Live Review: The Wombats, Manchester
The Wombats Castlefield Bowl, Manchester, 7 July 2019 Words and Photos by Gary Lambert I truly believe that Castlefield Bowl is the greatest music venue on earth. Seriously! If you can find a venue that combines wonderful sight lines in the amphitheatre, easy access and egress, a remake of a Roman fort, a river, trains, … Continue reading
Just Listen: Amber Run – Affection
Amber Run – Affection Words: Elena Katrina Amber Run return with a cinematic masterpiece in new single Affection. As far as I am concerned this band is so underrated that it drives me crazy. With spectacular song-crafting skills and a delivery that can bring a person to tears. The single is an undulating track with … Continue reading
Just Listen: Larkins – Wallflower
Larkins – Wallflower Words: Elena Katrina With an enticingly haunting lyrical delivery and electronic beats and bleeps that push and pull, this latest single from Larkins is anything like its namesake. Wallflower is a track that pulsates and simmers; its guitar strings puckering and dissipating into the atmosphere while the bass trips the light fantastic … Continue reading
Festival Preview: Community Festival 2019
Community Festival 2019 Finsbury Park, London, 30th June Words: Gary Lambert Every summer there are more and more articles written about how the festival market is saturated and impossible to compete in. So what do you do in that market if you’re in the biggest, most competitive market in the UK? Well for the people … Continue reading
Festival Review: Neighbourhood Weekender 2019
Neighbourhood Weekender 2019 May 25th & 26th, Victoria Park, Warrington Words: Gary Lambert Photos: Elena Katrina Neighbourhood Weekender is undoubtedly one of the most divisive events in the summer music calendar. In fact, there are so many things about it which could turn the blood cold of many a music snob. But that is what … Continue reading
Just Listen: Swimming Girls – Pray In Silence
Swimming Girls – Pray In Silence Words: Gary Lambert Pray in Silence is the most beautiful release from Swimming Girls yet, and that owes a lot to the positioning of the vocals at the top of the mix in order to grant extra emphasis on the heartfelt lyrics. If I was new to Swimming Girls, … Continue reading
Just Watch: Little Grace – Silence
Little Grace – Silence Words: Elena Katrina OK so Little Grace isn’t quite the act that we would usually write about but there is no denying that their latest offering Silence has something special to its RNB flavouring – with tender moments of piano and a beautiful crackling, Silence strangely calls to me. There’s a … Continue reading
Festival Review: The Brighton Mix Up 2019
The Brighton Mix Up 2019 The Black Lion, Brighton Words: Nick Jacques Photos: Elena Katrina It was great to be back in Brighton again! I had missed its distinctive layout and large community feel, each trip always provided fun memories in this super friendly seaside town and on this occasion, yet again, Brighton delivered the … Continue reading
Festival Preview: Dot To Dot Festival 2019
Dot To Dot Festival 2019 Various venues Manchester 24 May 2019// Bristol 25 May 2019 // Nottingham 26 May 2019 Tickets Words: Gary Lambert Dot To Dot is not just one of the best metropolitan festivals or one of the best festivals for new bands, it is consistently one of the best festivals on the … Continue reading
Just Listen: LIFE – Moral Fibre
LIFE – Moral Fibre Words: Gary Lambert Do you have asthma? If so, before you listen to Moral Fibre grab your inhaler and have a big blast on it. This track is dangerous for you breathing; with a breakneck immediacy through the two minutes of sheer pleasure. Whether it is the rapid, fun guitar or … Continue reading
Live Review: Red Rum Club – Manchester
Red Rum Club 11 May 2019, The Bread Shed, Manchester Words & Photos: Gary Lambert If you have been reading Popped Music lately (and if you haven’t you’re very naughty), you will know that one of our favourite bands is Red Rum Club. The debut album, Matador, is an absolute cracker, but it is their … Continue reading
Festival Preview: Highest Point, Lancaster
Highest Point Festival Williamson Park, Lancaster 17-18 May 2019 Words: Gary Lambert Highest Point Festival is a relatively new addition to the north-west summer taking place in Lancaster at Williamson Park. Obviously, on a far smaller scale, the festival seems to be using Glastonbury as a role model with the event mixing a variety of … Continue reading
Festival Review: When In Manchester 2019
Festival Review: When In Manchester 2019 The Castle Hotel, Gulliver’s, and Night and Day Cafe, Manchester Words: Julia Grantham & Gary Lambert Photos: Gary Lambert Now in its third year of existence, When In Manchester festival delivered its fifth event last Easter weekend, and despite coinciding with the hottest Easter weekend on record, still managed to … Continue reading
Interview: Clean Cut Kid
Clean Cut Kid Words by Gary Lambert Photos by Gary Lambert Clean Cut Kid are a band who we have been with from the very start, so it was apt that we were able to catch up with them shortly after they had finished their afternoon headliner slot at Liverpool Sound City. With their grown-up … Continue reading
Festival Review: Liverpool Sound City 2019
Liverpool Sound City 2019 Various venues, Baltic Triangle, Liverpool, 4-5 May Words by Daniel Burton and Gary Lambert Photos by Gary Lambert Sound City 2019 was a festival that was approached with a cautious, tempered excitement. It felt like the organisers had made a bit of a gamble on the line up across the board … Continue reading
