan’s Hollow on September 28th 2023

Another first for me tonight, a gig at Satan’s Hollow and not just a gig, reviewing a gig no less. I haven’t stepped inside this venue since probably 2010/11 after Jilly’s Rockworld closed and those years have certainly flown by. I even got asked for ID last time I came here, though the Jilly’s membership card was the giveaway that I was definitely over 18 (and over 21, and over 30)!!!

Live Review : Highly Suspect + The Picturebooks @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on September 16th 2023

Well, I’m going to cut to the chase… the highlight of the night happens within the first hour. The Picturebooks, tonight’s support act are outstanding. I suspect the sizeable crowd that have already gathered at the earlier than normal time of 7pm, have anticipated this too. This dynamic duo from Germany have 6 album and having only ever heard them on the radio, it is a delight to see them tearing up the stage tonight with their blues/ rock n roll goodness.

Live Review : InMe + Brigade + Lost Romantic @ Club Academy, Manchester on September 2nd 2023

After what seems a severely long break away from reviews I am back, and tonight is a new venue to review in for me. Club Academy is almost completely empty on arrival and the first band are on at 7.30pm. Playing to a couple of people are Lost Romantic. Formed only last year this London duo (drummer and singer) state it’s their first time ever in Manchester.

Live Review : Pop Evil + Call Me Amour @ Rebellion, Manchester on May 5th 2023

It’s a unique occasion heading into Manchester tonight with my brother, given that he moved to Australia 15 years ago… but he introduced me to our headliners Pop Evil about 3 years ago and making the most of our time together is what memories are made of.

We arrive just before four-piece Call Me Amour take to the stage. The venue is already packed and having been asked to arrive on time to catch this band I am intrigued to see and hear what they are all about. Their website describes them as “mixing dark electronica and sonic guitars” and the energy on stage is infectious; they have the audience engaged from the get-go.

Live Review : Blackberry Smoke + Read Southall Band @ Academy, Manchester on April 2nd 2023

It’s been a while since I have been to a Sunday night sold out show at the Academy and the queue for the men’s toilets on arrival is a giveaway as to the make-up of the already packed venue. Read Southall Band are on stage and indulge us with a nine track setlist with songs from their 2021 album “For the Birds” and a few from 2017 album “Borrowed Time”. They are straight into the latest album’s title track and immediately I can see why these guys are on tour with Blackberry Smoke. They sound exactly as you would expect their support act to sound.

Live Review : Gojira + Alien Weaponry + Employed To Serve @ O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester on February 19th 2023

This is only my second time here at O2 Victoria Warehouse and I arrive just as UK heavy metal act Employed to Serve begin their set. This five-piece were formed in 2011 and with five studio albums under their belt, supporting the mighty Gojira on this tour must be a dream come true. They are noisy, angry and in your face, so they complement the rest of tonight’s line-up.

Live Review : Von Hertzen Brothers @ Night and Day Cafe, Manchester on February 1st 2023

Mid-week gig!?! Gulp. Turns out if you turn up fashionably late to a gig and there is no support band you don’t miss anything. Extraordinary… What is also extraordinary is I have never been to a gig at Night and Day Café until tonight. It is a sold-out show so it’s rather packed, but it is good to see a live act in such close quarters.

It is mostly a sea of middle-aged men amidst the glitter balls and red string lights (and I am already regretting getting my Covid-19 and flu jabs this afternoon). I don’t know if I am hot because of the vaccines or the fact it’s busy. The atmosphere is one of chilled anticipation and I’m looking forward to the show, even though I can only name one song by the band.

Live Review : Elvana + Unholey @ Albert Hall, Manchester on January 27th 2023

My first gig of 2023 and truth be told I am really not feeling it tonight. It is a major struggle to leave the house and I take with me some heavy thoughts but I arrive in time for the end of the Unholey set. Unholey are twin sisters Charlotte and Stephanie from Newcastle. I recognise them straightaway. They are the backing singers for Elvana and although they can sing, I have a rational (or irrational depending on your opinion) hatred of Hole, and anything associated with Courtney Love.

Live Review : Clutch + Green Lung + Tigercub @ Academy, Manchester on December 15th 2022

Well, this is going to be a bit different… I’m under pressure. This review is competing with the wonders of AI, artificial intelligence to be clear. A comment made during the Primordial Radio podcast this week has left me here and I wonder how I get myself into these predicaments. On next week’s podcast (live on Twitch 11am Wednesday 21 December) my claim that AI could not replace a gig review written by a human being will be put to the test. So, this review is going to be packed full of EQ to challenge the rise of machines…

Live Review : Soul Asylum + Everclear @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on November 11th 2022

I arrive just as Everclear have taken to the stage and start playing the vaguely familiar ‘So Much for the Afterglow’. In advance of this gig, I have been wracking my brains trying to name any of their songs, but I do recognise this. Evidently so do many of the crowd though I am surprised how quiet it is. The Ritz is not open upstairs and only about half full downstairs. A sign of the times perhaps? Or a sign of the levels of popularity for bands that have not released very much new music in the last decade?

Gig ReviewAuthor : Samantha15 November 2022O2 RitzSoul Asylum, Everclear, O2 Ritz, Manchester, 2022, Live Review, Samantha Harwood, Johann WierzbickiComment

Live Review : The Pretty Reckless + The Cruel Knives @ Academy, Manchester on October 27th 2022

I’m pretty sure I was only here five minutes ago… The queue for Academy 1 is ridiculously long, trailing all the way passed the Student Union and adjacent building, and I feel bad for walking straight to box office and in the door. The place is already really packed, and I wonder how everyone is going to fit inside. But no time to worry about that now, as in less than 24 hours I have gone from Knife Bride in Academy 2 to The Cruel Knives in Academy 1.

Live Review : Wargasm + Scene Queen + Knife Bride @ Academy 2, Manchester on October 26th 2022

My first thoughts on walking up to Academy 2 tonight are they really need to sort out the queuing. Again, there are two shows on tonight and although I have the privilege of walking straight in, so I don’t miss the support bands, I feel sorry for the first act, Knife Bride. They get to perform to a room that is only about a third full because everyone is still stuck outside.

Live Review : Cassyette + Kid Bookie @ Academy 3, Manchester on September 15th 2022

Walking up to the Student Union Building I can see a ridiculously long queue and am momentarily perplexed. I push my way to the front, noting the support band are due on in five minutes and as I enter the building can see swathes of young whippersnappers on their way to Academy 2 for something obviously less palatable than the delights on offer upstairs.

Within minutes Kid Bookie takes to the stage. It is loud, louder than any other gig I have been to in here for a while, heavy, obnoxious and sweary. Described as rap rock (also trap rock – anyone?

Live Review : Lonely the Brave + VLMV + The Throwaway Scene @ Academy 3, Manchester on September 9th 2022

Arriving late (I know there is a theme emerging) I only caught the end of The Throwaway Scene. The venue is quite empty, but it is early, and it has been a surreal day after the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth yesterday. This trio are rock/ emo comprising a rather smartly dressed singer, a bassist, and drummer. Having no guitarist is weird, so we get a stripped back sound, but it works; a mix of clear, angsty but energetically delivered vocals with a heavy accompaniment. They have recently added the video for ‘Conscience Alley’ to YouTube, so give them a listen.