Just Listen: Clean Cut Kid – Deafening
Clean Cut Kid – Deafening Words: Megan Berridge Clean Cut Kid could be poster boys for rock ‘n’ roll — the long hair and beards are starting to make more sense. Their pre-tour single, ‘Deafening’, kicks ass with razor-edge fuzz and electric attitude. I choked on my breath when Mike Halls sings the word ‘bullshit’. I … Continue reading
Live Review: King Nun, Valeras, and The Cascaders
King Nun, Valeras and The Cascaders Sound Food and Drink, Liverpool, 14th November 2018 Words and Photography: Gary Lambert Wednesday night in the basement of Sound on Duke Street saw King Nun playing only their second ever headline set, and, on behalf of Popped Music, I was happily sent along. Upon walking into the room, … Continue reading
Just Listen: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets – My Friend’s A Liquid
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets – My Friend’s A Liquid Words: Nick Bewes Like so many artists, I first heard the brilliant Psychedelic Porn Crumpets on BBC Radio 6 Music, being played by Tom Ravenscroft. At twenty to six in the evening. Since that moment in the car, I’ve invested in their two albums, ‘High Visceral Part … Continue reading
Just Listen: GURU – Customer Helpline
GURU – Customer Helpline Words: Megan Berridge From its title, you might expect ‘Customer Helpline’ to be something of a cyber-age track — an ornament decorated with stale, robotic lyrics and tinselled with soulless beeps and chimes. But it’s not. I was drinking a lukewarm cuppa-instant-joe and listening to Simon and Garfunkel on a damp … Continue reading
Live Review: Off The Record, Manchester 15-16 November 2018
Off The Record Various Venues, Manchester, 15th-16th November 2018 Words: Gary Lambert & Daniel Burton Photography: Gary Lambert The third edition of Off The Record saw the same format as previous years, with the focus of the event being equally across the two distinct elements of the festival. The conference is primarily for those who … Continue reading
Just Listen: Green Gardens – Change The Light
Green Gardens – Change The Light Words: Georgia-Mae Blackman What’s the danger of listening to new, interesting music? There’s no danger at all. Leeds art-pop band, Green Gardens are all sorts of fascinating, but beautiful. Newly released and highly anticipated single ‘Change The Lights’ is laced with funky riffs and breathtaking energy. The vocal ranges … Continue reading
Live Review: Deep.Sleep with Mayfare, Salsola and Able’s Army
Deep.Sleep, Mayfare, Salsola, Able’s Army The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle, 9th November 2018 Words and Photography: Sammy Sadler I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, I absolutely LOVE catching local bands, especially when they are coming to the end of a tour in their hometown. There’s an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement that clings … Continue reading
Just Listen: The Pale White – End of Time
The Pale White – End of Time Words: Georgia-Mae Blackman Newcastle based band The Pale White have yet again delivered another perfect alternative tune, ‘End Of Time’. This is the second single to be released out of their upcoming EP, ‘Take Me To The Strange’ – and it’s a stunning, catchy song which encapsulates their … Continue reading
Just Listen: Birch – Labor Fruit
Birch – Labor Fruit Words: Julia Grantham When my good friend Michelle Birsky of New York synth-pop band Birch got in touch asking me to review her latest single ‘Labor Fruit’, I hesitated briefly, but only enough to decide it was time to bring this track back to Popped Music. The place where I had discovered … Continue reading
Just Listen: Kidsmoke – Rising Sun
Kidsmoke – Rising Sun Words: Rob Connor 6 Seconds! I timed it. The sleepy ethereal opening of Kidsmokes’ ‘Rising Sun’ is 6 seconds, before it hits you with a gut punch of a guitar riff and sets off like a whippet straight out of the traps. That 6 seconds is the only respite you’ll get on … Continue reading
Live Review: The Third Wheel Tour, EBGBs 30 October 2018
The Third Wheel Tour E.B.G.B.S, Liverpool, 30th October 2018 Words: Daniel Burton Photos: Gary Lambert As soon as this tour was announced, I was buzzing from the thought of seeing three of the best prospects of this time all on the same bill. This tour really does show off what the UK music scene has … Continue reading
Live Review: Sam Fender – Liverpool
Sam Fender 6th November, The Shipping Forecast Liverpool Words: Elena Katrina Photos: Gary Lambert I’ve seen Sam Fender play live about 7 times now this year and none of them, until now, have been a headline show. I’ve been waiting for this since March – to see how his crowd reacts, to see how … Continue reading
Festival Review: 2Q Festival – Lincoln
2Q Festival Various venues, Lincoln, 3rd November 2018 Words and photos: Gary Lambert Lincoln, a relatively sleepy town famed for a cathedral, a castle and being in pretty much the middle of nowhere would not normally be the place you would head to early on a Saturday morning. Unless you lived somewhere in that particular … Continue reading














