Spike Island: The Resurrection

Spike Island: The Resurrection At this moment in time, a trip back in time to the 1990’s doesn’t seem too bad an idea. No pandemic, no face masks, no allegations of Tory sleaze! A step back into time to the so called, “Second Summer of Love” may be something we could all do with… well […]

Everything I know, I Felt. The Lowry

Last night saw the opening of a new, exciting, vibrant exhibition at the Lowry called Everything I Know, I felt. Put together by Girl Gang Manchester. The collective of 21 artists, activists, academics and self confessed party instigators have banded together to create an interactive exhibition which they hope will be fun, powerful, but most […]

The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel

The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel: The Unity Theatre, Liverpool Writer: Paul Hunter Director: Paul Hunter Reviewer: Matthew Forrest 4 Stars. Depeche Mode once informed us that we should Enjoy the Silence: sound advice for the modern age and a rather accurate summary of the Told by an Idiot theatre company’s production: […]

The Woman in Black – nationwide tour

Writer: Susan Hill Adaptation: Stephen Mallatratt Director: Robin Herford 3 ½ stars The desire to be scared out of our wits shows no sign of waning. Last year saw the first national tour of a theatrical adaptation of The Exorcist, and this year the hit play Ghost Stories is on tour. As well as being […]

Thumper preview – 27.2.20 at Night People

What’s better than a band with three guitars? Of course, the answer is four guitars! The excess doesn’t just stop there as the band have two drummers as well. Thumper have gone for it straight, creating a fearsome wall of noise – I’ve no doubt they’re preparing themselves for the leap from pubs and clubs, […]

Q&A with Jeremy Dyson for Ghost Stories UK

There is something a little strange, a little spooky hitting theatres across the UK this year. Something that will expose your biggest fears and fill your every thought with dread and terror! Don’t worry – it’s not Brexit : The Musical; it is Ghost Stories! From the twisted minds of the show’s creators, actor/writer […]

Carson McHone. 29.01.20

Carson McHone Gorilla, Manchester 29/01/20 Country music is on the rise in the UK and despite not getting a huge amount of radio play over here, Country stars from across the pond regularly play at sold out venues, with little, if any, fanfare. Tonight in Manchester, 100 yards apart, Sturgill Simpson is at the O2 […]

Harrison Whitford – 17.1.2020

Harrison Whitford – Gorilla, Manchester, 17/01/2020 It’s a great feeling to dust off the cobwebs, get over the Christmas bloat, get out, and see some live music. As it is a new year, it’s only fitting that I should go out and see a fresh, exciting, emerging talent and Harrison Whitford fits the bill. The […]

Sean McGowan 14.12.19

Seán McGowan – The Castle, Manchester, 14.12.2019 Reviewer: Matt Forrest 48 hours removed from the most depressing election result in recent memory, and it was a good feeling to be out with likeminded people, and to know that not everyone out there is a self serving c*nt. That is why what Seán McGowan achieved tonight […]

Babybird – 29.11.19

Babybird – Deaf Institute 29/11/19 Reviewer: Matthew Forrest There was a lot to admire about tonight’s Babybird gig. First and foremost, in Stephen Jones you have a performer comfortable in his surroundings, so comfortable in fact that he clearly doesn’t give a toss, what you, I, or anyone else thinks. And quite frankly the night […]