There's so many bands out there vying for your attention, but why should you care about any of them? Well here's a feature to explain exactly that. We let each promising northern band we come across speak directly to you and sum up what makes them so special. We then give our verdict below, but share yours in the comments section. Today it's the turn of Manchester three-piece Velocets... Band Members Adam Walsh – Vocals/Bass Guitar Elliott Berriman – Vocals/Guitar Dom Allen – Drums What They Have To Say We’re Velocets, residing in the humble... Read more »
The Ultimate Rider: City Reign
February 16th, 2013 
SimonButcher Life on the road can be tough. You excitedly pile into the back of a car, squeezing in among amps and guitars, legs and arms stretched in all directions as though you’re trying to pull off a move banned from the Kamasutra. Get to the venue and then you’re usually housed in a dressing-room smaller than a toilet cubicle (and decorated with just as much graffiti) with a rider consisting of a few cans of lager to pump you up for the show… Manchester’s City Reign... Read more »
TOILET ART: The Blackpool Tourist Board
February 13th, 2013 DanielSavage Times are hard, and a lot of places are struggling. Blackpool, not only the home to one of our glorious editors, but the home to awesome things beaches, the tower, the illuminations and donkey rides. Not only that but at the end of last year we put on Nine Black Alps there. We're doing our bit for Blackpool's economy. But not enough it seems. Sadly I have no idea where this piece of toilet graffiti is from. I found it on my phone after a night of responsible... Read more »
NEWS: The Postal Service To Play Manchester Academy 2 in May
February 4th, 2013 SimonBland Big news for fans of The Postal Service. Ever since last month's reunion confirmation, UK fans have been eagerly awaiting news of a tour. Well today, they can un-clench their fists and breathe a sigh of relief as the electro-indie duo have revealed that they'll be playing Manchester Academy 2 on May 18th. The band, better known as Jimmy Tamborello and Death Cab For Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard will be playing only one more UK date at London's Brixton Academy on May 20th. These two... Read more »
GALLERY: Northern Noise Live – We The Dead w/ Narwhals & Kiera Lawlor
January 31st, 2013 SimonBland Last Saturday we returned to The Castle Hotel and once again our amazing photo man James George was there to capture the night's extraordinary events. For our first show of 2013, we picked three acts who we knew would be able to start our new year of shows with vigor, excitment and a healthy dose of buzz. NME touted Manc band We The Dead took the top spot of the night, with enigmatic duo Narwhals and Brummie-turned-Mancunian songstress Kiera Lawlor warming up the crowd. Here's... Read more »
