The second set of the Manchester Jazz Festival 2014 final night’s headline event at the Thwaites Pavilion saw a high octane, adrenaline pumping, almost frenetic show from the Hackney Colliery Band. Having made their way on to the stage by processing through the...
As Manchester Jazz Festival 2014 entered into its final weekend, it seems almost fitting that it did so with an explosive night of big band jazz, courtesy of the impressive Beats & Pieces Big Band. Beats & Pieces Big Band are rapidly becoming the stand out...
The last time we saw Kristyna Myles perform was at the launch of her debut album Pinch Me Quick! at the Deaf Institute - that itself was a great gig. At the Manchester Jazz Festival 2014 she proved again what an outstanding talent she is, as she put on another...
Mancunian favourite Arun Ghosh made a triumphant return home to perform at the Thwaites Festival Pavilion at Manchester Jazz Festival on Saturday 19th July. In a performance split over two sets, he showcased his recent South Asian Suite in the first set, before...
It has been 35 years since Rapper's Delight became the first breakthrough rap song, paving the way for countless acts to follow. In that time The Sugarhill Gang have seen their material become some of the most sampled, a fact which they are acutely aware of. After...
Country music twins Ward Thomas made a barnstorming return to Manchester on Wednesday evening with an excellent show at The Castle. For anybody who has ever watched Hart of Dixie, you’ll appreciate that at times it was just like being at the Rammer Jammer (for...
If you are a fan of dance and went to the Lowry Theatre to see Flashmob this past week, then I’m sure you weren’t disappointed! Flashmob: Where Dance Worlds Collide was a fantastically energetic performance, bringing together a wealth of talent and an eclectic mix of...
We'd heard the tales of the riotous gigs which The Orwells put on, where the rules go out the window, and everybody just cuts loose in a frenzy of raucous fun. Now was the time to put this to the test, to see whether their live gigs were quite as mental as we'd been...
Cards on the table, I’m a Gabriella Cilmi fan. I’d wanted to see her live for a long time but circumstances continually conspired against me – even snow and ice got in on the act one time to prevent me from seeing her. So when this tour was announced I was on the...
The Last Days of Troy, written by Simon Armitage, whom most people will know for his award winning poetry, takes Homer’s classic poem, The Iliad and fuses it with Virgil’s Aeneid, to create a truly dramatic depiction of the story of the final days of the Trojan War....
Last night we headed off to the RNCM to watch internationally acclaimed vocalist, David Serero’s One Man Musical - and what a show it was! Arriving on the Studio Theatre stage looking rather dapper, wearing a suit and a huge smile, the 32 year old French Baritone...
If you are not familiar with Kristyna Myles' music – you need to be! We were fortunate enough to attend Kristyna’s album launch at the Deaf Institute and were left in absolutely no doubt as to her amazing talent. Three fantastic bands and artists supported the...
Last night, we had the pleasure of watching one of Shakespeare’s best comedies, Much Ado About Nothing, brought to the Royal Exchange Theatre by Maria Aberg, who is making her Royal Exchange directing debut. Originally set in 16th century Messina, Italy, a somewhat...
In the lottery of life, Nina Nesbitt hasn’t done too badly at all. At the age of 19, she’s an experienced gigger, launched her debut album, Peroxide, scored an army of fans, she’s certainly got the looks and style and she’s definitely got the talent to match. Almost a...
Grammy Winner plays the Ruby Lounge. Appearing before a sell-out crowd at The Ruby Lounge, Foxes walked on stage to give an honest and genuine performance from an up and coming star, clearly filled with amazement and joy at the crowd cheering before her. The fact...