They poetically describe themselves as a “Tesco value Wolf Alice,” but having toured with Inhaler, played festivals such as TRNSMT, and featured on the converted Radio 1 Future Artists show, Scottish outfit Swim School are making waves with their style of indie-rock music. The three-piece commenced their tour with a sold-out show at Manchester’s Deaf Institute. Having entered an already packed venue, getting to the bar was impossible. I reluctantly assumed my viewing position for the evening and awaited the imminent arrival of Swim School. The music faded into the background, and t ..read more

Thursday night saw Australian pop-punk quartet Trophy Eyes closing out the UK leg of their tour at London’s jam-packed and intimate O2 Academy Islington.  Following the release of their emotional, contemplative 2023 album Suicide and Sunshine, it was apparent why the band created the music they did as the crowd joined their voices to the chorus, converting melancholy into intense passion and energy. Out of Love Opening first was UK-based punk band Out of Love, who kicked off a night filled with upbeat tracks. Their sound was gritty, reminiscent of Trophy Eyes’ older ..read more

Rating: 3.5 out of 5. In Lieu of Flowers, the third studio album from Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties, adds another chapter to West’s ongoing saga.  AW20’s previous two studio albums and EP took a personal approach to how West grappled with grief, loss, and divorce. What makes this group unique is that Aaron West is completely made up. He’s the brainchild of Dan Campbell (frontman for The Wonder Years) and grew out of a one-song experiment to see if a fictitious conceit could offer emotionally potent responses to life’s darkest moments.  AW20’s previous two studio albums ..read more

Last night, Miami’s Kaseya Center saw an electrifying convergence of pop royalty as Kim Petras made a surprise appearance alongside Madonna as a vogue judge, bringing a sensational end to Madonna‘s triumphant three-day takeover of the city for her highly anticipated The Celebration Tour. In a moment that left fans buzzing with excitement, Kim Petras shared the stage with the iconic Madonna, adding her own flair and expertise to the evening’s festivities. This special collaboration underscored the dynamic energy and boundary-pushing spirit of both artists. Those fortunate enough to attend wer ..read more

Having recently released their seventh studio album, Mountainhead, Everything Everything continued their tour in Manchester. It was the first of two sold-out nights at New Century before traveling to the UK and winding up in Australia. Support came in the form of Nottingham-based quartet The Divorce, who entered on stage to a surprisingly crowded venue early on in proceedings. A warm reception greeted the alt-country/grunge band as they launched into their first few tracks. An enthusiastic stage presence was stable throughout the set by female vocalist Tiger, who paced from lef ..read more

There was always a reason why, out of all 2010s pop-punk bands, Neck Deep lasted beyond just the viral TikTok song to skyrocket to success.  It was clear from the moment they took the stage for their biggest headlining (and sold-out) show to date at London’s Alexandra Palace that they were always meant for the bigger things. Throughout the night, the band easily incited the crowd into laughter, cheers, sing-alongs, and mosh pits to the back of the venue, using only their authentic casualness and infectious energy to back their catchy anthems. Drain Drain was the first op ..read more

Chris Shiflett is best known as the lead guitarist in Foo Fighters. Unless you are a fan, you may not know that he also makes fantastic solo music. Following the release of his solo album Lost at Sea, Shiflett toured the UK with his band, Fox Fagan on bass and Robert Jolly on drums. Willy CobbKezia Gill On Mar. 27, Chris Shiflett’s 2024 solo tour ended with a fantastic night at the Electric Ballroom in Camden. Willy Cobb and Kezia Gill supported him, and they were incredible to watch; they’re definitely acts to keep an eye on. A night watching Shiflett is always so much fun. He is a n ..read more

Rating: 3.5 out of 5. Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine puts the singer on a new plane and delivers her to a place she has never been before.  It is strikingly more mellow than any of her previous albums, and there is a noticeable lack of strain that had been present in the past. This “strain” does not speak for her vocals, which have always been effortlessly unmatched. Still, there is a discernible lack of the lavish, and at times needless, embellishment that was pervasive in her previous work. This speaks to her maturation, not just as a songwriter but as a human. It is cle ..read more

Fall Out Boy brought some new friends for a sold-out show at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, for the second round of their So Much For (2our) Dust Tour.  The line for the outdoor merchandise booth was wrapped around the corner of the vast complex before the doors even opened to let in the thousands of fans who were ready for this epic night.  Daisy Grenade The first band of the night was Dani Nigro and Keaton Whittaker, more famously known as Daisy Grenade. Despite such a short set of “Are You Scared Of Me Yet?,” “Cult Classic,” “Real Horror Show,” a remarkable cover of P ..read more

Outside of the yearly Jaņi Festival (Midsummer festival) that takes place at Catthorpe Manor, it is not often that the UK sees an act from Latvia playing in the country. Past standalone shows have included UK appearances from big names such as Carnival Youth, but the demand for Latvian artists to play their shows in the UK is definitely on the rise. This show by Sudden Lights was one of those in addition to the upcoming UK appearances by Prāta Vētra (Brainstorm) and the legendary Latvian rapper OZOLS. Forming in 2012, Sudden Lights have recently gained momentum internationally by representing ..read more