It's April and that means it’s only one thing. It's a few months to festival season! This is also the only part of the year you're likely to strangle a genuine smile out of Northern Noise's Sophie Lea. After casting her eye over the Lancaster music scene last week, she now passes judgement on some the festivals on offer up here. It’s startlingly sad isn’t it, that after all that waiting for those precious, sun-kissed/cloud-bummed days of [INSERT FESTIVAL HERE], I spend the majority of the... Read more »
A Musician’s Guide To Using The Internet
March 30th, 2012 
SimonButcher A band’s virtual presence is more important than ever; particularly now as they have a myriad of options when it comes to social networking. Twitter, Facebook and YouTube spring instantly to mind, but if you overlook the likes of SoundCloud and Bandcamp you could be sabotaging your fan base before the play button is even pressed. Do tweets about something you just ate or the amount of ‘likes’ / ‘followers’ you amass really matter when it comes to music? Or should it just be about endorsing... Read more »
PREVIEW: Slow Club – The Ruby Lounge, Manchester 08/04/12
March 30th, 2012 SimonButcher Sheffield indie-folk duo Slow Club played a brilliant show at St Philip’s Church in the run up to Christmas last year. A rapt crowd looked on with reverence from the pews as second record Paradise was aired in an ornate setting. Now it’s your chance to jump around and make as much noise as possible as the two play Manchester’s Ruby Lounge on Sunday 8th April. The tour coincides with the release of recent single The Dog and sees them take in 20 dates. Despite coming out... Read more »
NEWS: The View Confirm UK Tour & Album Plans
March 29th, 2012 SimonButcher The View today confirmed their first UK tour in over a year. They’ll be coming to Manchester’s HMV Ritz on July 9th. Tickets will be available from Friday 30th March and are priced at £14. The tour will be a first chance to play material from upcoming fourth album, Cheeky For A Reason, which is set to be released on July 9th. Frontman Kyle Falconer described the new album as “Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours done by The Clash.” Cheeky For A Reason is being released via the band’s... Read more »
PREVIEW: Jodrell Bank Live feat. Elbow, Paul Weller + more, 23rd+24th June, 2012
March 29th, 2012 SimonBland As 2012's festival season fast approaches we here at Northern Noise begin scouring the interweb for the most exciting events that are not to be missed. Jodrell Bank Live is undoubtably one such event. Nestled in the heart of Cheshire, this unique outdoor event will see a handful of top-notch acts perform in front of the North's own Lovell Telescope. Headlining this year we have Manchester powerhouse Elbow topping the bill on June 23rd with musical icon Paul Weller performing the following evening with support... Read more »
