Amongst his plethora of awards, Robbie Williams boasts the title of BRIT Icon, an honour only bestowed upon artists who have made a real and lasting impact on British culture. In 2016, Williams joined David Bowie and Elton John in this exclusive club. In 2024, bathed in the fading light of a beautiful July evening […]
Mother Vulture at Rough Trade, Bristol (Review)
“I saved Mother Vulture,” read the free pin badges on the merch table at Rough Trade Bristol—a heartfelt token of appreciation from a band deeply grateful for the unwavering support of their beloved fans. Back in late December, Mother Vulture fell foul of the unfortunate rite of passage impacting too many touring bands nowadays. Their van was not […]
Taking Back Sunday at O2 Forum Kentish Town, London (Review & Photos)
Counting Taking Back Sunday amongst the recent throwback revival of early 2000s rock is perhaps more complex than it first appears. The New York quartet are the sort of band that never entirely left the consciousness. Unlike their contemporaries, their last new music wasn’t 10 to 15 years ago, having continually but perhaps sporadically put out new […]
The Blackout at O2 Forum Kentish Town, London (Review)
While we lamented the death of the sub-£7 pint and considered the risk/reward of hauling our aging backs into the mosh pits, Welsh maverick sextet, The Blackout jumped around the stage like it’s still 2009, swirling microphones and chanting, “We are the children of the night, we are the children.” Maybe if we scream it back loud enough, […]
Poppy + Wargasm at KOKO, London (Review)
Would there be anyone, in 2014, on a YouTube deep-dive, stumbling across a sweetly spoken, surreal, and vaguely threatening young Poppy, who would have predicted the artistic direction that would lead to the packed balconies of a nu-metal show at KOKO? From the days of interviewing her plant and repeatedly saying her own name, she has […]
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes – Dark Rainbow (Review)
Straight out of the gates, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes set the sensual tone for Dark Rainbow. Gone is the frenetic punk of 2021’s energetic post-pandemic catharsis album Sticky. It’s in with the grown-up, the considered, and the confident sincerity. Three singles have already spawned from this long-awaited offering. ‘Man of the Hour,’ ‘Brambles’ and released mere days before […]
Don Broco at KOKO, London (Review)
With a trio of nights at KOKO, London, Don Broco drew their “Birthday Party” tour to a close, and we had a chance to check out the show on Dec. 18. Taking to the stage first, Ocean Grove from Melbourne, Australia, brought the energy early as they relentlessly stormed through their set, cramming in as many songs as they could […]
Daði Freyr at Pryzm, Kingston (Review)
Even the most seasoned giggoer may have had a bit of a shock walking into Pryzm Kingston on an unassuming Wednesday night. A cardboard cutout of Icelandic pop sensation Daði Freyr greeted me at the door, and at the bottom of the stairs, a Santa hat thrust was into my hands. The venue staff informed […]
Baddies at The Lexington, London
“Are you all standing one metre apart?” asked Michael Webster, the frontman of Baddies, after storming through the first couple of songs of their set. “We weren’t sure this was even gonna go ahead.” While the world outside worried about Coronavirus, a couple of hundred sweaty music fans were crammed into the upstairs room at […]
Thrice at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
Photos from Thrice at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on October 30.