fergal-kinney
‘We never wanted to become a Factory tribute band’: A Certain Ratio on mortality, Manchester – and Madonna
The massively influential band have been plying their blend of jazz, funk, post-punk and pop for 45 years. But as they release new album, the founding members are in no mood for nostalgia
Fergal Kinney
03, Apr, 2023 @10:10 AM
Gabriels review – brooding gospel soul with a shimmy and a stomp
The rising pop trio bring a cinematic quality to their live show, driven by charismatic vocalist Jacob Lusk, veering between moodiness and euphoria
Fergal Kinney
24, Oct, 2022 @10:37 AM
‘My dream had died’: XTC’s Andy Partridge on mental illness, battling the music industry and losing his muse
Forty years ago, XTC were riding high when Partridge had a breakdown and quit touring. As he releases a new archival EP, he discusses the troubled childhood and addiction that triggered it, finding refuge in the studio – and why he’s stopped writing songs
Fergal Kinney
20, Oct, 2022 @2:00 PM
Play that funky truncheon: the extraordinary tale of Mancunian buskers the Piccadilly Rats
With their haphazard songs and animal masks, the Rats were a busking phenomenon. After tragedy ended the band, a new documentary immortalises their story
Fergal Kinney
17, Oct, 2022 @7:00 AM
HER review – enigmatic star rocks, and sensuously rolls
The singer and multi-instrumentalist showcases her talents with terrific R&B songs as well as shredding Prince-style guitar solos
Fergal Kinney
03, Aug, 2022 @11:23 AM
Fred Again review – pop’s top producer steps out of the shadows
The low-key musician behind hits for Ed Sheeran and Charli XCX goes on tour with his own albums that tackle loss and lockdown
Fergal Kinney
22, Mar, 2022 @12:18 PM
Klein review – composer explodes convention into brilliant fragments
Straddling classical music and a clubby experimental sound, the Londoner’s expertly weird performance feels like falling through a trapdoor
Fergal Kinney
21, Jan, 2022 @12:55 PM
D Double E review – grime originator unites the generations
Despite inspiring grime’s biggest stars, this is only the first nationwide tour from the east Londoner – a victory lap that draws on decades of Black British music
Fergal Kinney
14, Dec, 2021 @11:44 AM
Jessie Ware review – steamy and scintillating grown up pop
Leaning into the disco sound of her last album and her older, understated R&B, Ware performs with fun and finesse
Fergal Kinney
03, Dec, 2021 @11:36 AM
Rina Sawayama review – superstar status cemented by pop’s politician
Albert Hall, Manchester
The British-Japanese singer finally performs the debut album she released during lockdown – and it’s a triumph of satire, chaotic genre-splicing and LGBTQ+ solidarity
The British-Japanese singer finally performs the debut album she released during lockdown – and it’s a triumph of satire, chaotic genre-splicing and LGBTQ+ solidarity
Fergal Kinney
10, Nov, 2021 @3:21 PM
Ryley Walker: 'Going two days sober was impossible since I was a kid'
He was hailed as the new Nick Drake, but addiction nearly destroyed him. Now he writes songs ‘in a state of joy’ and, after stacking shelves for minimum wage, has released his best work yet
Fergal Kinney
05, Apr, 2021 @12:30 PM
'She gold-plated songs': Denise Johnson, the voice of Manchester's dancefloors
Nineties bands in need of rave vocals looked to the late Johnson, whose rich, fiery voice alchemised their music into something else entirely
Fergal Kinney
28, Jul, 2020 @1:10 PM
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